The Best Gym Shorts for MMA Training (From People Who Actually Fight)

Most gym shorts are built for people who watch fights. Not people who have them.

There's a difference. And you feel it the second someone shoots for a takedown, your shorts ride up, a seam blows out, or a waistband refuses to stay put through three rounds of drilling.

We've trained in a lot of shorts. We've fought in even more. Here's what we know works — and why it matters more than the brand on the tag.

What Makes a Good Pair of Fight Shorts

Before you buy anything, understand what you actually need from a pair of training shorts.

Range of motion. This isn't yoga. You need to throw a roundhouse, shoot a double, and sit in guard without your shorts locking up at the hip. Look for shorts with a split hem or gusset. The deeper the split, the more freedom you have. Don't compromise here.

Waistband that stays put. An elastic waistband with a drawstring is non-negotiable for grappling. Velcro closures can catch your training partner's gi, their skin, or your own rashguard. If you're rolling no-gi or training MMA, skip velcro entirely.

Lightweight and breathable fabric. Mesh performs best for most training environments. It pulls sweat away from the body and doesn't weigh you down when it gets damp. Heavy cotton or thick polyester blends are fine for the weight room — not for fight camp.

Durability. Training shorts take a beating. If they're not reinforced at the seams and stitched for movement under load, they won't last a season of serious training. Cheap shorts save you $10 upfront and cost you $30 in replacements.

The 3 Styles of Combat Sports Shorts (And Which One You Need)

Mesh Shorts

Best for: MMA training, boxing, wrestling, strength and conditioning

The everyday workhorse. Lightweight, breathable, unrestricted. A good pair of mesh fight shorts holds up from warm-up to sparring to the weight room without you thinking about them once. This is what most fighters wear for the majority of their training. Look for a longer cut (mid-thigh to above the knee) and a deep split hem.

Board Shorts / Fight Shorts

Best for: MMA sparring, competition, bag work

A tighter, more structured cut. Built for sport-specific training and competition. Less breathable than mesh but more durable in contact situations. The tapered cut reduces fabric that opponents can grab during clinch work. If you compete in MMA or kickboxing, you want a pair of these in rotation.

Compression Shorts

Best for: BJJ, wrestling, wearing under your gi or fight shorts

Compression shorts go under everything else. They reduce skin-on-mat friction during rolling, support the hip flexors, and stop mat burn from becoming a problem during live training. Many grapplers wear compression under fight shorts as a complete kit.

What to Avoid

Avoid cotton blends for mat training. Cotton absorbs sweat and holds it. You'll be heavier, hotter, and more uncomfortable by round two. Save the cotton for casual wear.

Avoid cheap waistbands. If the elastic feels flimsy in your hands before you buy it, it will fail on the mat. The waistband takes more stress than any other part of the short.

Avoid oversized fits for grappling. Extra fabric gives your training partners and opponents something to grab. Fit closer to the body — you won't miss the extra room.

Why Fighter-Owned Brands Build Better Shorts

Mass-market athletic brands design shorts to sell to everyone. Fighter-owned brands design shorts for the specific demands of combat sports training — because the people building them are also the people wearing them on the mat and in the cage.

King Killers was built in Tampa, Florida by fighters competing in BJJ, boxing, MMA, and Bare Knuckle FC. Every piece is designed with that context in mind. When the fit or the fabric doesn't work under real training conditions, we know — because we feel it ourselves.

Shop our full range of mesh gym shorts and fight shorts built for serious training.

Quick Checklist Before You Buy

• Split hem or gusset for hip mobility?
• Elastic waistband with drawstring (no velcro if grappling)?
• Lightweight mesh or technical polyester?
• Reinforced seams at high-stress points?
• Mid-thigh to above-knee length?

If a pair of shorts clears that list, it belongs in your training bag. If it doesn't, move on — your hips and your training partners will thank you.

King Killers Apparel is a fighter-owned brand based in Tampa, FL. Every piece is built by competitors, for competitors. Free shipping on orders over $100.