Bellator today announced that it has reached a deal with Everlast to be the promotion’s exclusive equipment provider, with the company also producing co-branded equipment with the promotion and serving as a sponsor of all Bellator events, including it’s anticipated upcoming second season, which kicks off on April 8 and airs live on Fox Sports Net.

The full press release is below:

Bellator Fighting Championships, the nationally televised mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion, today announced a new partnership with Everlast, the world’s leading manufacturer, marketer and licensor of fight sports equipment, apparel and footwear.

Everlast will become the exclusive equipment provider for Bellator, including fight gloves, cages and training equipment. Additionally, Everlast will produce a line of co-branded MMA equipment that will be available nationwide through catalog, online and retail.

Everlast will also be a category-exclusive promotional sponsor of all Bellator events and the two companies will both strategically market, promote, publicize and advertise their partnership through a wide variety of channels.

“This is a proud moment for Bellator,” said the company’s founder and CEO, Bjorn Rebney. “Everlast is one of America’s most iconic brands and they have a 100-year history of providing the best-quality equipment for professional and amateur fighters around the world. We are thrilled that our fighters will be using Everlast gear and are also very pleased to have Everlast’s support as a category-exclusive sponsor.”

Bellator Fighting Championships marks a unique step forward in the evolution of professional MMA. Bellator is a first-of-its-kind, nationally televised, weekly mixed martial arts promotion that allows fighters to control their own destiny, eliminating the subjectivity of matchmaking and utilizing the tournament-based model used by every other professional sport.

“Built on 100 years of experience, no other brand in fight sports is as authentic or has a deeper understanding of a fighter’s needs, wants and desires than Everlast,” said Adam Geisler, president of Everlast. “Bellator is one of the most innovative and respected brands in the MMA industry and their tournament format reflects their own unique authenticity and understanding of the professional fighter. We are extremely excited and believe this partnership provides a tremendous opportunity to lift both brands to a new level.”

Marketing support for the partnership includes retail signage, promotions, a dedicated online and print advertising campaign, and social media activation.

For more information on Everlast or Bellator Fighting Championships, please visit Everlast.com or Bellator.com.

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