Beyond Urban Branding

I've always loves Sinister Brand fight wear. You've seen some of the biggest UFC stars wear their shirts into the cage. These guys have made quality stuff for years. Recently I heard a track from the upcoming album by Rakaa Iriscience from the trio Dilated Peoples. Outside of his devastating rhymes, he's one of the first rappers to train in Gracie Jiu Jitsu. His new solo album Crown of Thorns drops July 20th 2010. Anyway in one of his songs he says "Gracie Jiu Jitsu, Sinister Brand Sponsored/ You ain't fit, you old aerobics like Jane Fonda!" I love it. So many rappers reference MMA and UFC related themes in their music. This one is by far one of the best. Expect to hear more stuff like that in the coming years. If you ain't up on Dilated Peoples you are probably living under a rock. Here are two videos I suggest you peep. You will see Ralek, Ryron and Renner Gracie in a cameo This Way feat. Kanye West

I just heard a rumor that Dream Entertainment in Japan is close to signing an MMA match set for May 2010 between Ralek Gracie and Sakuraba!!! If you know your MMA history you know that Sakuraba is a fierce MMA fighter who has defeated several Gracies- Royce, Royler, Ryan and Renzo. Ralek Gracie is the son of Rorion Gracie and got his Black belt from his Grandfather Helio Gracie. He has had two matches in Japan over the last year or so and he won both by submission. I think Ralek and really, all of Rorions sons may have the biggest chance of leading the charge of the next generation of Gracie fighters within MMA. If this fight happens it will be yet another chapter in the never ending saga of the Gracie family going head to head with the best Japanese fighters. I have to do some more research and see whats what. But my source seems to think this is going to get inked soon. Why didn't Dana White think of this? -Beyond Urban Branding beyondurban@gmail.com

One of the first MMA apparel brands to exist, Tapout was truly years ahead of its time. Almost every real fighter, and many wanna be fighters rock their cutting edge t-shirts and hats. They recently began to make TV ads recently. All of them I liked, but this one... This one, I love . In it, you will find Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) icon Robert Drysdale doing a dynamic move called "the flying armbar". For the uninitiated it looks like a simple tackle, turned judo throw. But really, the opponent lands in a smooth arm lock. The direction, the music and the move itself are beautifully executed. They don't have to say "The best fighters on the planet wear our brand"- they just showed you. When the average UFC fan watches this ad, they may like it for the coolness of the ad itself. But real MMA and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu fans who live and breathe this sport know Drysdale and they will feel a cultural connection that breeds brand loyalty long after the ad is over. Here a...