Combat sports have been a common thread in my life since a young age. It is more than just training or competing: combat sports are a way to develop yourself, push your limits and learn discipline, respect and perseverance. It is a sport in which you grow not only physically, but also mentally.

Good, reliable and affordable equipment is essential. Every athlete, from beginner to top athlete, deserves equipment he or she can rely on. However, from my many years of experience as a representative and seller of major international combat sports brands in Europe, I saw more and more clearly where it fell short.

There were large gaps in quality, pricing and above all in how well the gear matched the athlete's actual practice. I could not and would not ignore that reality any longer.

Together with my trainer and now business partner Enric Gunning, I started Ali’s Fightgear around 2010. A brand born from practice, not from an office. With Enric's more than 50 years of experience in various combat sports disciplines, my background in marketing, product development and international trade, and our shared passion for combat sports, we have laid a solid foundation for a brand that stands for quality, honesty and functionality.

Our partnership is a deliberate combination of contrast and strength: Enric as a heavyweight, me as a lightweight, literally and figuratively. What binds us is our shared vision and daily contact with the gym floor. As owners and committed partners of a large number of gyms, we are in constant direct contact with athletes of all levels.

From young children taking their first steps in combat sports to experienced competitive fighters who demand the utmost from their gear. We use their feedback to develop and improve our products.

We do not claim to decide for ourselves that we are the best. But every day we do everything we can to become and remain the best. By listening to athletes, staying critical of our products and never compromising on quality and safety.

In the end there can be only one best.

And that is what we work towards every day with full conviction.

Erik Roukens
Co-founder Ali’s Fightgear