In Virginia, some people turn to fighting each other as a way to destress and find relief from their troubles. They believe that throwing punches can actually help alleviate their pain. The fighting takes place in an area known as “The Yard,” a spot Chris “Scraface” has designated. The area is marked by tree trunks covered in vines and punching bags hanging from the trees, earning it the nickname “Satan’s backyard.” Crowds often gather around Wilmore to watch these matches.
This is the world of Streetbeefs, a fighting competition Wilmore started ten years ago as part of his “Guns Down, Gloves Up” movement. Wilmore’s goal was to provide a space for people to resolve their disputes without causing serious harm or getting into legal trouble.
Wilmore feels remorse about his criminal past, which includes assault and drug possession charges that led to a nine-year stint in jail. The Street Beefs concept has grown into a club that offers a “safe zone” for individuals to engage and participate in fights. Over the past year, approximately 180 matches have taken place, with the club’s YouTube channel boasting half a million subscribers and more than 142 million views. The revenue generated from YouTube has allowed Wilmore to leave his day job and focus on running Street Beefs full-time, even contemplating hiring security staff and referees in the future.
Street Beefs has a significant presence on social media, with the channel launching in 2009 and starting to earn money by 2015. In 2018 alone, the club produced over 220 videos, with one video reaching more than 20 million views in 2013. Fighters in Streetbeefs do not receive payment, there are no admission fees, and legal issues are minimal, as Wilmore describes it akin to playing backyard football.
