RFA set to debut U.S.A. vs. Brazil fight kits

When the fighters at RFA 29 walk out to compete on Friday night on AXS TV, they’ll be an unusual difference from normal RFA events. Not only is the theme of RFA 29 a slide toward nationalism with a ‘U.S.A vs. Brazil’ framing, but the organization is also requiring fighters to wear Adidas-made fight kits.

The UFC debuted Reebok-made fight kits in July, making it the first combat sports organization to sign an exclusive apparel deal for its athletes. RFA becomes the second in mixed martial arts.

“It seems ideal to do the RFA: USA vs. Brazil and kick it like that. [UFC welterweight champion Robbie] Lawler’s going to be the team captain for U.S.A. and Lyoto [Machida] is the team captain for Team Brazil. It’s just in the spirit of good fun and passion,” says Scott Viscomi, President of Adidas Combat Sports USA.

According to Viscomi, there are some key differences between what RFA is experimenting with and what UFC is doing. For starters, all fighters get to keep their sponsors. Fighters were asked to send their logos to RFA, who then had the gear made with everyone’s listed sponsors represented.

“We shot this thing out today and we sent it back to the fighter room and fighters,” says Viscomi. “We then delivered it to the printers so the fighters could basically get their logos put on there and collect their cash. I think it’s kind of done right and in the true spirit of things.” However, unlike the UFC’s arrangement with Reebok, RFA’s fighters are not being directly compensated for wearing Adidas gear for this event.

The other difference is that these kits are temporary. After Friday, there is no plan to keep the kits in use, although RFA isn’t ruling them out for future use either. Viscomi claims the kits were used this team because the team vs. team approach created an easy opportunity to explore the idea.

“This is something that is a good step forward. You will see us debuting our own Adidas MMA and Adidas Jiu-Jitsu no gi training looks here starting in September that will resemble this sort of composition, but there was an easy way to execute here and sort of ethos, aesthetic of the way we’re going to do things.

“We’re not going to try to go head-to-head with what Reebok and the UFC are doing,” he continues. “We just thought this was a great idea. It’s our take on it. It goes with the national sport theme. People can get nationalistic and fun and it’s meant in the true spirit of a fashion collab. This is meant to be fun, build some excitement and get people talking.”

Viscomi also believes this isn’t something done as a pivot off of UFC’s arrangement with Reebok or any other sporting apparel deal. For Adidas Combat Sports and RFA, this is little more than seizing an opportunity, one they believe is no-lose and beneficial for all stakeholders.

“This is not a f–k you to Reebok or the UFC or anything like that,” he argues. “This is just something that makes sense because we’re already doing RFA: U.S.A. vs. Brazil. We thought, ‘Wouldn’t this be a great thing to do for the fans and the fighters themselves and then get the team captains involved.'”