2024 has been a breakthrough for custom shorts in the UFC.
In 2014, the UFC signed an official apparel deal with Reebok to be the promotion's provider of shorts and other gear. Before the deal, fighters had free rein to wear what they wanted, but in the 10 years since, short design has been regulated by UFC and its apparel partner. In 2021, Venum took over the apparel deal from Reebok.
In 2020, Bryce Mitchell was the first to break through with a custom Reebok camouflage short, and four years later the floodgates seem to have opened. Ten fighters received custom shorts from Venum, all worn in title fights. Could this be a signal of what's to come for marquee fights in the sport?
Here's our breakdown of the shorts that have dropped to date, including the inspiration for each design and the fighter's result that night. We'll continue to update the list as new custom shorts are unveiled.
Israel Adesanya
Debut: Aug. 17, 2024, at UFC 305
Design inspiration: The black and gold design is inspired by Adesanya's love of anime, manga and his electric fighting style.
Result: Adesanya lost to Dricus du Plessis by fourth-round submission for the middleweight title.
More: 'It's the old Izzy, but also old Izzy': At UFC 305, a motivated Adesanya is back
Dricus Du Plessis
Debut: Aug. 17, 2024, at UFC 305
Design inspiration: The design celebrates the rainbow colors of the South African flag, representing Du Plessis' home nation.
Result: Du Plessis defeated Israel Adesanya by fourth-round submission to retain his middleweight title.
More: 'Burning fire' drives Du Plessis to beat Adesanya at UFC 305
Leon Edwards
Debut: July 27, 2024, at UFC 304
Design inspiration: Edwards, who was born in Kingston, Jamaica, but raised in Birmingham, England, wore the green colorway and design to represent two flags -- Jamaica and United Kingdom.
Result: Edwards lost to Belal Muhammad by unanimous decision for the welterweight title.
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Paddy Pimblett
Debut: July 27, 2024, at UFC 304
Design inspiration: The orange colorway is inspired by legendary Japanese professional wrestler and mixed martial artist Kazushi Sakuraba's iconic short design. "The Gracie Hunter" fought 43 times professionally in MMA, including wins over four members of the famed Gracie family: Royler Gracie, Renzo Gracie, Ryan Gracie, and Royce Gracie.
Result: Pimblett defeated King Green by triangle choke in the first round.
More: 'Paddy the Baddy' meets his crossroads moment
Dustin Poirier
Debut: June 1, 2024, at UFC 302
Design inspiration: This short design has ties to Poirier's signature floral shirt style that he can be seen wearing regularly on his Instagram. Within the floral design are blue diamonds -- paying homage to Poirier's nickname of "Diamond."
Result: Poirier lost to Islam Makhachev by D'Arce choke for the lightweight title.
More: 'Destiny doesn't make mistakes': Inside Poirier's quest to finish his UFC story »
Alex Pereira
Debut: April 13, 2024, at UFC 300
Design inspiration: The multicolored short is in honor of Pereira's Brazilian ancestry, the Pataxó tribe. Venum, the short designers, researched the tribe to attain the correct pattern and color.
Result: Pereira defeated Jamahal Hill by KO to retain the UFC light heavyweight title.
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Zhang Weili
Debut: April 13, 2024, at UFC 300
Design inspiration: Weili's shorts and bra featured dragons and traditional Chinese markings infused in the background, inspired by her home country of China.
Result: Weili defeated Yan Xiaonan by unanimous decision to retain the UFC strawweight title.
More: 'The greatest card ever assembled': Inside the making of UFC 300 »
Max Holloway
Debut: April 13, 2024 at UFC 300
Design inspiration: Holloway's floral short design was a process two years in the making. Holloway wanted a custom short ahead of his trilogy bout against Alexander Volkanovski, but the UFC finally relented and provided a red, white and blue floral color design that honors the state flag of Hawaii.
Result: Holloway defeated Justin Gaethje by KO for the BMF title.
More: Way-too-early UFC 400 predictions: Could Holloway and Nickal be on the card? »
Justin Gaethje
Debut: April 13, 2024, at UFC 300
Design inspiration: Gaethje sent images to Venum of black-and-gray and black-and-white tonal flags of the United States as the inspiration for his shorts. His goal was to represent the U.S. in a muted and toned-down version of the flag.
Result: Gaethje lost to Max Holloway by KO for the BMF title.
More: Resetting the lightweight division after UFC 302: Interim title loading? »
Sean O'Malley
Debut: March 29, 2024, at UFC 299
Design inspiration: O'Malley was another prominent fighter who had urged for customized shorts. At UFC 299, "Suga" got his wish, as Venum sent over shorts fit for a champion, with a pink and gold colorway replacing the usual black and gold.
Result: O'Malley defeated Marlon Vera by unanimous decision to retain the bantamweight title.
More: UFC weight class power rankings: Lightweight and bantamweight battle for No. 1 »
Bryce Mitchell
Debut: Oct. 31, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Hall vs. Silva
Design inspiration: Mitchell was the first to break through the standardized shorts offered by the UFC, as 'Thug Nasty' began campaigning for custom shorts after winning his very first fight in 2019. Usually after a win, fighters callout opponents for matchmaking. For Mitchell, his first demand was camouflage shorts. A year later, then UFC short maker Reebok laced Mitchell with the brown and black camouflage look, and Venum has continued the custom look since 2021.
Result: Mitchell defeated Andre Fili by unanimous decision in a featherweight bout.
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