Modern MMA shorts have become indispensable in the martial arts 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, the shorts have undergone significant developments due to sport regulations, fighters' preferences, and, of course, fashion trends.
Almost all major MMA organizations, including the UFC, follow the regulations established from the 2000s 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), the following applies: All participants must fight in approved shorts, without shoes or other foot protection. Shirts (except in female categories), judo suits, or long trousers (including judo trousers) are not allowed.
What are UFC fighters allowed to wear?
Approved shorts (in the UFC) are defined as follows: Participants must wear MMA fight shorts approved by the commission, including boardshorts, bike shorts, Vale Tudo shorts (compression shorts), kickboxing shorts, or other approved trousers. Speedo-like shorts are not permitted.
Reference point for clothing brands in the martial arts world
The above set of rules has provided clear guidelines for the shorts currently used 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. Additionally, today's shorts have other characteristics that enhance a fighter's performance during training and competition.
The most common style of MMA shorts is essentially a boardshort with an extra drawstring for better grip and a four-way stretch panel on the inside of the thighs for maximum flexibility. They are usually made of moisture-wicking material.
Another less common type of MMA short is the spats shorts (Vale Tudo shorts or compression shorts), made from a mix of spandex and polyester, fitting tightly to the body. It is the equivalent of a rashguard but in short form. Many companies produce this type of specialized shorts.
Long spats were once allowed in MMA matches but are now banned due to the extra grip and friction they cause.
Development of MMA shorts in modern times
UFC 1 (1993): no rules
The fighters who appeared at the first UFC events were not subject to any clothing regulations. This gave the then highly controversial “cage fighting” its charm: Royce Gracie appeared in a traditional gi, Art Jimmerson in boxing trunks with boxing shoes, while Teila Tuli (Sumo) wore a traditional Polynesian skirt. Many viewers probably could have done without the sight of Ken Shamrock in his bright red speedo.
After the first UFC event, many more followed, and fighters wore a wide variety of outfits: from tight speedos to wrestling suits with matching shoes and various types and colors of judo suits (with and without sponsor logos).
As the sport evolved, fighters’ clothing choices became more practical and less bulky. It was realized that clothing should not be an obstacle (in this era of pure fighting with almost no rules). Fighters were strangled in gis with their own clothing. Increasingly, fighters appeared in what began to resemble today’s MMA (board) shorts.
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 also included rules about the outfit a fighter could wear during events.
This limited a fighter’s clothing choice to only shorts and a shirt (for women). This measure was introduced, among other reasons, to ensure safety and equal opportunities for all fighters.
This new set of rules was almost immediately adopted by all major (American) martial arts organizations, including the UFC, marking a major step in the development and popularization of MMA shorts worldwide. Top fighters appeared in the most iconic and recognizable fight shorts, usually with a new design for each fight.
Some fighters also secured very lucrative clothing deals with leading brands like TapOut, Venum, and even Nike (Jon Jones in 2012).
Reebok x UFC (2015):
In 2015, UFC signed an exclusive deal with the major sports brand Reebok. This was certainly not in the favor of many fighters. While many top fighters like Lidell, Silva, Rua, Ortiz, and Belfort had lucrative deals with martial arts brands like Venum and TapOut, fighters were now only allowed to compete in Reebok clothing. Vitor Belfort (a top fighter and fan favorite for a long time at both UFC and Pride FC) claims to have lost millions in income this way.
Since signing the agreement with Reebok (and the similar, 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 official UFC sponsors at that time.
Venum x UFC (2021):
In 2020, UFC announced a (new) partnership with Venum. Venum took over as the exclusive clothing sponsor from Reebok in April 2021.
Venum seized this opportunity to introduce new "Fight Week" and "Fight Night" apparel, which also gave them many opportunities to offer UFC merchandise to the millions of fans worldwide.
Fighters also received better compensation for wearing the clothing, a debatable point given the many rumors about poor pay for most UFC fighters. The partnership with Venum was considered successful and has since been extended through 2029.
Fighters under the UFC banner, 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 in addressing some of the issues surrounding fighter salaries at the highest level of the sport.
2026: Standard clothing regulations for UFC fighters
From May 2026, UFC clothing rules will remain subject to a strict, centralized clothing policy, with Venum as the sole official clothing supplier.
Fighters are also prohibited from wearing private sponsorships on their clothing or equipment during fight-related activities, including interviews and in the Octagon.
Core rules for UFC fight clothing in 2026:
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Mandatory equipment: Fighters must wear Venum clothing provided by the UFC, including shorts, shirts, and hoodies for walkouts.
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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 of 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 indicate 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 allowed on fight clothing. In the cage, fighters must wear commission-approved shorts (boardshorts, Vale Tudo, etc.) and mouthguards.
Sources:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mixed_martial_arts_rules
- https://www.dca.ca.gov/csac/forms_pubs/publications/unified_rules_judging_criteria.pdf
- https://www.ufc.com/news/ufc-outfitting-frequently-asked-questions
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