Interview: 8th Degree Black Clothing Company

Here at MMA Opinion we’re always looking for ways to promote the companies that are interested in helping the sport of mixed martial arts grow.  We’re going to launch a weekly (hopefully) unofficial thank you for MMA companies, allowing them to tell us a bit more about their company, why consumers should care, and anything else they wish to discuss.

Our first thank you is to 8th Degree Black, an MMA inspired fashion brand that offers t-shirts and other quality clothing.

“We believe in high quality products; we use soft, high-end garments that are fashionably fitted,” 8th Degree Black founder Tim Gilroy said.  “We pride ourselves on our attention to detail, including the type of inks and print techniques we use.”

Rather than simply slap a logo on a t-shirt and sell it, 8th Degree Black has a more unique approach to its business.

“The graphics that we feature on our clothing honor the heritage of Greek Pankration, Japanese Shooto and Brazilian Vale Tudo,” Gilroy added.  “Together these three subcultures make up the history of what is now Americanized as MMA.”

Despite the sheer number of MMA clothing companies on the market now, 8th Degree Black is focused more on the art of MMA, and not so much promoting its own logo like other companies.

“But what sets us apart is that our graphics utilize images and terms that are specifically designed to honor historical aspects of fighting.”  The company is careful to say 8th Degree Black is not a fight gear company, as it truly is a “fashion brand.”

Unlike many other clothing coompanies, 8th Degree Black has an interesting way to sell products.  “We are also a self retailer; meaning we sell our products directly to the consumer.  That allows us to be a quality brand at an affordable price.  Similar products in the market currently retail for $40 to 80, while our products are available for $24 to 29.”

The company has big plans about where it hopes to be in the future, with a mall location opening on Long Island sometime during the summer.  Furthermore, the company hopes to “be an MMA version of American Eagle or Hollister, with a touch of Mitchell & Ness.”

8th Degree Black expects to launch into a wider variety of clothing styles in the future, “including thermals, hoodies and hats.  From a graphic standpoint, we want to start focusing on more MMA disciplines, such as Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Sambo, Judo and Catch Wrestling.  We have a lot of great ideas and concepts on the horizon.”

MMA Opinion would like to thank Tim from 8th Degree Black for taking the time to chat with us, and we wish him the best in the future.