Bad Boy

Bad Boy is a combat sports and lifestyle brand founded in San Diego, California, in 1982. It makes gear and apparel for MMA, boxing, kickboxing, jiu-jitsu and fitness.

What is Bad Boy?

Bad Boy is an American sports apparel and equipment brand founded in San Diego, California, in 1982. It describes itself as a pioneer of the alternative sports lifestyle industry and today focuses on gear for combat sports and training.

History

In its early years Bad Boy sponsored athletes in surfing, skateboarding and motocross, including Sunny Garcia, Mark Gonzales and Ricky Johnson. In the early 1990s it moved into martial arts, sponsoring Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt Rickson Gracie and fighters such as Vitor Belfort and Frank Shamrock, followed by a later generation including Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira, Mark Kerr and Mark Coleman. These ties to Brazilian fighters made the label a familiar name in the Brazilian fight scene.

Products and positioning

The current range covers equipment and apparel for MMA, boxing, kickboxing, jiu-jitsu and fitness, organised into lines such as Legacy, Pro Series and Training Series.

• Gloves, shorts and protective gear
• Jiu-jitsu and training apparel
• Lifestyle clothing drawing on the brand's heritage

Distribution

The brand sells through its own online store and says its products are available on six continents, including through specialist fightwear retailers. It has won the Best Gear and Technical Apparel Brand title at the World MMA Awards several times.

Why it matters

Bad Boy is one of the earliest apparel brands to build its identity around mixed martial arts, and its athlete sponsorships helped shape fightwear as a distinct sportswear category.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Bad Boy from?

Bad Boy was founded in San Diego, California, in 1982.

What does Bad Boy sell?

Bad Boy sells equipment and apparel for MMA, boxing, kickboxing, jiu-jitsu and fitness training.

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