Century Martial Arts

Overview

Century Martial Arts is the world's largest supplier of martial arts equipment and uniforms, serving practitioners across karate, taekwondo, judo, boxing, and MMA disciplines. Founded in 1976 and headquartered in Oklahoma, the company has grown from a single-person garage operation to a major distributor offering sparring gear, training equipment, uniforms, and fitness products for all skill levels. The company gained significant prominence in 2006 when it partnered with the UFC to become the official producer of branded fight gear, including the gloves used in UFC competition.

History

Century Martial Arts was founded in 1976 by Mike Dillard, a two-time Karate National Champion, starting as a one-man operation from a garage in Oklahoma City. The company expanded steadily to become the world's leading martial arts equipment supplier. In 2006, Century established a major partnership with the UFC, becoming the official producer of UFC-branded fight gear and equipment. The company maintains its headquarters in Midwest City, Oklahoma, where it operates three onsite gyms and employs many martial artists.

Product Lines

Manufacturing

Century manufactures and distributes martial arts equipment through a combination of in-house production and sourcing. The company operates as a major distributor and manufacturer of individual contact sports equipment, with production and distribution centered at its Oklahoma headquarters.

Notable Products

• UFC Official Competition Gloves - The official gloves worn in UFC Octagon competition, produced under exclusive partnership with the UFC since 2006
• Professional Martial Arts Gis - High-quality uniforms for karate, taekwondo, and judo training and competition
• Sparring Protective Gear Sets - Complete protective equipment packages for safe training across multiple martial arts disciplines
• Heavy Training Bags - Durable bags designed for conditioning and technique development
• Hand Wraps and Tape - Protective wrapping supplies for boxing and combat sports training

Reputation

Century Martial Arts is widely recognized as a reliable and comprehensive source for martial arts equipment across all disciplines and skill levels. The brand benefits from strong credibility due to its UFC partnership and the fact that many employees are active martial artists themselves. The company is generally well-regarded for product quality and selection, though specific criticisms or limitations are not widely documented in available sources. Its 50-year track record and position as the market leader suggest strong trust within the martial arts community.