RukusTeam

AboutJeremyDugan

Rukus Fight Gear began as an idea of Jeremy Dugan's while recouping from an injury suffered while on a tour of duty in Iraq. With limited mobility and severe back muscle spasms keeping him stationary while awaiting an spinal fusion he began to think about options available in the civilian world after surgery, recovery and post operative therapy.

Tapping into his military discipline and special forces training he began to turn his attention to the sport of MMA. Being brought up on the sport even before going into the military, he combined his training, leadership and corporate sales ability with his passion for the sport and turned his focus towards developing a fight apparel company and began building a company from the ground level up.

Realizing that there are many competitors in this lifestyle sport who have made a name for themselves, it was a hard reality that the beginning wouldn't be easy, and he would have to overcome obstacles along the way. But in reality, that was nothing different than what he experienced in the military.

In looking forward he new that Rukus Fight Gear needed to be different and commit to giving back to the community and those in need. Again, tapping into his military background, Jeremy became all too familiar with the challenges facing Homeless Veterans, and it is because of this that Rukus is committed to helping support Homeless Veterans with donations from the proceeds from the sale of Rukus Fight Gear Apparel.

Jeremy also realized that there is also an opportunity to look to those who have decided to embrace mixed martial arts at an early age. Whether it be kids just starting out and attempting to get their first belt, or a young woman entering the ring for the first time, Jeremy has committed the resources of Rukus Fight Gear to help each one of them reach their goals.

In April of 2010, Rukus was born. With Jeremy's perseverance and dedication, making connections with training camps, fighters, and fans of the sport, he has taken the first step in making this idea come to life. As he sees it, achieving success takes one step at a time, making mistakes, learning, and understanding that it will not come overnight. Just as anyone who is involved in the sport of MMA, whether fan, friend, or fighter-- training, sacrifice and dedication makes the road a little bit easier, and making your own Rukus, along the way doesn't hurt either!

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AboutDerekDugan

Derek Dugan serves as Vice President of Rukus Fight Gear and devotes the majority of his time developing the brand, and marketing communications. Included in this are designing and researching trends in MMA lifestyle apparel, networking with other apparel designers and manufacturers as well as photographers and models... well someone has to do it.

After 25 years in corporate marketing, including a four year term of owner and founder of Derek Dugan Advertising Design Company in Orlando, Florida, he has decided that the tie had to come off and fun had to take precedence. Rukus Fight Gear became a great fit. This allowed Derek to leverage over 25 years of design experience as an award winning graphic designer, combing marketing and strategy to the Rukus organization.

Derek also enjoys photography and with that passion has self published a six year photo essay titled "Daytona Bike Week" Photography by Derek Dugan. This book serves as not only a portfolio of professionally shot images but also serves as a reminder that if you do dream it, it can be done.

And with that, that's exactly what he is doing at Rukus Fight Gear. While his son Jeremy might be the President of the company, together this father and son team has developed a great bond not only between the two-but others in this profession as well. And they live what they preach-if you dream it, you can do it... all you have to do is Get it On! top

AboutReaWilliams

After spending many years in the corporate world, in large main frame computers and the design of large Uninterruptable Power Systems, with some short sojourns into magnetic bearings and F1 and Indy car racing Rea decided to retire in Georgia.

Georgia is where Rea first met Derek Dugan, not sure if it was on a motorcycle ride or at a family get together. Derek and Rea formed a close relationship based on Derek's wonderful creative eye and Rea's computer background skills. This relationship has allowed them to develop many different types of web sites and web site designs which they still support to this day.

Rea is very pleased to be a part of the development and support of the Rukus Fight Gear efforts and will continue to be active part in the company.

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