Modern MMA shorts have become an indispensable part of the combat sports world. They are of course suitable for Mixed Martial Arts, but many people also use them for fitness, kickboxing, or simply as casual wear.
Since the rise of modern MMA in the 1990s, shorts have undergone significant development due to regulations governing the sport, fighters’ preferences, and, of course, fashion trends.
Virtually all major MMA organizations, including the UFC, follow the regulations drawn up in the years after 2000 and agreed upon with the Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC) on July 30, 2009: “The Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)”.
Regarding the clothing regulations (including MMA shorts), these state the following: All participants must fight in approved shorts, without shoes or other foot protection. Shirts (except in the women’s divisions), judogi, or long trousers (including judo trousers) are not permitted.
What may UFC fighters wear?
Approved shorts (in the UFC) are defined as follows: Participants must wear commission-approved MMA fight shorts, including boardshorts, bike shorts (editor’s note), Vale Tudo shorts (compression shorts, editor’s note), kickboxing shorts, or other approved shorts. Speedo-style shorts are not permitted.
Reference point for clothing brands in the combat sports world
The above set of rules has provided clear guidelines for the shorts used today during professional and amateur MMA fights. It serves as a clear reference point for clothing manufacturers such as Venum, King Pro, and Hayabusa when designing and developing training and competition shorts for mixed martial arts and related sports.
MMA shorts have evolved from ordinary boardshorts or bike shorts. They are now much more modern and specialized, offering various features that improve comfort, freedom of movement, and flexibility. In addition, today’s shorts also have other features that benefit a fighter’s performance during training and competition.
The most common style of MMA shorts is essentially a pair of boardshorts (surf shorts), with an extra drawstring for a more secure fit and a four-way stretch panel on the inside of the thighs for maximum flexibility. They are also usually made from moisture-wicking material.
Another type of MMA shorts, which is less common, is spats shorts (Vale Tudo shorts or compression shorts), made from a blend of spandex and polyester that fits tightly around the body. They are the equivalent of a rashguard, but in short form. Many companies produce this type of specialized shorts.
Long spats used to be permitted in MMA competitions, but they are now banned because of the additional grip and friction they create.
Development of MMA shorts in modern times
UFC 1 (1993): no rules
The fighters who appeared at the first UFC events did not have to follow any form of clothing regulations. This gave the highly controversial “cage fighting” of the time some of its charm: Royce Gracie appeared in a traditional Gi, Art Jimmerson in a boxing trunk with boxing shoes, while Teila Tuli (Sumo) competed in a traditional Polynesian skirt. Many viewers probably would not have minded missing the sight of Ken Shamrock in his bright red Speedo.
After the UFC’s first event, more events quickly followed, and fighters wore the most diverse outfits: from tight Speedos to wrestling singlets with matching shoes, and various types and colors of judogi (with and without sponsor logos).
As the sport continued to evolve, fighters’ clothing choices also became increasingly practical and less “bulky.” It became clear that clothing could not be an obstacle at all (during this era of pure fighting, with virtually no rules). Fighters had even been strangled with their own Gi. Increasingly, fighters began appearing in what looked like the modern MMA boardshorts.
April 2001: the beginning of the Unified Rules of MMA
On April 3, 2001, the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board established the rules that would later be adopted as the Unified Rules of MMA. These rules also governed the outfit a fighter could wear during events.
This limited a fighter’s clothing options to shorts and a shirt (for women). One measure introduced, among other reasons, to ensure the safety and equal opportunities of all fighters.
This new set of rules was adopted almost immediately by all major (American) combat sports organizations, including the UFC, marking a major step in the development and global popularization of MMA shorts. Top fighters appeared in the most iconic and recognizable fight shorts, usually with a new design for every fight.
Some fighters also managed to secure highly lucrative clothing deals with leading brands such as TapOut, Venum, and even Nike (Jon Jones in 2012).
Reebok x UFC (2015):
In 2015, the UFC signed an exclusive deal with the major sports brand Reebok. This certainly did not work out in the best interests of many fighters. While many top fighters such as Lidell, Silva, Rua, Ortiz, and Belfort had lucrative deals with combat sports brands such as Venum and TapOut, fighters were now only allowed to compete in Reebok apparel. Vitor Belfort (a top fighter and fan favorite for an extended period in both the UFC and Pride FC) claims that he missed out on millions in income as a result.
Since the agreement with Reebok was signed (and the comparable, recently renewed partnership with Venum since March 2021), fighters have been limited to a standard three-color design on approved shorts, featuring only the logos of the UFC’s official sponsors at that time.
Venum x UFC (2021):
In 2020, the UFC announced a (new) partnership with Venum. Venum thus took over the role of exclusive apparel sponsor from Reebok in April 2021.
Venum seized the opportunity to introduce new “Fight Week” and “Fight Night” apparel, which also gave the company many opportunities to offer UFC merchandise to the millions of fans worldwide.
Fighters also received better compensation for wearing the apparel, a debatable point given the many rumors about the poor pay received by the majority of UFC fighters. The partnership with Venum was considered successful and has since been extended through 2029.
Fighters under the UFC organization, especially established names, may be missing out on millions of dollars in individual sponsorship income due to the ban on other brands. Restoring this financial flow to fighters would be an important step toward resolving a number of issues surrounding the salaries of fighters at the highest level of the sport.
2026: Standard UFC fighter clothing requirements
As of May 2026, the UFC’s clothing rules remain subject to a strict, centralized apparel policy, with Venum as the only official supplier of clothing.
In addition, fighters may not wear private sponsorships on their clothing or equipment during activities surrounding the fight, including interviews and time spent in the Octagon.
Key rules for UFC fight apparel in 2026:
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Required equipment: Fighters must wear UFC-provided Venum apparel, including shorts, shirts, and hoodies for their walkout.
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Personalization: Although the policy is strict, the UFC allows popular fighters to use shorts with their own designs, such as those worn by Alex Pereira and Conor McGregor.
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Special event kits: For major events, such as the “UFC White House” event in June 2026, fighters must wear special, unique uniforms designed for the occasion.
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Color restrictions: Recent reports point to stricter, region-specific color restrictions, such as a ban on American fighters wearing red shorts, which are now associated with other regions.
- Prohibited items: Personal sponsor logos are not permitted on fight apparel. In the cage, fighters must wear commission-approved shorts (boardshorts, Vale Tudo, etc.) and mouthguards.
