IShowSpeed gets beaten up during New Zealand livestream

CJ Published November 25, 2024

YouTuber Darren “IShowSpeed” Watkins almost got knocked out during his livestream tour through Australia and New Zealand, with a UFC fighter beating him up in a gym sparring session.

During his international tours, IShowSpeed loves to test his physical prowess and try out different sports. Known for attempting a backflip world record and racing other streamers, IShowSpeed has become known for his physical abilities. While in New Zeland, the streamer decided to challenge UFC lightweight Dan Hooker after taking on other combat athletes like Manny Pacquiao.

However, this fight didn’t go exactly as planned. The UFC fighter tenderized him thoroughly with body shots, causing the YouTube star to crumble to the canvas.

IShowSpeed loses fight during New Zealand livestream

It seems like IShowSpeed has grown quite confident during his traveling. Not only has he beaten a bunch of streamers and artists at short sprints, but IShowSpeed has even gone up against fighters and left largely unscathed.

IShowSpeed showed up at City Kickboxing feeling quite cocky.

“Nobody in here can beat me at boxing,” he initially announced.

When Hooker stepped up to the challenge, IShowSpeed seemed to take back his earlier statement. He told everyone at the gym that he can’t break any bones due to his livestream having to continue on. He did add, however, that he still wanted to go at it and Hooker did just that.

UFC fighter Dan Hooker beats up IShowSpeed during world tour

Dan Hooker is a UFC veteran who competes in the lightweight division. When Hooker crossed paths with IShowSpeed, he was a veteran of 22 UFC fights to that point with a 14-8 record.

Unlike some of the aforementioned fighters, Hooker didn’t hold back quite as much. While he still took it easy on IShowSpeed, it was a very one-sided affair. During the fight, Hooker hit IShowSpeed in the liver, causing the streamer to double over in pain. Once he recovered, IShowSpeed managed to land a hit on Hooker, who responded with a series of punches that had the streamer collapsing once again.

While he definitely lost the fight, fans admired his tenacity as well as his skills for being untrained. Getting a few punches in and also being able to block some incoming hits while holding his ground won respect from some onlookers.

This is why fans are also hoping that IShowSpeed will actually qualify for sprinting events at the Olympics if he takes the next four years to train seriously.