What are MMA shorts?
To the untrained eye, the shorts you’ll see your average MMA (mixed martial arts to the layman) fighter wearing in the gym or on TV may not seem like anything special, but you’d be so wrong if you thought about it! After reading this short article, you’ll be so impressed by the level of detail that goes into a pair of MMA shorts that you’ll regret your ignorance… well, maybe not, but if you’re new to the sport and want to To know what to look for if you’re thinking of investing in a pair, read on.
MMA shorts are specifically designed to withstand the rigorous full contact of MMA but at the same time offer maximum comfort and allow unrestricted movement. I can hear you say, ‘How do they do this?! It sounds terribly complicated!!
In response to the above, there are several ways that MMA shorts serve their purpose, there are many brands, and (although some brands like to go overboard with the marketing jargon) it’s not that complicated. Often more expensive than other pairs of athletic shorts such as those worn for football or basketball, there is a bit more that goes into making MMA shorts which I have simply tried to describe below.
So what kind of features could you expect to find in a pair of MMA shorts?
stretch panels
Take a look at the inside leg of any brand of MMA Short and you’ll likely find what’s called a stretch panel. Stretch paneling, often made of a spandex-type material, is built into the shorts to allow them to move more freely with the wrestlers’ movements without ripping or tearing. Also, because the stretch panel expands when pressed against it, it’s much more comfortable than having some tough, inflexible material in place.
split seams
Again, another common feature of MMA shorts is the split seams along the sides of the shorts. Split seams are exactly what they say they are and the size of the split seam on the side of the shorts varies in size depending on the brand, but they all serve the same purpose. The split seam allows for added comfort and aids in unrestricted movement, especially for MMA enthusiasts of the large thigh variety! The unrestricted movement aspect is important when grappling and kicking, because as we all know, MMA is the most complete contact sport there is, and fighters tend to need to be quite flexible too! However, not all shorts have the stretch panel feature, there are many brands that just have a wider leg to serve the same purpose, personal choices and recommendations generally depend on the wearer’s preference.
Double velcro closure
In addition to having the standard drawstring (some brands even have variations of this, but that could be a whole new item on its own!), MMA shorts typically feature a hook-and-loop closure strip across the front of the legs. shorts, as well as horizontally along the front of the waist band. This double type of hook-and-loop closure system is designed to ensure that the shorts are as secure as possible once worn, as well as concealing the drawstring, which if exposed could easily pull and loosen, which, given the contact nature total MMA, could result in being caught with your pants down in a literal sense!
Lightweight, quick-drying material.
MMA shorts are often made from lightweight materials (usually a polyester composite material), which dry quickly and wick away moisture quickly. Again, since MMA fighters wear very little and need to be as agile as possible, you don’t want the shorts you’re wearing to be uncomfortable and get in your way. You also don’t want an overly absorbent pair of shorts, given the fact that they’re likely to come into regular contact with blood, sweat, and water (maybe tears too if you’re not too good at it!). Keep in mind, however, that just because MMA shorts are designed to repel liquids, dry quickly, and reduce bacteria growth, you still have to wash them, unless of course you’re planning on winning your next fight via of some kind of “stench”. Submission technique out!
rubber waistbands
It’s not something you’ll find on every type of MMA short, but more often than not at the higher end of the market there will be a rubber inner waistband. Designed with the goal of providing additional grip around the waist to reduce shifting and movement of the shorts when worn and worn. The inner waistband of many MMA shorts is lined with a rubber-like material, a feature used to provide additional grip for the shorts around the waist. This added grip helps reduce shifting and movement of the shorts when in use. As in any fast-paced contact sport, split seconds count and you’d rather not take your eyes off the ball than keep adjusting your shorts in constant motion!
I tried to be brief, but there could be a lot more to add, but we’ll leave that for another time. I hope you can now explore the new world of MMA shorts armed with a little more (useful) knowledge than you did a few minutes ago!