MMA Clothing has taken the world by storm over the past few years. There are more brands now than ever before, with many already established brands in other sectors taking an interest in the MMA market. This is good for the MMA fan as the market is flooded with top quality gear, fantastic designs at affordable prices. MMA clothing is a global multi-million pound industry and is growing every day. Zuffa who own the UFC have brought MMA to the mainstream around the world and are responsible for the growth of the industry.
In a fiercely competitive market it is good to have a little bit of history on the already established brands. Here are my top MMA brands for 2010 and a brief outline about the company and some of their top sponsored fighters.
Warrior International
Warrior International feels that their actions speak louder than words. Only the elite, most professional MMA fighters in the world are chosen to represent the Warrior name in competition. Warrior International does exactly as it says; provides tough, high quality clothing for the modern day Gladiator. Their clothing line is always on cutting edge of style and fashion and features designs that cross the spectrum – you’re just as likely to see Warrior hats and tees in the cage or the street as you are in the club. Quality is never sacrificed and Warrior is always after the best fabrics and materials to use in their designs.
Demand for Warrior product has grown to the point that International was added to the name as they are now truly a global brand.
Warrior fight shorts have a very subtle design and feel great on they are very popular and can be seen parading the streets as well as the cage. Their shirts have very bold designs and are made with exceptional quality. These shirts seem to be the brand preferred by many of the top MMA fighters!
Sponsored fighters such as: Brock Lesnar, Shane Carwin, Houston Alexander, Gabriel Gonzaga, Rich Clementi, Mac Danzig, Tyson Griffin, Heath Herring, James Irvin, Chris Leben, Joe Stevenson, Thiago Silva, Jeff Monson, Ed Herman and Sean Sherk.
Silver Star
Silver Star Casting Company, which started as a small Orange County boutique, has quickly become a major player in the global fashion and accessories industry. Founded in 1993 by Luke Burrett, today Silver Star is one of the most visible names in men’s and women’s fashion. With an unapologetic logo and bold graphics on a huge range of MMA fight Shirts, Shorts, Hoodies, Jerseys, Silver Star is infused with punk-rock sensibilities that push the fashion envelope. The creative team behind Silver Star are constantly taking the pulse of the streets to keep their products squarely on the cutting-edge. As a result, Silver Star is a favorite among trend setting celebrities who recognize its innovative style and originality. Silver Star shirts are renowned for their quality and funky designs. Many top fighters have a signature range with Silver Star and the brand can be seen on the backs of many top fighters.
Luke and his family run Silver Star fueled by the belief that if you live life like a champion, anything is possible. Hard work, determination and a refusal to take ‘no’ for an answer is what Silver Star was built on. The MMA athletes and members of the Silver Star family are reflections of this ideology, and are proud to wear apparel that is built for Champions.
Sponsored fighters such as: Anderson Silva, Wanderlei Silva, Frank Trigg, Rashad Evans, Urijah Faber, Lyoto Machida, Manny Pacquiao, Jon Jones, Minotauro Nogueira, Rich Franklin, Rob Emerson, Thiago Silva, Clay Guida, Forrest Griffin, Georges St-Pierre and Rashad Evans.
Tapout
Tapout is the world’s leading mixed-martial arts apparel, gear and lifestyle brand on the market today. Tapout produces the hottest apparel for men, women and children. As the energy escalates around the MMA culture, Tapout is taking on a life of its own with an attitude so American and Arrogant that the demand for the brand has gone global. Tapout are also the exclusive apparel sponsor for Spike TV’s “The Ultimate Fighter” through 2011. Tapout are the most instantly recognisable and front-running brand in MMA. Tapout was spawned in 1997 by owners Charles ‘Mask’ Lewis and Dan ‘Punkass’ Caldwell as a counterculture movement to produce and provide innovative merchandise for the mixed martial arts revolution. Tapout has since become a pioneer of the MMA movement and a $multi-million empire.
In or out of the cage, Tapout provides attitude and arrogance with brash, dynamic designs that will not succumb to the latest trend, but will always stay true to their original mission; taking MMA to the rightful place of world domination where it belongs.
As a MMA market leader, Tapout sets the trends instead of following them and they have never reacted to the competition. Tapout produce a great range of MMA T-shirts, MMA Fight Shorts, MMA Hoodies and Accessories.
Representing all the major MMA stars such as: Chuck Liddell, Rich Franklin, Rashad Evans, Dan Hardy, Michael Bisping, Gegard Mousasi and Rampage Jackson
Venum
Venum are a fight short company specialist that was originally founded in Brazil, Rio de Janeiro, the spiritual home of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Venum is made by fighters, for fighters all over the world and has unrivalled quality and comfort for both MMA and no-gi grappling. Venum Manufacture a large range of Fight Shorts, Shirts and Hoodies and always looking to launch new and improved products. Grapplers and strikers alike are joined together in their appreciation for Venum, with K-1 legend Jerome Le Banner and grappling and MMA sensation Paulo Filho being just a small portion of their highly regarded advocates.
Venum T-Shirts are made from high quality cotton and in my opinion have the best designs in MMA. Their fight shorts are very popular both with the fans and fighters alike. They are light weight, high quality and very durable. Venum is becoming established in both the MMA and fashion world. Venum Hoodies are probably the most aesthetically pleasing and an all round must have for any MMA fan.
Venum products are high quality fashion wear with superb designs and they are my pick to be Tapout’s closest competition in 2010!
