Sponsors

RDX Sports is a UK-founded international combat-sports brand, established in 1999. It has grown from a specialist boxing-equipment company into a major supplier across boxing, MMA, Muay Thai, kickboxing, BJJ and fitness. RDX says it now serves more than 75,000 gyms and clubs, has equipment used by over 1.4 million active athletes, and reaches more than 100 countries.

The company is particularly relevant to Zen Combat Academy because RDX operates heavily within the same disciplines that Zen teaches. Its ranges include boxing gloves, MMA equipment, head guards, shin protection, pads, punch bags, coaching equipment, clothing and other protective and training equipment. RDX also describes community development, youth sport and supporting grassroots and amateur combat sports as important parts of its wider programme.

RDX is not simply a retail equipment company. It actively works with clubs, academies, fighters, events and governing organisations. Its official Gym & Club Affiliation Programme specifically mentions opportunities for clubs to receive fight and event sponsorship, RDX-sponsored fights, cross-promotion, early product access and marketing support.

At international level, RDX renewed its relationship with the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) for 2026, continuing as its official equipment supplier and global partner. RDX equipment is being used by athletes, coaches, referees, officials and medical teams at IMMAF competition level. This gives the RDX name considerable credibility within competitive MMA in particular.

RDX Sports and Zen Combat Academy

The partnership we have been developing for Zen Combat Academy in Bideford, North Devon is particularly strong because there is a natural connection between the two organisations.

Zen isn't simply a fitness gym using a few pieces of RDX equipment. Your Academy operates across MMA, Muay Thai, kickboxing, boxing, BJJ, No-Gi, Taekwondo and other martial arts, alongside junior programmes, disability-inclusive training and competitive fighter development. Zen's current website publicly confirms this broad combat-sports programme and its specialist 1-to-1 provision for students with disabilities.

The sponsorship concept we previously developed was therefore considerably stronger than a normal discount-code or affiliate arrangement. The intention was for RDX to become closely associated with Zen's Fight Team and fighter-development pathway, with the potential positioning of:

RDX Sports – Official Fight Team Partner of Zen Combat Academy

The relationship we discussed included the possibility of RDX equipment being used visibly throughout fighter training and preparation, including gloves, protective equipment, pads, coaching equipment, bags and fight equipment. In return, Zen could provide RDX with authentic visibility through fighters, competitions, Academy content, photographs, videos, social media and events.

There was also a much bigger story behind it.

RDX publicly states that it wants its partnerships and community programmes to support youth development, grassroots combat sport, safe training environments and underserved communities. Zen's inclusive work and its competitive pathway give the partnership a genuine purpose rather than making it purely commercial.

RDX has already demonstrated this kind of approach internationally. For example, its sponsorship of Coach Adham's Academy involved providing coaches and young athletes with combat-sports equipment, gifts and brand support because of the Academy's community spirit and work developing young fighters.

That is very similar in philosophy to what makes the potential RDX × Zen Combat Academy relationship interesting.

What makes the Zen partnership potentially valuable to RDX

For RDX, Zen provides several things simultaneously: grassroots participation, established adult martial arts, junior development, competitive fighters, disability-inclusive martial arts, coaching pathways and regular fight activity.

It means RDX equipment can be seen being used in a genuine working combat academy rather than simply being photographed for advertising.

A young beginner could first encounter RDX equipment in a junior class. As that student develops, they might use RDX equipment in sparring, progress into the fight team, enter tournaments and eventually compete at a much higher level. That creates a genuine association between RDX and the entire athlete journey.

And that is where I think the partnership becomes particularly powerful:

RDX provides the equipment that protects and equips the fighter.
Zen provides the environment that develops the fighter.

Together, the brands can be associated with the journey from first lesson to competition athlete.