Over the past 10 or 15 years, Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) has gone from a circus sideshow to a legitimate sport with tens of millions of dedicated fans. As a result, a variety of companies have sprung up trying to cash in on this global phenomenon. It seems that these days, everyone is trying to get in on the action and make a quick buck.
MMA Clothes. The great explosion.
Do a quick Google search on MMA apparel. You may be surprised to know that over 1,150,000 links come up. When it comes to MMA clothes, companies such as TapOut, Sprawl and Affliction have become major players in the sports apparel business. They have even become so large they are beginning to rival such corporate behemoths as Adidas and Reebok in terms of brand loyalty. If they keep it up, they may even rival them in sales as well.
Once you’ve seen one MMA shirt, you’ve seen them all.
But, a quick look at these companies line of MMA t-shirts reveals one glaringly obvious weakness. They all look the same. They’re a giant muddle of skulls, crossbones, angels, eagle wings and blood splatter. If these companies keep designing their MMA clothes to look as if some slave laborers in the seventh circle of hell designed it, they are going to face a major backlash from Mixed Martial Arts fans across the globe. These MMA shirts portray a very negative side of Mixed Martial Arts. After what the UFC went through with the John McCain senate hearings, that kind of negativity could hurt their brand image for a long time. What the martial arts community needs is a company that will design MMA apparel for the new generation of fighter. Fighters who are sick of the thuggish image other MMA shirts portray. That’s where Basthardt comes in.
MMA clothes with a positive image.
Basthardt MMA t-shirts are highly stylized with unique, colorful designs and are made from organic hemp, cotton, bamboo and other all-natural materials. Currently there are 219 different products in a variety of different styles. This unique line of MMA t-shirts is made primarily for men, but there are options for women and children as well.
But, what really sets Basthardt’s line of fightwear ahead of the competition is its positive imagery. There are no pictures of skulls and cross bones. Instead you will find unique, inspirational images. These days that’s something you don’t see to often. Especially in the fightwear market.
"We are sick of the dark and negative side of the MMA apparel market.” Says Christian Mikolasch, Director of Brand Development at C7 Brands, the company that created the Basthardt brand.
Mr. Mikolasch continued to say; “Our MMA t-shirts help promote the positive aspect of Mixed Martial Arts. We realize that Mixed Martial Artists are intelligent athletes who train hard and should be recognized for being positive role models.”
These days that’s something that you don’t find often enough. Lets hope that Basthardt leads a movement to change that.
War On The Mainland
Former UFC and Strikeforce heavyweight title challenger Paul “The Headhunter” Buentello believes his August 14 showdown against 2-time UFC
heavyweight champion Tim “Maine-iac” Sylvia, headlining “War on the Mainland,” is
the type of match-up MMA fans have been clamoring for when the power striking pair
battle for the vacant Powerhouse World Promotions (PWP), LLC Heavyweight
Championship, live on Pay-Per-View from Bren Events Center in Irvine, California.
AFO Redemption
Over 1000 fans were in attendance for the first show of 2010 and the AFO did not disapoint. visit www.afomma.com for photos and videos from the event.
MMA Workout With WEC Vet Jeremy Lang
Riley Kerestes of www.MMAStation.com got a chance to watch WEC veteran Jeremy “The Landlord” Lang during his intense workout only 13 days before his upcoming Feb 13th fight. If you’re going to get through this grueling workout you better come prepared to sweat.
