Everlast & Bellator To Debut Next Generation PowerLock MMA Fight Glove

NEW YORK, Feb. 27, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Everlast Worldwide Inc. and Bellator MMA, have collaborated to produce the next-generation of MMA fight glove. The new glove will debut when Bellator's 10th season kicks-off this Friday February 28th, 2014.

Over the last year Everlast product designers have worked closely with Bellator's team and its athletes to create the PowerLock MMA Fight glove. The new glove promotes proper hand form and technique, which can help to reduce the risk of face, hand and wrist injuries. The PowerLock displays a number of improvements over earlier generations of MMA gloves; these changes include a curved striking surface that aides proper hand form, re-designed foam to maximize hand protection on the impact zone and additional padding that shields the first and fifth metacarpals, two commonly injured bones of the hand.

"As the industry leader in fight sports equipment, fighter safety is our number one concern," said Matt Cowan, EVP Marketing, Sales and Product for Everlast. "We've seen an increasing number of injuries across the sport of MMA and as the official fight glove and equipment sponsor of Bellator we wanted to address those concerns. This next-generation fight glove provides superior comfort, support and protection to athletes without drastically changing the equipment they've grown accustomed to competing in. As the sport of MMA continues to evolve, our equipment will evolve with it."

"Fighter safety is absolutely paramount in every decision we make, and when our team sat down with Everlast, both of our company's shared one goal: take the next step in advancing the protection for every athlete that steps into our cage," said Bellator Chairman & CEO Bjorn Rebney. "We've already had countless fighters test this new glove in full sparring and the reviews have been off the charts.   Working in partnership with Everlast we have created a glove that not only improves fighter comfort, but also lowers the risk of injury from both an offensive and defensive perspective. We've really hit a home run here, and I can't wait for all of our athletes to strap on this new glove beginning February 28th."

Bellator 110 takes place on February 28th and will air live on Spike TV and spike.com from the Mohegan Sun Arena at 9 p.m. EST/8 p.m. CST.

Everlast equipment and apparel is available at everlast.com and sporting goods retailers nationwide.

About Everlast Worldwide Inc.
The preeminent brand in boxing since 1910, Everlast is the world's leading manufacturer, marketer and licensor of boxing, MMA and fitness equipment. From legendary boxing champions Jack Dempsey and Sugar Ray Robinson to MMA Champions Randy Couture and Jon Jones, Everlast is the brand of choice for generations of world champion professional athletes. Built on a brand heritage of strength, dedication, individuality and authenticity, Everlast is a necessary part of the lives of countless champions. Based in Manhattan, Everlast's products are sold across more than 75 countries and 6 continents. Everlast is a wholly owned subsidiary of Brands Holdings Limited, a global company and manager of worldwide sporting goods and apparel brands. For more information, visit www.everlast.com.

About Bellator MMA
Bellator MMA is the world's largest tournament based Mixed Martial Arts organization. Televised to nearly 500 Million homes worldwide in over 140 countries, Bellator's majority owner is entertainment giant Viacom.  In the United States, Bellator can be seen on Spike TV, the MMA television leader. With over 175 world-class athletes under contract, Bellator is home to many of the sport's top mixed martial artists. Bellator's founder & CEO, Bjorn Rebney, is an experienced fighting sports and entertainment executive with a deep commitment to the purity and integrity of the sport of MMA and its athletes.  Bellator's core philosophy is that title shots should be earned, not given. This belief gave rise to Bellator's real sport, tournament-based format, which gives Bellator's tournaments a true playoff feel that keeps the sport true and distances itself from the subjective side of fighting sports found in organizations that utilize a matchmaking/casting formula.  Bellator MMA is comprised of an executive team that includes top industry professionals in television production, live event orchestration, fighter development/relations, venue procurement, sponsorship creation/development, international licensing, marketing, advertising, publicity and commission relations.  Bellator is based in Newport Beach, California.

About Spike TV:
Spike TV is available in 98.7 million homes and is a division of Viacom Media Networks.  A unit of Viacom, Viacom Media Networks is one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms.  Spike TV's Internet address is www.spike.com and for up-to-the-minute and archival press information and photographs, visit Spike TV's press site at http://www.spike.com/press.  Follow us on Twitter @spiketvpr for the latest in breaking news updates, behind-the-scenes information and photos.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Raquel Torres
[email protected]
212.239.0990

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140227/NY73809

SOURCE Everlast Worldwide Inc.