Dan Hooker, a UFC lightweight contender, hosted a 32-man open-weight “One Minute Scraps” tournament in his New Zealand backyard on May 24, 2025. Facing criticism from local media and boxing officials who demanded legal action, Hooker defended the event’s safety and organization in an interview with The Mac Life, highlighting its success and minimal injuries.
Born June 24, 1989, in Auckland, New Zealand, Dan Hooker debuted in the UFC in 2014, building a 24-12 record. Known for his striking, he trains at City Kickboxing with fighters like Israel Adesanya. Hooker won three straight fights, including a decision over Mateusz Gamrot at UFC 305 in August 2024, but a hand injury forced him out of a planned bout against Justin Gaethje at UFC 313 in March 2025.
During his recovery, Hooker organized the backyard tournament, showcasing his passion for combat sports while sidelined from the octagon.
Tournament Details and Execution
The “One Minute Scraps” event, held on May 24, 2025, featured 32 amateur fighters competing in 60-second bouts with MMA gloves, no weight classes, and a $50,000 prize for the winner. Sponsored by “The Doctor,” a New Zealand gambling figure, the tournament completed 30 fights in an hour, as Hooker told The Mac Life: “It ran smooth, not a single issue.”
Hooker ensured safety, stating:
“We had one fighter hurt his arm punching someone else. And that was the most serious injury we had for the day.”
All participants received $1,000 for competing, per Hooker’s Instagram post.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DKGonSIyJ2E/
Safety Measures and Backlash
Hooker emphasized precautions, saying:
“Of course I had judges, of course I had medics. Of course I medically checked all the boys and had that all cleared.”
He consulted local authorities to comply with New Zealand’s Boxing and Wrestling Act of 1981, which loosely regulates amateur MMA events, ensuring legal clearance.
Despite this, local media and boxing officials criticized the event, with some calling for Hooker’s arrest. He dismissed them, noting,
“Some old boxing heads watched the same Instagram videos as everyone else and they just made assumptions.”
He argued their criticism inadvertently promoted the event, landing him in national and Australian newspapers.
Hooker addressed the media’s reaction, saying:
“We had sensationalist journalists just running with it.” He found humor in their portrayal, adding, “I’m sitting at home in my frog PJs with my daughter saying ‘Yeah, I’m a real thug, mate.’”
The backlash stemmed from misunderstanding the event’s amateur nature and safety protocols.
He plans to release full footage via The Mac Life, believing it will show the event’s professionalism, stating:
“Once you watch the whole thing, I think then people will really have to eat their own words and shut up because they’ll see how cool it was.”
Hooker organized the tournament after attending a similar event in Thailand, explaining to The Mac Life:
“I saw the format of 32 fighters and how to win — one-minute fights — and I thought a super heavyweight event in New Zealand would be absolutely incredible.”
His injury hiatus inspired the event, keeping him engaged in the sport.
The tournament’s success has sparked interest in future events, with Hooker hinting at additional “One Minute Scraps” legs, though no dates are confirmed. The event’s highlight reel, shared on social media, showcased intense knockouts, drawing global attention.
The “One Minute Scraps” tournament has divided opinions, with some praising its raw energy and others questioning its safety. Hooker’s defense underscores his commitment to combat sports in New Zealand, where he has faced training challenges due to past COVID-19 restrictions.
