MMA and boxing are generally shirtless because shirts can be a distraction and slow a fighter down – especially when soaked with sweat. Which is why most MMA and boxing organizations forbid them unless it’s a lower level competition or sparring.
Personally, I was really curious about these attire questions but finding answers online was a challenge. Now that I have much more information, I decided to write this article about the most frequently asked questions about MMA and boxing attire.
Table of Contents
1. Why Do Fighters Fight shirtless in MMA and Boxing?
Fighting shirtless removes any unfair advantages and provide higher visibility for the judges.
Fighters go shirtless in MMA and Boxing because shirts could be distracting and slow them down when soaked with sweat. Also, MMA and boxing organizations required fighters to go shirtless to increase the visibility of movement – for refs, judges and spectators.
Some organizations could even argue that different shirt materials could be made thicker and stronger to reduce impacts from kicks and punches. Thus, requiring fighters to fight shirtless makes sense and is fair for everybody.
2. Are You Allowed To Wear a Shirt in MMA and Boxing?
Most popular organizations like UFC do not allow fighters to wear shirts while fighting. However, some organizations at the amateur level do allow fighters to wear shirts.
Shirts are known for altering speed and performance and the general turn of events in MMA and Boxing fights. If one asks a professional about which they prefer, they will easily say that they prefer to be shirtless in their fighting match.
It is important to know this as an aspiring Boxer or an MMA fighter, if you want to take your career to the professional level you must come to terms that wearing a shirt is not allowed in boxing or MMA fights.
3. What Are The Benefits of Being Shirtless?
Fighting in the MMA or Boxing Match without shirts can come with a lot of benefits such as below:
- Fighting shirtless prevents any distractions from sweats
- Fighting shirtless prevents reduction of speeds because of a soaked shirt
- Fighting shirtless is more comfortable
- Fighting shirtless prevents any accidental or intentional tangling
- Fighting shirtless increases visibility – allowing refs and judges to score
4. Why Don’t They Wear Shoes in MMA?
Wearing shoes will significantly hinder an MMA fighter’s move – especially during grappling.
MMA fighters don’t wear shoes because shoes can significantly hide a fighter’s movements – especially during grappling. For instance, shoes are not soft and flexible enough to allow wrestlers to hook their feet around an opponent’s body.
Needless to say, such moves can sometimes be a winning determiner of the match, if such a moment is lost, the game could be lost. This is why they don’t wear shoes in MMA, it could easily affect the game.
5. Can MMA Fighters Wear Compression Pants?
The rule of wearing compression pants depends on each organization. For instance, compression pants are not allowed in UFC because the UFC has their own approved clothing for fighters.
Additionally, fighters are required to wear a groin guard (cup) underneath their shorts. When wearing compression pants, this could be difficult to achieve.
6. Do MMA Fighters Pick Their Shorts?
Depending on the organization, MMA fighters can typically pick their shorts from a list of approved attire.
It’s important for MMA fighters to pick their shorts and attire because different fighters have different fighting styles and will require different range of motion. Some fighters are fine with longer shorts that reach their knees, while other fighters require their shorts to be tighter and shorter.
7. Are Tank Tops Allowed in Boxing?
The Olympics used to require male fighters to wear tank tops.
Tank tops are required in Boxing depending on the organization. For instance, the Olympics require boxers to wear tank tops. Whereas professional boxing matches require boxers to be shirtless.
Aside from the Olympics, many amateur boxing organizations also require their fighters to wear tank tops. Most professional organizations require boxers to go shirtless because the fights are broadcasted and the judges must have a very clear vision on the movements.
8. Why Do Guys Take Off Their Shirts To Fight?
Many guys take off their shirts to fight to remove any distractions and concentrate. This usually happens when engaging in street fights where the current clothes are not suitable for fighting and can restrict movements.
Another reason could be to intimidate. If a person has good muscle mass, taking off their shirts before fighting could make them more intimidating to the opponent.
That said, if you are trained in martial arts and have the right techniques, you could engage in a fight without or without your shirt – it really doesn’t make much of a difference.
9. Can You Wear Ear Protection In MMA (UFC)?
You can wear ear protection while training and sparring for MMA. However, when you go for official matches, ear protection will most likely not be allowed because they limit visibility to the judges and could get tangled up.
Generally speaking, You don’t have to wear an ear guard if you don’t need it, most ear guards will slightly take away a fighter’s vision, and as we all know, vision is key in fighting. This is why fighters rarely wear them.
That said, ear protection is a great way to prevent cauliflower ears. If you are worried about them, then you should wear ear protections during your sparring and training.
10. Do Fighters Wear Headgear In MMA and Boxing?
Wearing in headgear in official match is not allowed.
Wearing headgear depends on the organizations that you fight for. In the past, the Olympics made it mandatory for boxers to wear headgear but that’s no longer the case. In most professional organizations, wearing headgear is not allowed.
Headgear is designed to soften the blow from punches to the head. However, the Olympics identified that wearing headgears can even increase the rate of concussion. Thus, headgear is no longer allowed in official matches.
That said, headgear is still useful during sparring. When sparring with a partner, fighters usually hold back their punches. When combined with headgear, you will be more protected against cuts and bruises to the face. So it’s recommended you wear them in sparring and training but not official matches.
11. Can You Wear Knee Pads in MMA (UFC)?
Knee pads are not allowed in most MMA organizations as well as UFC. They are considered a large piece of equipment that could give unfair advantages to a fighter. This is especially true given that MMA allows knee attacks.
With a knee pad, fighters’ knees will not be exposed and can recklessly throw knee attacks. This is dangerous for both the fighters and the opponent.
12. What Are The Rules About Shirts In The MMA
There are rules guiding MMA just like other sports, in MMA ( Mixed Martial Arts) the rules are direct and basic According to the sport’s Unified Rules, a fighter’s attire consists only of a pair of shorts, a shirt (if you’re a woman), open-fingered gloves, mouth guard, groin protection for the men, and protective chest gear for the ladies.
Fighters must compete barefoot. So shoes or padding on the feet is forbidden. These are the rules unless you are an amateur and don’t want to go into the professional level but, if you have to then, rules must be followed.
