VEX MMA was founded on 30th August 2020 by Louis Barker and Ryan Witherington, based in Perth, Western Australia. The vision for VEX MMA was born from both founders’ deep-rooted passion for mixed martial arts, a journey they have both been on for much of their lives.
The Birth of VEX MMA:
As both men’s schedules grew busier—Ryan and Louis found it increasingly difficult to maintain their training. This led them to a pivotal decision: to stay involved in the sport they loved, they would create their own brand. After brainstorming numerous names, they settled on the name VEX.
The term “VEX” is derived from English slang, meaning “aggressive, frustrated, or vexed,” which perfectly captured the gritty, hard-working nature of fighters and the intense emotions they experience throughout their journey in the sport.
Ryan's martial arts path began at the age of 13 in Warrington, United Kingdom, when his father, who was deeply involved in the sport, introduced him to martial arts.
Ryan eventually migrated to Perth, Western Australia with his family in 2010, where he continued to train and compete. He became particularly skilled in Muay Thai, amassing an impressive record of 3-0 in MMA under the mentorship of Head Coach Steve Walton in Perth.
Ryan’s background and competitive achievements solidified his position as a key figure in the local martial arts community.
Louis, on the other hand, began his martial arts journey at the age of 5 in Leicester, United Kingdom, where his father introduced him to Judo. Louis’ dedication to grappling led him to compete at high levels of Judo competitions nationally & internationally, earning national and international medals both in the UK and Australia.
Like Ryan, Louis's family migrated to Perth in 2010, where he continued to pursue his martial arts passion. Louis and Ryan crossed paths for the first time in 2015 training MMA, training together at Mach1 Gym (now Wolves Den) in Joondalup, Perth, under the guidance of Steve Walton.
Their shared commitment to martial arts and years of training together laid the foundation for their future collaboration.
In a significant development for the Australian MMA industry, PRP Global, a leading MMA-inspiried streetwear and athlete sponsorship company, has acquired some percentage in VEX.
PRP and VEX will collaborate on select projects, leveraging their combined expertise to enhance the MMA community. Both companies will maintain their individual operations - VEX will continue to prodiuce high-quality MMA gear, while PRP will focus on offering financial support to fighters and sponsoring MMA events, alongside its streetwear line.
This investment marks a pivotal moment for both companies. PRP's industry experience and financial backing will be invaluable as we strive to become a global leader in MMA fight wear.
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“The Human Highlight Machine”
Official VEX Athlete
Lightweight
5 - 0 - 0
“Lockjaw”
Official VEX Athlete
Featherweight & Lightweight
15 - 6 - 0
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