Modern MMA shorts are 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, these shorts have undergone significant developments due to sport regulation, fighter preferences, and, of course, fashion trends.
Almost all major MMA organizations, including the UFC, adhere to the regulations established in the years from 2000 and agreed upon with the Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC) on July 30, 2009: "The Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)."
Regarding clothing regulations (including MMA shorts), it states the following: All contestants must fight in approved shorts, without shoes or any other foot protection. Shirts (except in women's categories), judo gis, or long pants (including judo pants) are not permitted.
What can UFC fighters wear?
Approved shorts (in the UFC) mean the following: Contestants must wear commission-approved MMA fight shorts, including board shorts, bike shorts, Vale Tudo shorts (compression shorts, ed.), kickboxing shorts, or other approved shorts. Speedo-style shorts are not allowed.
Reference point for apparel brands in the combat sports world
The above set of rules has provided clear guidelines for the shorts currently used in professional and amateur MMA fights. It serves as a clear reference point for clothing manufacturers, such as Venum, King Pro, and Hayabusa, in designing and developing training and competition shorts for mixed martial arts and related sports.
MMA shorts have evolved from ordinary board shorts 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 also possess other characteristics that enhance a fighter's performance during training and competition.
The most common style of MMA shorts is essentially a board short (surf short), with an extra drawstring for more grip and a four-way stretch flexible panel on the inner thighs for maximum flexibility. They are usually also made from moisture-wicking material.
Another type of MMA short, less common, are spats shorts (Vale Tudo shorts or compression shorts), made from a blend of spandex and polyester, which fit tightly to the body. It is the equivalent of a rashguard, but in a short. Many companies produce these types of specialized shorts.
Long spats used to be allowed in MMA competitions but are now prohibited 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 also gave the then-highly controversial "cage fighting" its charm: Royce Gracie appeared in traditional Gi, Art Jimmerson in boxing shorts 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, more quickly followed, and fighters wore the most diverse outfits: from tight speedos to wrestling suits with accompanying shoes and various types and colors of judo gis (with and without sponsor prints).
As the sport continued to evolve, fighters' clothing choices became increasingly practical and less "bulky." It was realized that clothing should not be an impediment at all (in this era of pure fighting, with virtually no rules). Fighters in Gis, for example, were being choked with their own clothing. Fighters increasingly 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 proposed the rules that would later be adopted as the Unified Rules of MMA. These also set rules for the outfit a fighter could wear during events. This restricted a fighter's clothing choice to only shorts and a shirt (for women). A measure that was introduced, among other things, to ensure safety and equal opportunities for all fighters.
This new set of rules was almost immediately adopted by all major (American) combat sports organizations, including the UFC, marking a significant 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 managed to secure very lucrative clothing deals with prominent 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 benefit many fighters. While many of the top fighters like Lidell, Silva, Rua, Ortiz, and Belfort had lucrative deals with combat sports brands like Venum and TapOut, fighters were now exclusively allowed to compete in Reebok clothing. Vitor Belfort (a top fighter and crowd favorite for a long period in both UFC and Pride FC) claims to have missed out on millions in income this way.
Since the signing of the agreement with Reebok (and the similar, recently renewed collaboration with Venum since March 2021), fighters have been limited to a standard tri-color design on approved shorts, with only the logos of the UFC's official sponsors at that time.
Venum x UFC (2021):
In 2020, the UFC announced a (new) collaboration with Venum. Venum thus took over the role as exclusive apparel 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 millions of fans worldwide.
Fighters also received better compensation for wearing the clothing, a debatable point given the many rumors about the poor remuneration of the majority of UFC fighters. The collaboration with Venum was considered successful and has now been extended until 2029.
Fighters under the UFC organization, particularly 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 a significant step in solving some of the problems surrounding fighter salaries at the highest level of the sport.
2026: Standard clothing regulations for UFC fighters
As of May 2026, UFC clothing rules will remain subject to a strict, centralized clothing policy, with Venum as the sole official supplier of the apparel.
Fighters are also not allowed to wear private sponsorships on their clothing or equipment during activities surrounding the fight, including interviews and in the Octagon.
Core rules for UFC fight wear in 2026:
- Mandatory equipment: Fighters must wear UFC-supplied Venum apparel, including shorts, shirts, and hoodies for their walkout.
- Personalization: While the policy is strict, the UFC allows popular fighters to use custom-designed shorts, such as those of Alex Pereira and Conor McGregor.
- 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.
- Color restrictions: Recent reports indicate stricter, region-specific color restrictions, such as the ban on American fighters wearing red shorts, which are now associated with other regions.
- Prohibited items: Personal sponsor logos are not allowed on fight wear. In the cage, fighters must wear commission-approved shorts (board shorts, 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
View in webshop:
MMA shorts can, of course, be found on Fight2Win.nl in the collection Clothing >> Shorts >> MMA Shorts
