Getting a new pair of MMA shorts can give you many benefits in training and sparring sessions. While you don’t need nice shorts designed for MMA to train, MMA shorts will make you feel more comfortable and confident in training and allow for more free movement.
You’ll learn the 7 best MMA shorts on the market right now, how to choose a pair, and the distinction between MMA shorts and regular shorts.
Let’s hop in and see the top-rated shorts.
7 Best MMA Shorts for 2023
Hayabusa Hexagon Mid-Thigh Fight Short

Hayabusa, one of the most trusted brands in the world of combat sports equipment, presents us with the Hexagon Fight Shorts are a pair of shorts designed with perfect fit and comfort in mind. Hayabusa Hexagon doesn’t feature some crazy colorway, yet is very simple, which is something we are huge fans of.
Now, when it comes to MMA shorts, the looks are not the most significant factor, but comfort, durability, and fit surely are. This is where these shorts absolutely excel.
Made from super durable fabric, you can wear and tear these shorts over and over for a very long time before you start to see any damage. While the fabric they are made from is rugged, don’t think for a second that it isn’t comfortable.
The fit is also spot on, which is crucial for a pair of shorts that you will wear for a long time. The waistband has to take huge credit for the fit of these shots because it pins the shorts to your waist so you don’t have to worry about them moving during training or sparring.
Hayabusa Hexagon is a near-perfect pair of MMA shorts. Comfortable, breathable, and great-looking, these are a must-have for any MMA fighter. They are a great value, and even if you use these are a daily workout pair of shorts, you can be sure that they will last for a long time.
Venum NoGi 3.0 Shorts
Venum, a company that has been around for a long time, and has been making MMA equipment for many years, has released the NoGi 3.0 Shorts. A successor to the NoGi 2.0, the 3.0 improves on the legendary model.
Exceptionally lightweight, Venum designed these shorts for hard sparring sessions, and these are great for use in many martial arts, which include Muay Thai, BJJ, MMA… This means that you can spar harder and feel much more comfortable than wearing old shorts.
While they aren’t made from the rigid fabric as the Hayabusa Hexagon, these are still pretty durable. That lightweight material adds to the breathability, so if you sweat a lot during sparring, you should seriously consider getting a pair of Venum NoGi 3.0 Fightshort.
Sanabul Essential MMA BJJ Cross Training Workout Shorts
Sanabul, a brand that is making MMA equipment for many years, has released the Essential MMA BJJ Cross Training Workout Shorts. While they are designed for BJJ, they are also great for MMA fighters because of their durable and lightweight construction.
With slight cuts on the sides, you will have slightly increased mobility than you would have with closed sides. The only drawback to these shorts is that the stitching can become loose over time, but at this affordable price, we can’t complain a lot.
The colorway isn’t particularly unique, but those who prefer a nice, clean colorway will be huge fans of the Sanabul Essential Shorts. And, a nice thing is that you have a variety of options to choose from.
Overall, these are a great option for those who are just starting out in MMA or BJJ. Lightweight, great fit, four-way stretching. For this price, the Sanabul Essential Shorts are a steal.
Venum Officially Licensed UFC Men’s Pro Line Shorts
Inspired by the shorts that UFC fighters wear during their fights, wearing this pair of shorts is the closest thing to feeling like a UFC fighter. The second pair of shorts by Venum on this list, these mid-thigh shorts have a narrow cut and feature a hook and loop closure system to help you find the right fit for you.
The Venum Pro Line Shorts feature a bigger cut on the sides than the rest of the shorts on this list thus far, and it will increase your mobility, especially for kicks. Not only that, these shorts are extremely lightweight, which will help not only in the striking department but also in the grappling.
With an aggressive design and a ton of different colorways to choose from, these will make you confident and comfortable any moment you step on the mat.
Raven Fightwear Men’s Horror Werewolf BJJ MMA Fight Shorts
Wow! Do these have a fascinating and opponent-intimidating design. Not only they will intimidate your opposition, but they will also make you feel invincible. Raven Fightwear is known for its impressive design, and these don’t disappoint one bit.
Designed for BJJ and MMA sparring, the triple stitching makes them highly durable and long-lasting. With the velcro strap, you don’t have to worry about these moving or falling off during demanding sessions.
The crotch is made from Lycra, so the elastic material stays close to your body and moves the way you do. These are not the cheapest ones on the market, but they are definitely worth every penny.
FUJI – Baseline Grappling Shorts
A cheaper alternative, the FUJI Baseline Grappling Shorts have a simple design but offer nothing less than great performance on the mat. These knee-length shorts are made from comfortable, stretchable fabric which will not restrict movement on the mat, especially if you use it for BJJ.
The fabric will also please those who prefer thinner fabric, rather than a rugged one. The Velcro waistband allows for a secure fit and allows you to modify it to your liking.
The only downside to these is that they run small, so be aware of that. Overall, for an affordable price, with the FUJI Baseline Grappling Shorts you get a pair of go-to shorts for sparring, grappling, and competitions, not to mention that because of their simple style, they can be combined with any rush-guard.
Diamond MMA Compression Performance Short
Last but not least, we have the Diamond MMA Compression Performance Shorts, the only compression shorts on this list. As more and more fighters choose compression shorts for competition or sparring, their market is getting bigger and bigger.
The Diamond MMA Compression Performance Shorts are one of the best choices if you want new compression MMA shorts. The benefits of these types of shorts include reduced groin pain and regulating muscle fatigue.
Diamond made these MMA Compression Performance Shorts from high-quality compression fabric that provides a full range of movement while wicking away moisture for enhanced comfort during intense workouts.
These also have a built-in cup pocket, but the cup protector is sold separately. A plastic cup ensures you have groin protection because in combat sports, protecting the groin is extremely important.
With their outstanding design combined with high-quality materials, and the great comfort that they provide, Diamond MMA Compression Performance Shorts are a must-have for serious MMA fighters.
Difference Between MMA Shorts and Regular Shorts
Now that you’ve learned about the best MMA shorts on the market, it’s time to find out the difference between MMA shorts and regular ones. There are a few things that differentiate MMA shorts from regular shorts.
MMA shorts are designed specifically for close combat, meaning they are more durable and longer-lasting than regular cotton or polyester shorts. They also allow for more free movement and offer more support in important areas.
Everyone who trains in any sport, let alone MMA, knows that intense training sessions will make you sweat a lot, and MMA shorts wick away most of the sweat to keep you cool and comfortable.
How to Choose MMA Shorts
If you have been training in MMA for some time, you know that it’s not always easy to find the right shorts.
Choosing MMA shorts requires you to think about several factors. Knowing what kind of shorts you need will save you time and money if you get the right one on the first attempt.
So, knowing that we will now go through the factors that you need to consider.
Material
When you are fighting or sparring you want to be able to fight and move in the ring with comfort, without having to worry about any uncomfortable material. So in order to not feel any material rubbing against your skin, always look for shorts made from high-quality materials.
Durability
Building up upon the importance of high-quality materials, they are vital in determining the durability of the shorts. MMA shorts should last you some period and not get ripped from a couple of training sessions.
Design
Wearing MMA shorts will make your movement freer, especially the ones with cuts on the side. So, if you are kicking a lot, look for shorts with high cuts on the sides, as those will grant you more movement than the ones without them.
Brand
There are many brands that produce fightwear, with some of them being well-known and trustworthy. Getting a pair of shorts from a trusted brand will make a world of difference, and advisable to do so.
Price
While purchasing MMA shorts won’t set you back a fortune, there are still price differences between higher and lower quality shorts. If you are an amateur fighter or don’t train MMA that often, cheaper shorts will do the job just fine.
On the other hand, being a professional or aspiring to become one will demands professional equipment, including the shorts.