Issue 084

January 2012

Bellator lightweight tournament winner Mike Chandler reveals the big boxing influence on his gym gear

EVERLAST HEADGUARD

“Everlast headgear is definitely my favorite, the best I’ve used thus far. It’s kind of a low profile one but it still gives good protection and, you know, it’s Everlast so you know its built with great quality.”

WEIGHT VEST

“This weight vest was picked up at the request of my boxing coach, Gil Martinez. All his boxers use them and it’s 10lb, so it’s not real heavy, but it’s just enough to give you that extra workout. It gives you that extra burn and just allows you to stay on your toes. Whenever you take it off and start shadow boxing or sparring you feel so much quicker.”

ASICS WRESTLING BOOTS

“My wrestling shoes are Rulons, made by Asics. These are actually the best wresting shoes I’ve had in my life to be honest with you. I’ve had a couple of pairs of them. They’re really comfortable and lightweight, great grips, great ankle support. I use these every single day. I barely ever train barefooted.”

UNBREAKABLE MOUTHPIECE

“This is a great mouthpiece and has got ‘blessed’ on it. It’s actually got the moulding on the inside and the outside so when I clench my teeth it fits perfectly. Both teeth lock into it.”

ASICS RUNNING SHOES

“As fighters we are always doing roadwork and lifting and strength and conditioning stuff so you have to have a good pair of gym shoes, you know, runners, whatever in your bag too. You need wrestling boots and boxing everything, so, of course, you need good running shoes too, and these are mine.”

EVERLAST MMA GLOVES

“I asked Everlast to send me some MMA gloves and they sent me these, which are exact replicas of the Bellator red and black gloves that we use to fight in. They sent me five or six pairs of them and that’s awesome. I want to keep it as close in the gym as I do in the fight.”

CLINCH GEAR RASHGUARD

“I train in this all the time too. This one is actually long sleeve but I have a few short ones too. They fit great and are really lightweight so when you are sparring you don’t get toes and fingers and stuff caught in it because it’s really fitted to the body.”

SHAMWOW TOWEL

“This was a gift off Mike Pyle. He and Martin Kampmann swear by this thing and it’s actually the same one you see on the TV infomercials. It’s lightweight, it’s small and it soaks up a lot of water. You can dry off your entire body and throw it in your car and by the evening it’s dry again.”

JUMP ROPE

“You gotta have a jump rope. You watch Muhammad Ali or Tyson or Mayweather, any of the great boxers, and they all jump rope. It’s no coincidence. For that reason I have incorporated a lot of jumping rope into my training and it’s great to stay quick on your toes and light on your feet. Stay elusive, fast; float like a butterfly sting by a bee.”