Dan Hooker is set to host another controversial Dan Hooker backyard female fight event in New Zealand this Sunday, drawing international attention after revealing the competition features 32 women, no weight restrictions, and a massive $50,000 prize. The inclusion of a 396-pound fighter and Hooker’s unapologetic approach has triggered heated debate among fans, officials, and critics about the safety and ethics of the spectacle.

Known for pushing boundaries inside and outside the cage, UFC athlete Dan Hooker continues his foray into unsanctioned combat sports events, now focusing the spotlight on women fighters. Following the raucous response to his previous backyard bouts, Hooker’s next installment raises the stakes, blurring lines between innovation and recklessness in the landscape of New Zealand sports entertainment.

Unorthodox Format Draws Immediate Controversy

This upcoming event—hosted at Hooker’s backyard—deviates from conventional structures by discarding weight classes. Thirty-two women will battle for the $50,000 prize under rules that allow any competitor, regardless of size or fighting background, to enter. During an interview with Submission Radio, Hooker outlined his approach to securing participants:

“When I landed back in New Zealand yesterday, I sorted it all out. So, I got my 32, my 32 girls all locked in. Then you sort it out, everything’s good to go. So this Sunday, sh—will be going down.”

—Dan Hooker, UFC Lightweight

Adding to the chaos, Hooker described how he intentionally amplified the event‘s provocative nature compared to the previous gathering.

“More, more, I was feeling like this wasn’t controversial enough, so I’ve turned up the controversy. There’ll be a lot… there’ll be plenty of controversy.”

—Dan Hooker, UFC Lightweight

The open format has specifically drawn fire after Hooker confirmed that one of the entrants weighs 180 kilograms—approximately 396 pounds. This dwarfs the official UFC heavyweight limit by more than 130 pounds and has sparked outrage among observers questioning both fairness and safety standards. Hooker’s candid acknowledgment of the staggering weight gap included a telling anecdote:

“I think 180 kilos is my heaviest.”

—Dan Hooker, UFC Lightweight

He went on to explain how, in previous events, contestants often misrepresented their actual weight, hinting that this could be occurring among the female participants as well:

“Yeah like considering, or I had all the guys come in and pretty much all of them f— lied about their weights, and one of them said like, ‘Yeah, I’m 180 kilos,’ and then he showed up like 205 kilos. Like most of the guys, everyone’s underselling it. So I assume the ladies are swinging way under what they actually are.”

—Dan Hooker, UFC Lightweight

Backlash Intensifies with Community and Media Involvement

Reactions to Hooker’s backyard fight events have been polarizing. The first One Minute Scraps, held in May, drew sharp criticism from boxing officials, local authorities, and media. Reports cited the participation of individuals from nine New Zealand gangs and labeled the affair as bordering on “thuggery.” Despite these headlines, Hooker has maintained that safety was never compromised and pointed out meticulous preparations for each bout.

During a discussion recapping the first event’s outcomes, Hooker provided assurances regarding injury rates and event management:

“It ran smooth, not a single issue… We had one fighter hurt his arm punching someone else. And that was the most serious injury we had for the day. Bumps and scrapes, like everyone came and funned it up. And win, lose, or draw, everyone carried themselves real well.”

—Dan Hooker, UFC Lightweight

Nevertheless, the event set off alarms among observers who see these unsanctioned matches as dangerous and difficult to regulate. Hooker addressed this skepticism and media coverage directly, emphasizing his personal life far removed from the criminality implied:

“Some old boxing heads watched the same Instagram videos as everyone else and they just made assumptions… Sheer f—–. I’m sitting at home in my frog PJs with my daughter saying, ‘Yeah, I’m a real thug, mate.’”

—Dan Hooker, UFC Lightweight

Hooker also detailed steps he says he took to prioritize participant welfare. He stated that medical staff, judges, and pre-fight medical checks were integral—measures introduced to address ongoing safety concerns from critics, boxing officials, and sports commissions. Still, the radical format, unregulated weight differences, and the inclusion of exceptionally heavy participants have only intensified scrutiny by those questioning whether these events violate the spirit, if not the law, of responsible sportsmanship.

The Future of Hooker’s Events and the Divide Among Observers

With his notoriety on the rise, Dan Hooker’s latest backyard female fight event is poised to further divide the athletic community. The recurring presence of controversy is now a hallmark of the “One Minute Scraps” series. Supporters argue that the format represents pure, fast-paced entertainment and a bold reimagining of combat sports, while detractors warn of escalating risk and blurred ethical boundaries.

For now, the event’s roster of 32 women, including a 396-pound competitor, is locked in. Safety protocols are reportedly in place, yet the lack of regulatory oversight leaves lingering questions. As Hooker channels criticism into a defiant embrace of controversy, eyes across New Zealand and the global fight community are focused on what transpires this Sunday.

The outcome of this Dan Hooker backyard female fight event will likely determine whether these unsanctioned spectacles multiply or if backlash from boxing officials, community leaders, and health advocates force them out of existence. Whether Hooker’s approach signals a cultural shift in combat sports, or remains a flashpoint of debate, depends on how far both competitors and critics are willing to go.