Review: Can Any Shorts Be Used for MMA Gear?
Written by Mike on November 3, 2008 – 10:04 am -In North America, professional fighters use either trunks or board shorts as bottom wear during mixed martial arts competition. Many brands have been given good to very good reviews on this site. Due to their popularity, fight shorts can be quite costly. Not everyone can afford more than US $20 for a pair of shorts (and possibly double or triple that amount), Why not use any athletic pair of shorts found in most people’s drawers?
Common shorts have pockets; pockets that may catch a partner’s finger and dislocate it during grappling or mma training. Some shorts have belt loops that have the same risk. Other shorts have zippers or buttons that can inflict a huge gash or even a gaping wound on one’s partner. This will happen during intense groundfighting where fighters are extremely close to each other.
Board shorts and trunks used as mma gear have velcro and drawstrings are used instead of hard buttons and zippers. They also have no pockets. However, beachwear board shorts may have pockets. Such beachwear should not be used on the mat to demonstrate the utmost safety for one’s partner.
The fabric of common shorts absorb sweat instead of it wicking off. Soggy shorts clinging to one’s legs is quite uncomfortable during training or resting in between rounds. Basketball shorts, though meant to wick off sweat, may have an inner garment that can get wet. This can cause the same discomfort previously mentioned.
Doing splits is a sign of flexibility. It is also required if one desires the ability to perform high kicks. Common athletic shorts, like basketball shorts hinder this movement with a lengthy crotch area. This is why mma board shorts either have stretchy fabric or slits in the crotch and/or outer thighs. The shorts may also be ripped when submissions such as Eddie Bravo’s electric chair are attempted.
Eddie Bravo’s Electric Chair on YouTube
Hunter or Bad Boy trunks or Speedo-style swimming trunks can be used during mma training or submission wrestling. Unfortunately, teammates may refer to the wearing of such mma gear as “GAY!”
So those are the disadvantages of using common athletic shorts as mma gear. They may have pockets, buttons or zippers that can injure a training partner. The fabric can cling uncomfortably upon having absorbed sweat. Splits and high kicks can cause a tear in such shorts. And you may look gay.
Posted in MMA Gear Reviews |
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By mma fighter on Dec 2, 2008 | Reply
You can actually buy the best side split fight shorts from the PIMPIT FIGHT TEAM. They have the least expensive shorts for the best quality at http://www.pimpit.com