Just as the sport of mixed martial arts has evolved, so has the competitive gear that athletes wear during combat. During its humble beginnings as an underground, bare-knuckled, anything goes format, athletes wore whatever helped them survive and win. This included anything from going shirtless to wearing full martial arts chalk. With the emergence of the UFC came a minimal set of rules and team standardization, as well as a broader and more receptive audience. Now standard protective gear includes a 4 oz fingerless pair. gloves, mouth guard and groin. The uniform seen by most fighters is simple … a pair of fighting shorts.
Since mixed martial arts are made up of numerous fighting disciplines, the clothing used for practice and actual combat must have certain characteristics to suit the style in which the athlete specializes. Regardless of individual style preferences or the discipline with which the athlete started, fighting shorts must have characteristics that allow both grip and high kicks. While some styles of shorts definitely work best for certain fighting disciplines, there are still some general features that are must-have regardless of what your favorite moves are. For example, good fighting shorts should have an exceptionally durable material to resist slipping and rubbing against the floor and walls of the ring cage. Look for shorts with a material that has a stretchy property that stretches against the curves of the hips and legs for the best range of motion. Shorts made of materials that have less stretch can be very limiting for certain techniques.
When shopping for fight shorts, choose a length above the knee to avoid trapping material within the knee joint when you are wrestling and fighting on the ground. Combat shorts should not be tight fitting (unless they are compression gear) and it is better if they are composed of a slippery type material rather than a rough canvas type to avoid friction against the mat or your opponent. The waist of good fighting shorts should be comfortable but above all secure so that it does not move. Some shorts have elastic waistbands, while others offer velcro closures, but all should have some type of drawstring for a tighter, more adjustable fit. Do not wear shorts with pockets or loops of any kind or they may snag during combat. Good fighting shorts will be smooth in all the most stylish action and with the best performance.
If you want to be a professional MMA fighter, it’s smart to emulate what the pros do and copy what they wear when in the cage. Although your fighting style may be different from theirs, doing this will at least give you a starting point. It looks like the most popular MMA shorts are knee length and it looks like they could double as a pair of shorts that you also see surfers on the beach. This style of shorts offers a comfortable fit with a snug fit at the hips, but still plenty of room in the thighs to feel secure as you go about your every move. The length of the MMA fight shorts offers plenty of space for advertising, making them ideal for endorsement logos, which are crucial to your fighting career.
Before buying a pair of MMA fight shorts, make sure you have the correct fit. Some of these shorts have a fairly thick material, which makes them extremely durable but a little less flexible. If your MMA shorts are too tight, your lack of stretch can limit your range of motion or change the way certain movements feel. As long as they fit properly, MMA fight shorts are great for fighters who like to stand up and box, but don’t use a lot of head kicks and mostly don’t touch the ground. They also work well for fighters, however there are better options for pure fighters. The best MMA fighting shorts for fighters are made with a more polished material to allow for faster action while also providing good traction against the ground.
Muay Thai fighting shorts are also seen worn by professional MMA fighters in the cage, but mainly by athletes who specialize in this discipline. Kickboxers wear these shorts so they are very baggy and offer the best range of motion for high knees and head kicks. They are also great for fighting because they are made with satin or silky material so they are very slippery on the ground. Muay thai shorts are mid-thigh or higher and have soft, wide elastic waists, very similar to the shorts seen in the boxing ring, so they are probably the most comfortable to wear. Disadvantages can include how loose the legs are. While this is an advantage for kicking and kneeling, Muay Thai shorts tend to roll up the thigh very easily when fighting, causing too much exposure for some athletes. However, this is easily remedied by wearing a pair of compression shorts underneath. Most Muay Thai fighting shorts are brightly colored and have some type of Thai writing on the front and / or back. This means that they are not ideal for displaying sponsoring company logos, so for advertising purposes these may not be the best short films.
If you are looking for a garment that offers the most versatility for mma, the best you can get is a good pair of Vale Tudo shorts. These shorts look like a pair of short length compression shorts so they are definitely the most revealing, yet they allow the best range of motion for all possible techniques used. Vale Tudo was an ‘unrestricted’ fighting venue that preceded MMA with tournaments mostly taking place underground (not highly publicized) because they were so tough. Vale Tudo’s fighters primarily used Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and a variety of striking techniques, very similar to modern MMA (only with fewer rules). The combat shorts used for this type of martial art were best for grappling / BJJ, but also allowed the freest skill for all / any hitting method.
In the cage, the Vale Tudo shorts are great for both fighting and throwing high kicks. You will never have a problem with extra material getting in the way, causing extra friction or slowing you down like with traditional MMA shorts when wearing Vale Tudo shorts. These garments glide very well against the ground when grasped, providing the most graceful movement for approaching, but also for your standing game. The only downside to the Vale Tudo shorts is that they can be too revealing for some athletes who may feel uncomfortable wearing them in front of a crowd as they are a type of compression gear so they are tight against the skin. The short length Vale Tudo shorts are only mid-thigh and also don’t leave much material for ad space regarding potential sponsor logos, however their performance outweighs this drawback.
