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TapouTSPRAWL® Signature MMA GripFlex™ Fight Shorts
The fifth-generation SPRAWL® GripFlex™ is the latest and greatest loose-fit fight short from the original fight short company.
- Flexible lightweight, non-abrasive, high-tech polymer fused to the inseam of the fight shorts creates ‘Grip-Zones’ to help secure finishing holds and counter the slippery effects of sweat.
- 2-way stretch in the V-Flex™ has been upgraded to a lightweight 4-way stretch, providing unrestricted leg movement for maximum kicking range and guard work.
- Improved sizing provides correct fit when worn with groin protector.
- Gathered, adjustable waistband design with internal drawstring provides a super secure fit, and reduces shifting during ground fighting.
Fight Shorts Primer
There are two basic categories of fight shorts, tight and loose fit. Tight fight shorts, sometimes referred to as Vale Tudo fight shorts for their use in no holds barred matches in Brazil in the 50s through the 90s, were the standard during the birth of the sport. Their popularity has waned as the sport grew up. GSP, please don't beat me up for saying this, but tight fight shorts look a little like they would be perfect for a Frenchman, at the beach. Loose fit fight shorts on the other hand, look like a boxing trunks, modified to the needs of MMA, with a surfwear feel.
The first factor ito consider in choosing a loose-fit fight short.is functionality. Do the shorts work well for MMA and Grappling training and competition? Unlike board shorts, fight shorts are subject to constant grabbing and pulling, so the waist band has to be uniquely designed. Fit is also critical to functionality, so that there is no binding while kicking, level changing, or working guard, all while wearing a cup. Fabric comes into play, as it has to be flexible enough to be unbinding, strong enough for a fight, and cool enough for hours of training. The shorts have to have an inside pocket for a mouthpiece, but no outside pockets that can catch toes and fingers. Further, MMA is about intended harm, zippers or prominent buttons can cause unintended harm to your training partners and opponents.
Because this isn't polo, and we are not rich, durability is another crucial factor in choosing a short. Choose a short that can take use and abuse over time. Ask around the gym for what shorts maintain their look and feel, and what shorts fade, shrink, tear, sag, and otherwise lose their value.
Looks too are important, although of course a matter of taste. Everyone has the goal of finding sponsorship, so you should have the right platform for a potential sponsor's name or logo or url.
Lastly and uniquely is the technology. Sports equipment over the past 100 years has shown vast improvements. Football helmets are no longer leather. Tennis racquets are no longer wood. And boxing gloves are no longer full of horse hair. The same is true of Mixed Martial Arts and Grappling.
The first factor ito consider in choosing a loose-fit fight short.is functionality. Do the shorts work well for MMA and Grappling training and competition? Unlike board shorts, fight shorts are subject to constant grabbing and pulling, so the waist band has to be uniquely designed. Fit is also critical to functionality, so that there is no binding while kicking, level changing, or working guard, all while wearing a cup. Fabric comes into play, as it has to be flexible enough to be unbinding, strong enough for a fight, and cool enough for hours of training. The shorts have to have an inside pocket for a mouthpiece, but no outside pockets that can catch toes and fingers. Further, MMA is about intended harm, zippers or prominent buttons can cause unintended harm to your training partners and opponents.
Because this isn't polo, and we are not rich, durability is another crucial factor in choosing a short. Choose a short that can take use and abuse over time. Ask around the gym for what shorts maintain their look and feel, and what shorts fade, shrink, tear, sag, and otherwise lose their value.
Looks too are important, although of course a matter of taste. Everyone has the goal of finding sponsorship, so you should have the right platform for a potential sponsor's name or logo or url.
Lastly and uniquely is the technology. Sports equipment over the past 100 years has shown vast improvements. Football helmets are no longer leather. Tennis racquets are no longer wood. And boxing gloves are no longer full of horse hair. The same is true of Mixed Martial Arts and Grappling.
