Dan Hooker stressed professional referees and medical staff were in attendance. Photo: youtube
Kiwi mixed martial arts fighter Dan Hooker has vowed to stage more backyard fights in future.
The UFC lightweight last weekend hosted 32 men at his Auckland home for a 'one-minute scrap' tournament with a $50,000 cash prize.
He's just released the full video of the event on Youtube, showcasing 30 fights in less than an hour.
The event has drawn heavy criticism from both the public and boxing pundits, as well as attracting police attention.
Speaking on the Ariel Helwani Show, Hooker questioned the backlash.
"There's a few lefties having a sulk, but once everyone watches the full 45 minutes and sees the respect for the fighters, since when did putting gloves on in the backyard and having a punch up become illegal?" he said. "Since when is that a crime?"
Hooker stressed that professional referees and medical staff were present.
"It's being run by some of the most experienced combat sports people in the country. Once they watch the whole thing, they will just be, like, 'Oh, it doesn't matter, it's not that big of a deal'."
Dan Hooker claims the only major injury was to a fighter's arm, while others were put through concussion protocols. Photo: youtube
"I knew that everyone would think it was crazy, I knew there would be people who would have issues with it. I wanted it at my house, so i could control it.
"I had some amazing people step up to the plate and make it all run smoothly."
Hooker said the only major injury was to a fighter's arm.
"There were a couple bumps, a couple scrapes, obviously a few of the boys were run through concussion protocol."
With a three-second knockdown rule and two knockdowns ending the bout, Hooker believed his event was actually safer than boxing.
"These boys are a lot less banged up."
All fighters were given a $1000 cash bonus and, combined with the grand prize, a total of $82,000 was awarded.
The bouts were fought under a three-second knowdown rule or two knockdowns ending the contest. Photo: youtube
Hooker said this was funded through clicks.
"People on the internet want wild new content clips and that pays for the $50,000 for the winner."
While he initially planned for just a one-off event, Hooker has been driven by the critics to host another.
"Now you've challenged me. I was going to leave it, but now there are people trying to stop me - now I am honourbound and forced to pursue it.
"I'm just a man with an iphone and a dream. I didn't know it would go that good, so we'll do another one definitely this year."
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