Balingen, December 27, 2025 – A surprising new partnership is shaking up the martial arts world: MMA gym Planet Eater is teaming up with sporting goods manufacturer Kempa, a move that founder Peter Sobotta calls the “largest partnership” outside of his UFC contracts. The collaboration will see Planet Eater’s athletes outfitted by the same supplier as established clubs like HBW Balingen-Weilstetten, Stuttgarter Kickers, and Waldhof Mannheim.
A Symbolic Step for German MMA
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The deal signifies growing acceptance and mainstream recognition for a sport once relegated to the fringes.
- Planet Eater, a leading European MMA gym, will receive apparel from Kempa.
- The partnership aims to elevate the image of MMA in Germany.
- Kempa, already involved in wrestling, expands its presence in martial arts.
- Both companies emphasize a shared commitment to quality and regional ties.
“This partnership is symbolic – it’s something really big for us as Planet Eater,” Sobotta stated in an interview with Zollern-Alb-Kurier. “Our sport comes more or less from the underground and had to struggle with a very bad image for a long time.” The deal represents a significant vote of confidence in the growing legitimacy of mixed martial arts.
From Underground to Mainstream
Melanie Steinhilber, Managing Director/CMO of uhlsport GmbH, echoed this sentiment, noting that the collaboration with Planet Eater is “a consistent step in our promotion of martial arts.” She highlighted the shared values of discipline, respect, and passion that underpin both organizations. The partnership developed quickly, characterized by “great closeness and real partnership from the start,” according to Steinhilber.
What makes this partnership unique? The collaboration between Kempa and Planet Eater marks a deliberate move by a well-established sporting goods brand into the MMA space, a sector historically dominated by sponsors like Venum.
A Regional Connection
Sobotta explained that while Planet Eater had a satisfactory arrangement with a Polish outfitter, the opportunity to partner with a regional company like Kempa was too good to pass up. “We consciously chose a partner from the region,” he said. He acknowledged that the timing might seem late, given the gym’s international success, but emphasized that “good things take time.”
Tim Grothaus, Head of Sponsoring & Promotion at uhlsport GmbH, drew parallels to Kempa’s successful entry into the handball market with HBW Balingen-Weilstetten. “We’re taking a similar approach this time too, hoping for the appeal of Planet Eater with its top athletes who are internationally active,” he explained. The strategy involves leveraging regional heroes with global reach to distribute the brand across international markets.
Phased Approach to Product Range
Initially, the partnership will focus on apparel. Sobotta explained that this deliberate choice reflects the high quality standards of both Kempa and Planet Eater. “The development of proper fist protection takes two to three years,” he noted, adding that they didn’t want to rush a product to market before it was fully developed. Further product lines are planned for the future.
Grothaus emphasized the importance of launching mature products, recalling past experiences with Kempa’s early foray into handball shoes. “We weren’t good enough in the shoe sector,” he admitted. “We want to go to market with mature products.”
Competing with the Giants
While acknowledging the presence of major players like Venum and Adidas, Sobotta expressed confidence in the potential of the partnership. “We are represented with our athletes on the biggest stages and thus have the opportunity to present this new Balingen brand nationally and internationally,” he said. He believes the combined power of Planet Eater and Kempa is “enormous.”
Planet Eater plans to leverage its strong social media presence and host regular fight evenings in Balingen, providing a platform for amateur and young professional fighters. “At the moment there is no stage for them to develop,” Sobotta stated, adding that they have partnered with Oskar Haak to launch this new series.
Targeting a Younger Demographic
Grothaus highlighted the appeal of MMA to a younger audience and the commitment to developing products tailored to the sport’s specific needs. “The younger target group is very, very exciting for us,” he said. “We want to come up with very, very good products that athletes value.”
Grothaus concluded by emphasizing the internal discussions that took place before the partnership, noting the evolution of MMA’s image and the fairness of modern cage regulations. “For us, the focus is on the athlete who trains hard and in a very disciplined manner,” he said. “We also feel a great deal of respect between the athletes – and that also conveys our values.”
