MMA Uniform Rules

The MMA Uniform

A mixed martial arts uniform is pretty 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 gals. Fighters compete barefoot. So shoes or padding on the feet are forbidden. MMA fighters may not wear gi tops or pants, and Speedo-style shorts is a definite do-not.

The following information summarizes the Unified Rules regarding MMA gear and apparel.

MMA Shorts

Contestants must wear commission-approved MMA fight shorts, including board shorts, biking shorts, Vale Tudo shorts, kick-boxing shorts, or other as approved.
No Speedo-type shorts.

MMA Shirts

Gi tops are prohibited, and men may not wear shirts in competitions.
Female contestants are required to wear commission-approved shirts.

Protective Gear

MMA Gloves

Fighters must wear commission-approved open-fingered gloves.
Protective gloves must weigh no more than 6 ounces, and no less than 4 ounces.
Larger gloves may be worn with approval.
Gloves must be supplied by the promoter; MMA fighters cannot supply their own gloves.
Knuckle area must contain no less than one inch of padding to avoid risking injuries.

Now, you may wonder why MMA fighters wear protective gloves. They're required to wear commission approved, open-fingered gloves for a few reasons. For one, hands are a fighter's primary weapons. Contestants require fit hands to perform their tasks and stay on their game. Fingers, knuckles and wrists are delicate and vulnerable to breaks and injuries. Fighters need gloves that not only protect, but allow them the freedom to grapple, grab, hold, and perform show-stopping submissions!

MMA Mouthguards

Athletes must wear a commission-approved protective mouthpiece at all times during during a fight.
Rounds do not begin until contestants' mouthpieces have been examined and approved by their attending physician, and are in place.
If a mouthpiece is knocked out of place during a fight, the referee will stop the fight, clean the mouthpiece, and reinsert it.

Groin and Chest Protection

Wearing groin protection during a fight is a must for males.
Female fighters are prohibited from wearing groin protection.
Male fighters may wear protection of their choice, or as approved by the commissioner.
Groin protection includes a jock strap and a protective cup.
Female fighters are required to wear approved chest protection during competitions.

References:

Unified Rules and Other MMA Regulations. Retrieved on Sept. 14, 2012, from http://www.ufc.com/discover/sport/rules-and-regulations#10

Koppenhaver, Harold. (Nov. 11, 2009). Why Do Fighters Wear Gloves on their Hands? Retrieved on Sept. 14, 2012, from http://ezinearticles.com/?Why-Do-Fighters-Wear-Gloves-on-Their-Hands?&id=3240654

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