Since Venom took over as the official kit supplier for the UFC, custom shorts and fight kits have been created for numerous fighters. Before Reebok’s era, fighters had much more freedom to express their individuality through their fight kits. However, starting in 2015, this sense of uniqueness diminished as fighters were restricted to specific colors and patterns.
With the introduction of Venom, several top UFC fighters have been able to showcase their own unique fight kits, much to the delight of fans. Generally, it’s the main event stars or those in title fights who receive custom kits, though other fighters have also had the chance to wear distinctive outfits designed to help them stand out and express their personality.
Noteworthy Mentions
It’s important to recognize that not all UFC custom shorts grab attention as they should. While some recent designs have included wild patterns, others have gone unnoticed. For example, alternative colors such as Ian Garry‘s purple shorts at UFC 303, Paddy Pimblett‘s bold orange shorts at UFC 314, and Bryce Mitchell’s camo shorts now feel more conventional. Notably, Sean O’Malley‘s pink shorts coincided well with his colorful hairstyle during parts of his UFC career.
Missed Opportunities
When given the opportunity to connect with fans and showcase their individuality, fighters should seize it wholeheartedly. Unfortunately, fighters like Michael Chandler at UFC 314, Justin Gaethje at UFC 300, and Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 failed to stand out with their choices. Miocic opted for a homage to his previous shorts but ended up with a design that was too basic. As for Chandler’s and Gaethje’s choices, there’s not much to say in their defense. Additionally, Juliana Pena’s fight kit lacked flair and failed to make an impact.
UFC Custom Shorts – Mid Tier
Fighters like Merab Dvalishvili, Leon Edwards, Israel Adesanya, and Dustin Poirier have created decent custom shorts, although they don’t stand out as ‘great’. Dvalishvili’s Georgian flag shorts are becoming iconic, blending red and white with traditional designs. Edwards’ shorts feature an all-green color but are too similar to standard options. Adesanya’s anime-inspired shorts are interesting but could have been more vibrant. Poirier’s floral shorts incorporate blue diamonds that add a nice personal touch, aligning with his personality.
UFC Custom Shorts – Top Tier
Fighters like Islam Makhachev, Zhang Weili, Alexander Volkanovski, Max Holloway, Ilia Topuria, and Jon Jones have crafted remarkable custom kits that truly represent them. Makhachev’s shorts showcase his Dagestani heritage with a sleek black, white, and grey design. Weili’s captivating red-and-gold kit at UFC 300 featured dragon motifs that celebrate her Chinese roots. Volkanovski’s shorts are subtle yet effective, offering nods to his Greek heritage. Similarly, Holloway’s floral print highlighted his Hawaiian background and became memorable during his fight against Gaethje.
Elite Custom Shorts
The elite category features custom shorts from Khamzat Chimaev, Brandon Moreno, and Valentina Shevchenko, each creating standout designs that are iconic. Chimaev’s shorts draw inspiration from his Chechen heritage and feature a wolf, symbolizing strength. Moreno’s black and red shorts, adorned with the Aztec god Quetzalcoatl, encapsulate his Mexican roots. Shevchenko’s dark green kit for UFC 315, highlighting themes from Muay Thai, sets a high standard for women’s fight kits.
GOAT Shorts
Among the various custom shorts, those of Khalil Rountree Jr and Alexandre Pantoja are exceptional and deserving of the GOAT title. Rountree Jr’s shorts for UFC Baku reflect his sak yant tattoos and the surrounding mountains of Las Vegas, beautifully tying personal elements into the design. Pantoja’s shorts feature mythological Japanese dragons symbolizing power while incorporating elements of Brazilian heritage, showcasing a rich narrative that elevates their design to greatness.
Do you agree with our assessment of the UFC custom shorts? Share your thoughts in the comments!
