It wasn’t that long ago when a new fightwear company burst onto the martial arts market scene placing itself in the endless superhuman race to demonstrate its strength to service the BJJ community with their products.

Soaring high off the successful release of its debut kimono, the Assassin, Jotunn Fightwear’s phenomenal introduction has already established themselves as a rising standout company looking in constructing its own lane toward greatness.

As Mixed Martial Arts continues to grow across the globe each year, new fighters develop and blossom from various walks of life. Similar to most every other sport, training is a requirement. As new fighters look to climb the ladder in the sport, trainers, gyms, managers, and coaches become more and more costly. The majority of fighters pay out of pocket until they at a level where sponsors help pick up the tab.

The training and personnel required to properly compete at championship level often becomes too expensive for the average fighter eventually pushing them out of a sport where they otherwise might excel. Finding sponsors is a difficult task for most fighters who run triple duty as a full-time employee, fighter, and a parent.

Brandon “Mr. 4Real” Grundy, an amateur fighter competing out of McGehee, Arkansas; is one of the thousands of competitors currenlty seeking sponsorship. Mr. 4 Real holds a perfect record at 3-0 and plans to stretch the streak to four wins at his February 16^th bout.

Some of the world's best grapplers began learning their trade at a very early age, naturally providing them with an edge over their competitors. Many of these young practitioners began rolling with a jiu-jitsu gi.

The jiu-jitsu gi is an outfit or uniform if you will, often times worn by participants of the sport. The gi consists of a heavy cotton jacket, trousers and a belt.

Learning jiu-jitsu with a gi is even more advantageous to the competitor because if used properly the gi can also be used as a weapon. Now more than ever children are starting to get involved in the sport not only for exercise but also for self-defense.

Gamma Labs, a sports nutrition company dedicated to supplying its customers with natural supplements based on the latest science has just released a festive video in spirit of the upcoming holiday season.

The classic tune 12 Days of Christmas, which has been redone on too many different facets to even begin to count, is performed by MMA superstars Chuck Liddell, Urijah Faber, Chris Weidman, Brittney Palmer and more.

Below are the following items that each was delivered via their true love:

They say there is always two sides to a coin; two sides to a story. This is generally the case for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practitioners. Some people do it because it's fun and will tell you it's nothing but a hobby, while a select few understand that with jujitsu the possibilities are endless.

One of those select few is 9 year old, Anna Dudley, who just recently started fourth grade at Quarry Hill Community School in Monson, Ma. Long before Dudley could even imagine the fourth grade she was on the mats learning BJJ from one of her heroes, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt Marco Alvan.

Under Alvan's tutelage Dudley has become well known throughout the NAGA circuit as a fearsome opponent who guillotines her competition with bad intentions. Anna's mother explained to me how they found the "Team Link BJJ Program" under Marco Alvan.

A few weeks back we told you about three local athletes and owners of Albuquerque Crossfit who braved the insurmountable rigors of the Death Race, an extreme, survivalist 72-hour outdoor race in the wilds of the Vermont Woods.

We'll bring it to you in their words as they look forward to the 2013 Race. The following excerpts are from the personal accounts of Duke City Death Racer, Crossfitter, and professional photographer Adam Baca.

It's been a few months since Chad, Ben, and I ended the 2012 Death Race. Going into the race we had somewhat of an understanding of what we were asking of our bodies, our emotions, and our general psyches. That understanding turned out to be insufficient to immediately deal with the aftermath of the race."

Defining extreme sports may depend on the eyes of the beholder. What would you call extreme? Does pushing your mind and body to the limit despite grueling conditions sound like ingredients for an extreme sport?

What about racing on foot at break neck speeds through rugged terrain for upwards of 72 hours with no assistance while bringing only what you can carry on your person? What if that rugged terrain is in the mountains of Vermont and dozens of other contestants are chasing you, pushing the pace, no coaches, locker rooms, or cheering fans.

Can your mind overcome the screaming pain in your swollen ankles and blistered feet? Hunger pains are the metronome that keep you marching. Sounds of wild animals keep you from achieving a quick thirty-minute nap before pushing your rapidly wilting body onward under the dark of night.

It has been nearly four years since the death of mixed martial artist and former UFC middleweight champion, Evan Tanner, yet many questions about both the fighter's life and tragic death are still left unanswered.

Tanner died September 8, 2008 in the desert region west of Palo Verde, California. His body was spotted by helicopter by Marines who had been flying in the area.A coroner had estimated that Tanner had actually died the evening of September 4 or early morning September 5, yet the official date of death was issued as September 8.

Weeks prior to his passing Tanner had taken to the internet to express his interest in going on a one-man excursion into the desert. Many of his friends, family, and fans issued their concerns on the idea, yet Tanner would not hear it.

For casual fans of mixed martial arts the glamorous lives of high profile champions like Jon Jones or Georges St Pierre may seem the norm. But even megastars like "Bones" or "Rush" have to start somewhere. Enter the world of local MMA.

Grueling practices, marginal pay, and constant uncertainty are common occurrences for aspiring athletes hoping to one day make it to the top of the sport. But so too is teammate camaraderie, a physically taxing yet enjoyable workout regimen, and the chance to follow one's ultimate dream.

Over the next few months follow along as amateur competitor Jeff Watts – better known as 'Karmaatemycat' to some – brings readers deep into the world of local mixed martial arts and all of the positive and negative incidents that accompany following your dream.

For 12 nights only, the former heavyweight champion of the boxing world will be heading to the Big Apple, only this time, it is not Madison Square Garden, and he won't be performing in a boxing ring.

Mike Tyson is heading to Brodway. MIKE TYSON: UNDISPUTED TRUTH is a rare, personal look inside the life and mind of one of the most complicated men to ever wear the heavyweight crown.

Directed by Academy Award nominee Spike Lee, this riveting one man show goes beyond the headlines, behind the scenes and between the lines to deliver a must-see theatrical knockout.