UFC CEO Dana White may have found a new prospect! Darren Jason Watkins Jr, known as ‘IShowSpeed’ or just ‘Speed’, recently left the UFC boss and the MMA fandom in shock with his grappling skills. One of the biggest names in the world of streaming and a massive internet personality, Speed currently has 27.8 million subscribers on YouTube.

His opponent for this clash? Adin Ross, another notable name in the streaming world currently has 1.3 million followers on the platform, ‘Kick’. The two squared off inside a cage at the recent ‘Fanatics Fest’ event with Dana White acting as the referee who got the match underway.

While fighters usually reserve backflips as a way to celebrate after their fights, Speed decided to start off the fight with a flip drawing a massive wave of cheers from the crowd. He quickly dragged Ross to the ground before taking his back and wrapping his arms around his neck forcing Ross to tap out. Climbing the cage to a wave of applause ‘Speed’s grappling skills have drawn an outpouring of responses from the fans online! Here’s a look at what the online community had to say.

‘Speed’ and his MMA skills draw a call from the fans for Dana White to get him to an “MMA gym”

Fans claimed that Speed’s grappling skills reminded them of Charles Oliveira, the former UFC lightweight champion. ‘Do Bronx’ has tapped out names like Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje with the rear-naked choke, the same move that Speed unleashed on Adin Ross albeit not as cleanly as the Brazilian!

“close enough welcome back charles oliveira”

Others clamored for the UFC boss to convince Speed to get into an MMA gym due to his athletic prowess which was on full display in the clip. The streamer was recently in the news for sharing a video of himself jumping over two cars on his livestream but there are also eyebrows being raised about the video’s legitimacy. But the takedown and back-take over Adin Ross at ‘Fanatics Fest’ was real enough!

“Get him in an MMA gym now. Athletically gifted”

Meanwhile, some fans cheekily claimed that Speed has shown enough skills to be able to take on Islam Makhachev, the current UFC undisputed champion and P4P no.1 fighter on the planet. The Dagestani champion has only lost once in the UFC, all the way back in 2015. Since then, Makhachev has become one of the most dominant forces in the promotion, so Speed may have to take it slow if he decides to give in to the fan’s demands!

“I’ve seen enough give him makhachev”

Nevertheless, some keen-eyed viewers weren’t impressed with the technique on display as they pointed out that Speed’s rear-naked choke wasn’t “locked in”. Despite the rough technique, the strength behind the move was evident as Ross was unable to break free and had no choice but to submit.

“That sh*t wasn’t even close to locked in”

But not all the fans were on the same page as some indicated that the influx of internet personalities and “influencers” to MMA would be detrimental to the sport. Do you agree with this sentiment?

“well lets hope this sport dont turn into influencer clown show like boxing”

Some fans even pointed out that Speed actually had some idea of what he was doing as he didn’t forget a key component of securing someone’s back: putting your hooks in which means using your legs to secure yourself on their back and controlling their posture.

“bro actually put his hooks in n sh*t”

While some fans are excited about the potential of seeing a new face with raw athletic talent enter the sport, others remain skeptical about the growing influence of internet personalities in MMA. Whether Speed’s grappling skills were a genuine display of potential or just a fun moment of entertainment, it’s clear that his performance has left a mark.

Do you think the UFC and Dana White should open up the UFC’s doors for fights between influencers like boxing? Why or Why not? Let us know in the comments below!