There’s just no substitute for a well placed, instant fight ending, grappling submission.
World domination is, on its face, a pretty absurdly grandiose concept. That’s why it’s typically the province of the kind of bombastic super villains that populate cartoons, comics, and action movies. Of course, that’s only if you’re speaking literally, in terms of a single entity seizing geopolitical control over the entire globe. In real life, there is no shortage of opportunities to pit competing techniques, styles, and philosophies against each other in a competitive environment.
One of the most cut and dry forms of world domination also happens to be one of the most popular and lucrative: the world of Mixed Martial Arts. In fact, the whole concept of modern MMA, sprung from the desire fuelled by years of speculation, and the odd “boxer vs. wrestler” exhibition, to bring various, specialized fighting techniques under a single banner, to see just which one would reign supreme in a head to head clash.
While highly skilled practitioners representing every stripe of combat arts: karate, kung fu, catch wrestling, shootfighting, boxing, savate, sumo, muay thai, sambo, and even ninjutsu, just to name a few, competed in the revolutionary early UFC tournaments, there was one form of fighting that continually found itself standing apart from the pack, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and its representatives in those early tournaments, members of the legendary Gracie family (Royce in UFC, Rickson, Royler, and Renzo in Pride FC) loomed largely over the landscape of MMA, as elite fighter after elite fighter succumbed to its grappling techniques and submission holds. A win over a Gracie was a big deal. One all time great fighter, Kazushi Sakuraba, established himself as an MMA star thanks largely to his ability to score multiple victories over members of the Gracie family.
The evolution and modernization of Mixed Martial Arts that has given rise to well rounded, multi-disciplined fighting styles; even so, there’s just no substitute for a well placed, instant fight ending, grappling submission. Take Brock Lesnar’s 2008 UFC debut, for example, which saw the colossal former heavyweight wrestling champion matched up with former UFC champion Frank Mir, who carried Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training in his impressive bag of tricks. Lesnar’s early barrage of punches looked to have established his control of the fight, even after a referee stoppage for illegal strikes to the back of Mir’s head. The restart saw Mir felled by another heavy Lesnar punch, but an attempt to press his advantage into a stacked guard position allowed Mir an opening to lock in a kneebar. Fight over.
Of course, the rewards and accolades that come with the upper echelons of professional fighting are just the most visible public showcase for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The fact is, from decorated champions taking on new challenges to devotees constantly honing their skills, if Mixed Martial Arts as we know them didn’t exist, practitioners of BJJ would still be seeking out challenges around the world, because the idea of travelling is baked into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu’s DNA.
Bodega and Jiu-Jitsu outfitters Albino and Preto’s second collaborative effort, “World Domination” celebrates globetrotting martial arts competition with an international travel themed capsule collection. Training and competition gear consisting of two gis, a rash guard compression top and shorts, are joined by an assortment of graphic tees and a Mitchell & Ness snapback hat, featuring Bodega and A&P co-branding, the collection’s “no hard feelings tagline,” banner graphics commemorating milestone years in Bodega and A&P’s histories, and a tour date style listing of international locations significant to Bodega, A&P, and Jiu-Jitsu.
In keeping with the collection’s traveling theme, product will be location exclusive. The black Gi and black apparel will be available in person, at Bodega’s Los Angeles location, while the white Gi and white apparel will be made globally available online at shop.bdgastore.com.
The Bodega x A&P ‘World Domination’ Collection releases in-store at Bodega L.A. at 11:00am PST on Saturday, May 26 and remaining inventory online at 10:00am EST on Monday, May 28.
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