In early 2020, Ryan Bader, a.k.a. “Darth Bader,” the Bellator MMA double-champ – he has the rare distinction of having held World Championship titles in both Heavyweight and Light Heavyweight fighting classes – met with Victor Mohan and the team at Mohan’s Custom Tailors to start the bespoke conversation for the design and handcrafting of custom suits and shirts. During their conversation, Mr. Bader and Victor, a lifelong MMA enthusiast, also discussed Mr. Bader’s storied career and fighting style.
RYAN BADER AND VICTOR MOHAN: MR. BADER’S METEORIC RISE
“I remember watching you on Ultimate Fighter, you were a phenom then, you had knockout power, but you needed experience…” Victor said, in anticipation of Bellator 244, wherein Mr. Bader would take on Vadim Nemkov to retain the light heavyweight title. Mr. Bader replied that he is “a totally different fighter than he was even three years ago.” The COVID-19 pandemic had Bellator 244 rushed into play, and Mr. Bader, whom, again, has been a champ in two different weight classes, trained hard and fought gallantly, but did not keep the light heavyweight championship–he continues, of course, to hold his heavyweight title. This led to the post-lockdown February 2021 announcement that Mr. Bader would be participating in the Bellator Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix, headlining the event by facing Lyoto Machida in the quarterfinal round, Bellator 256, this Friday, April 9, 2021 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut. (The event will also be featured live on Showtime Sports.) “You have evolved into the great fighter that you are… I see something,” Victor Mohan said in his 2020 meeting with Mr. Bader. Victor is hopeful for a big success on Friday and for many more years of the champ’s already extraordinary rise.
CUSTOM MENSWEAR IN A PANDEMIC
We posted an article showing our first bespoke consultation and Custom Shell fitting for Mr. Bader. With the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, we were not able to conduct the final fitting of his handcrafted suits and shirts in the Mohan’s Custom Tailors Midtown Manhattan showroom. Victor surprised him prior to the presser for Bellator 256 by sending his new custom wardrobe items to his home. Mr. Bader returned the surprise by posting an unboxing video to his Instagram account, which we also published. We were particularly honored that he wore one of his Mohan’s suits to the press event!
See all of the videos and images below. We’re also premiering in this post the complete video of our first consultation with Mr. Bader, including his discussion with Victor about his career, his design consultation, and another surprise… the showing of Mr. Bader’s heavyweight and light heavyweight championship belts!
SEE THE VIDEOS AND PHOTOS BELOW
Make an Appointment with Mohan’s Custom Tailors
Please make an appointment with Mohan’s Custom Tailors for a consultation and fitting for your own bespoke masterpiece. We are conveniently located across the street from Grand Central Station. You may call us at (212) 697-0050, or complete the brief form on the “Book an Appointment” page of our website.
