It’s that time of year again and people are scrambling to figure out the perfect gift for the Christmas holiday. Fortunately we’ve gone ahead and created a few gift guides based on archetypes you might find in the world of MMA.

The Mixed Martial Artist

Row 1:

♦ The Hayabusa 16 oz Boxing Gloves ($90) are top notch Mexican style gloves that take on any task with stride. Many MMA schools prefer the use of 16 oz gloves during a sparring session, and they are also great to hit the bag/mitts with. If you had to choose any sized boxing glove to give a friend, these would be the way to go.

♦ If someone you know is in need of some high quality MMA gloves, then you can’t go wrong with the Hayabusa MMA Gloves ($65). Some MMA gloves are uncomfortable in their fitting, but the dual cross directional strap system should appeal to those looking for more security and performance.

♦ Maybe you’re not sure if the recipient desires boxing gloves or MMA gloves. You could always opt for the Hayabusa Hybrid Gloves ($80). These provide the best of both worlds.

♦ Although it might look like Hayabusa bought advertising space for the whole first row, we assure you they did not (although we wouldn’t mind a little Christmas gift from Hayabusa Fightwear from time to time). These Hayabusa Shin Guards ($70) appear to be in short supply as of late, and for good reason. Hayabusa Fightwear creates some of the best quality gear and these are no exception.

Row 2:

♦ If someone you know requires some excellent fight shorts with all the right features and a guarantee against rips, then the SPRAWL Fusion Stretch Series Fight Shorts ($57) are what you probably want.

♦ Blood, sweat, and fungus — these are things you probably don’t want to give as a gift, so it makes sense to offer the SPRAWL Repeller Fight Shirt ($53) instead.

♦ What better gift to give than the gift of protecting someone’s family jewels? Cue the Jaco Guardian Compression Shorts with cup ($60) and additional protective pads.

♦ A great smile is always nice to have during a pleasant Christmas party. Using something like a Fight Dentist Custom Mouthguard ($150) can ensure you keep that smile for years to come.

Row 3:

♦ Here’s the gift that will hold all other gifts. The Datsusara PGB3 MMA Gear Bag ($100) will take good care of all the gear with its hemp like powers of breathability and toughness.

♦ The Warrior International Pro Nylon Sauna Suit ($50) would be a great gift to those looking for an alternative to trash bag wear.

♦ The Mixed Martial Artist sweats and trains among others that sweat too. He/She will thank you for the Defense Body Wipes ($15).

♦ Some MMA practitioners require support for their ankles. It only makes sense to consider the Stitch Gear Ankle Supports ($15) for said persons.

The Jiu Jitsu Obsessed

Row 1:

♦ A high quality gi with a blank slate (no patches). That pretty much sums up the Hybrid Gi ($120).

♦ It’s not just men who can be obsessed with Brazillian Jiu Jitsu. The Atama Women’s Kyra Gracie Jiu Jitsu Gi ($189) should be to the ladies liking.

♦ WAR Jiu Jitsu Belts ($37) are known for their quality and durability. They might also be known as a great stocking stuffer.

♦ Kids need love too. That’s where the Bad Boy Kids Jiu Jitsu Gi ($110) comes in.

Row 2:

♦ Nobody likes to have a rash during the holidays so perhaps a Mantu Rashguard ($40 – $50) would be a good gift to give.

♦ Tapout is giving the gift of a $30,000 dental warranty for your teeth. You can give the gift of a Tapout Mouthguard ($15) (potentially a 30k gift if you really want to reach)

♦ Some desire the look of the cauliflower ear, although we would guess most do not. Give your pal a pair of Cliff Keen Tornado Ear Guards ($30) — their significant other will thank you.

♦ Inadvertent knees to the baby makers can happen. These Shock Doctor Ultra MMA Compression Shorts w/ Cup ($45) can stop knees in their tracks.

Row 3:

♦ The Jiu Jitsu obsessed will not be content with classes alone. They will need to quench their thirst with some instructional DVDs. You really can’t go wrong with the Robson Moura Fusion DVDs ($150).

♦ No gi training is essential to some. That’s where the Robson Moura Super NoGi Jiu Jitsu Series DVD ($90) comes in.

♦ We’re not sure if 100% Jeff Glover is more fun than mistletoe and a super model, but it’s probably pretty darn close. Jeff Glover’s Deep Half Guard DVD Set ($70) is sure to entertain and educate.

♦ We’ve heard great things about The Science of Jiu Jitsu Starring Demian Maia Instructional DVDs ($90). They display plenty of concepts behind body mechanics and leverage to take your Brazilian Jiu Jitsu game to the next level.

The MMA Fan

Row 1:

♦ If someone is going to decorate their room with MMA paraphernalia, then it might as well be with action figures. The JAKKS Pacific MMA Action Figures ($11 – 110) should do nicely.

♦ If your looking to give something better than Pokemon cards, then try a box of Topps 2009 UFC Trading Cards ($80) instead.

♦ Want to play something a bit different during Christmas? The Extreme Fight Games MMA Board Game ($25) might be a nice change of pace.

♦ Once upon a time, there was another MMA organization other than the UFC that was thriving. This organization was called Pride FC and it put on some spectacular shows. If you’re looking to give someone a great piece of nostalgia or even introduce new fans to great MMA fights, then you can’t go wrong with some Pride FC DVDs ($6 – $64).

Row 2:

♦ The UFC: Undisputed 2009 Video Game ($40 – $47) is the best MMA game to come out since UFC for the Dreamcast or Pride FC for PS2. There’s a great chance that any MMA fan and avid gamer owns this already, but if not then this is the game to get.

♦ Let’s not beat around the bush. We know most of us will watch 24 hours of a Christmas Story (at least we would like to think so), but after viewing it 12 times in a row, the UFC: The Ultimate 100 Greatest Fights DVD Set ($59 – $80) could be a nice change of pace.

♦ One of the best MMA related documentaries out there — The Smashing Machine: Life & Times of Mark Kerr ($22) is well worth your time.

♦ Some folks enjoy MMA events not called the UFC. These same folks can view some Dream DVDs ($60 – $120) instead if that’s more to their liking (or if they just want variety). These DVDs are generally region 2 so a region free DVD player ($38 – $127) will be required to view them.

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In Japan, the term Datsusara refers to the act of quitting one’s job for the sole purpose of finding a more fulfilling line of work. It’s about spending your time/efforts doing what you love. Having said that, it’s safe to say that the Datsusara MMA PGB3 Bag captures the essence of this change of lifestyle by standing out and not conforming to the everyday norm. The fact that it’s made of hemp is just the start.

The Good

It’s true that Eddie Bravo and Joe Rogan would approve of an item made of 100% hemp canvas (they both may vote libertarian as well — if they even vote that is). Although we won’t be sporting any LSD induced tattoo designs on our arms anytime soon, the hemp material makes a lot of sense. It’s anti-microbial (this is a wonderful thing), stronger than normal cotton, and allows your gear to air out. The material feels more sturdy compared to the PGB2 model, and less soft. Many will probably prefer it this way though. Hemp is also UV resistant (so it’s basically Blade, or at least his bag of choice).

The shoulder strap has been improved from the previous model as well. It covers more of your shoulder with a wider build as opposed to the narrow rubber strap on the PGB2. The handle straps are also as sturdy as ever.

For everything the PGB3 has going for it, perhaps its best feature is its roominess. The Datsusara MMA PGB3 Bag provides plenty of  space to carry tons of gear. The bag may seem huge to some (28×13x14 inches, 72×34x36 cm), but for those that carry plenty of gear, it’s a good thing. Our bag alone carried the following items:

• 2 pairs of 12oz Everlast boxing gloves
• Judo Gi (w/pants and belt)
• Sprawl fight shorts
• Sprawl grappling top
• Datsusara “nasty” bag with 2 dirty shirts
• Pair of Hayabusa hybrid MMA gloves
• Water bottle
• Shake bottle
• Towel
• Athletic tape
• Jump rope
• Shockdoctor compression shorts
• Wallet, keys, watch

Much more gear could have probably fit into this MMA bag. It also provides plenty of pockets to separate your stuff in a nice organized manner. There’s pockets specifically designed to hold items such as MMA gloves, keys/wallet, and a mouthpiece container. The end pockets really do fit a pair of boxing gloves (ours were 12oz, but 16oz would fit as well). The mesh pockets on the end are quite handy as well as they can hold your water bottles and just about anything else.

The zippers (YKK brand) on the PGB3  differ from the PGB2 — which were made of a nice metal material (the straps), but apparently these are a higher quality. We have had no issue of the zippers snagging or acting unreliable. Another nice addition to the PGB3 is allowing a little customization with the side patch logo. The side logo can be removed and replaced with anything else that you would like. Previous models simply had the Datsusara stitching instead.

You probably noticed a Datsusara “nasty bag” mentioned in the list of gear above. It’s a nifty bag to help separate your smelly wet clothes from the other things within the PGB3. This “nasty bag” included with the PGB3 is a vast improvement over the PGB2 — the material is far superior as is the size.

The Bad

If you order a PGB3 now, it comes with a sweet little Datsusara patch. Wait too long however and you’ll have to purchase it separately. The same goes for the “nasty bag”. Those will also start selling separately in the future.

The Ugly

The price tag may be an ugly thing for some ($99.95). You could always opt to go the Phil Baroni way and carry your gear in a garbage bag, but the PGB3 will take you far and more than pay for itself in the long run.

Conclusion

What more can be said about the Datsusara MMA PGB3 Bag? It holds a gargantuan amount of gear, looks stylish, improves upon the previous model in many ways and stands out from every other bag in the market. Whether you’re looking to ditch that dead end job or replace a dull duffel bag — the Datsusara MMA PGB3 Bag can help you take a step in the right direction. Did we also mention that the bag is now built by a better manufacturer, and meets full U.S. Mil spec standards?

For being a quality product that should last long enough to make up for its somewhat steep price, we here at MMA Claw have dubbed the Datsusara MMA PGB3 Bag a Grade A Prize.

Release the Claw: $100

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