(Video) IShowSpeed Gets Humbled as UFC Star Vanessa Demopoulos Submits Streamer Thrice in 3 Minutes

UFC strawweight contender Vanessa Demopoulos submits popular influencer IShowSpeed three times in a viral sparring video.

(Video) IShowSpeed Gets Humbled as UFC Star Vanessa Demopoulos Submits Streamer Thrice in 3 Minutes

Vanessa Demopoulos submits IShowSpeed (via Pubity, Instagram)

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In recent years, the line between combat sports and online entertainment has blurred a lot. These collaborations, often staged for content, highlight both the skill gap between amateurs and elite athletes as well as the growing crossover appeal between MMA and digital culture. Such was the case when popular influencer IShowSpeed tried to spar UFC strawweight Vanessa Demopoulos.

Currently, IShowSpeed, whose real name is Darren Watkins, is traveling across the United States on his America Tour, producing viral moments in nearly every city he visits. Speed has been creating content that spans music, gaming, and live public appearances. As part of this ongoing tour, he reached Las Vegas, and his stop at the UFC Performance Institute created a highlight for his stream.

During his time at the UFC PI, Speed met many UFC fighters and was guided by top UFC middleweight Caio Borralho. However, he met Demopoulos for a sparring session and got obliterated by her. Demopoulos, who made an unconventional move to MMA after previously working as an exotic dancer, used the opportunity to showcase her high-level grappling pedigree.

The session saw Demopoulos secure three separate taps from Speed using classic MMA techniques. Among them were a triangle choke, a head-and-arm choke, and an armbar. After the sparring session, Watkins seemed shocked by how easily the strawweight contender could take him down and control him in the Octagon. However, Demopoulos, on the other hand, was impressed by his humble nature.

Demopoulos, who made headlines for her transition from exotic dancing to MMA, has had a pretty rocky UFC run since her debut in 2021. Known for her quirky personality and active social media presence, Demopoulos has become a fan favorite. While she faced a loss in her UFC debut, she quickly made headlines after she jumped into Joe Rogan‘s arms after defeating Silvana Gomez Juarez at UFC 270.

While she is currently on a three-fight skid, Vanessa Demopoulos continues to prove why she is a fan favorite. As Speed’s tour continues, moments like these highlight the growing intersection of influencer culture with mixed martial arts. For the UFC, such collaborations expand the sport’s reach to younger, digital-native audiences. This blending of worlds continues to reshape how MMA is shared worldwide.

Fans react to Vanessa Demopoulos submitting IShowSpeed three times at the UFC PI

In recent times, collaborations between MMA fighters and online influencers have become a common trend. While these sessions generate viral content and bring new audiences into combat sports, they also highlight certain risks, particularly when untrained personalities step in against professionals. Fans have been quick to weigh in on the latest sparring session involving IShowSpeed and Vanessa Demopoulos.

IShowSpeed sparring with Vanessa Demopoulos
IShowSpeed sparring with Vanessa Demopoulos (via Reddit)

Some supporters found the crossover entertaining and saw it as a clever promotional move. They pointed out that Speed’s America Tour is already packed with viral moments, and this training session fits perfectly into the theme. Many noted that such content exposes a younger fan base to the world of MMA, potentially drawing more attention to fighters like Demopoulos who might otherwise fly under the radar.

Others, however, raised concerns about the downside. They stressed that while the footage was comical, it still involved real submission holds that carry injury risks when performed on an inexperienced participant. From their perspective, the UFC and fighters should balance the promotional value of these influencer collaborations with the responsibility of keeping participants safe.

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