Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is the fastest growing sport in the world but it also has the worst reputation when it comes style. As you may have noticed, Gotstyle is trying to buck the trend. Taking cues from fellow mixed martial athletes like Georges St. Pierre (who still wears his custom Gotstyle ensemble), more fighters are eschewing the tacky promotional t-shirts and instead are suiting up for press and public appearances. Yesterday in Toronto, Melissa and the team dressed three very different fighters ahead of UFC 140 here in Toronto: Frank Mir, Jon Jones, and Mark Hominick.
The fact that three unique athletes all chose to wear suits rather than casual gear for their appearance on TSN’s Off the Record shows a change of thought and a more professional approach to the sport. The NBA enforces a dress code and many players now employ stylists to compete with each other on a bespoke suit level. Hockey players are taught since major junior leagues to wear a suit before and after games and NFL players like Mark Sanchez and Tom Brady serve as spokesmodels for high end menswear brands. Perhaps it’s time for the UFC to ask more of their athletes and elevate the image of the sport. T-shirts and shorts may be the easy way out, but nothing celebrates and highlights diverse body types quite like a well-tailored suit.
Let’s take a look at all three gentlemen out of logo tees and jeans and now adorned in their new Gotstyle duds.
Frank Mir (above) is a veteran fighter with ten years experience, both in the ring with the UFC as well as a color commentator for the WEC. The 6’3 heavyweight found a black Gotstyle Private Label suit and white shirt to show off his 260lb frame; the classic style of the suit will never go out of style. Mir’s polished, professional look is finished with a Ted Baker tie and Amanda Christensen pocket square.
Local fighter Mark Hominick (right) will be a part of the UFC 140 card this weekend in Toronto. It’s a small change for the MMA journeyman from London, Ontario to go from gym gear to a custom suit fitting before a television taping. Hominick stands at only 5’8 and 148 pounds so a Paul Betenly large size range helped him find a charcoal grey suit that not only fits him well, but he can wear it to almost any occasion. Hominick’s ensemble is finished with a Gotstyle Private Label shirt, Ted Baker tie, and Amanda Christensen pocket square.
You can find these suave and sophisticated looks as well as similar styles in-store at Gotstyle now. Be sure to watch these well-dressed fighters on TSN’s Off the Record tonight at 5:00PM EST and keep an eye out for them out and about in Toronto.
Megan Ann Wilson is a Toronto-based stylist and writer. She can usually be found shopping for NBA players, interviewing designers, designing custom items or hosting video segments. You can find her blog dedicated to aesthetics and athletics at meganannwilson.com and follow her on Twitter as @shegotgame.