Do Female MMA Fighters Wear Cups?

MMA female fighter Holly Holm kicked Germaine de Randamie's groin but still lost in UFC 208.

Source: middleeasy.com

If you are in the MMA Octagon ring, for competing or training, accidents can happen. UFC rules and regulations are pretty strict and require male fighters to wear cups. 

Now the question is, do female MMA fighters wear cups? No, female UFC fighter does not need to wear cups. This is logical since men are vulnerable even though groin shots are illegal.

Do Female MMA Fighters Wear Cups?

According to UFC rules and regulations, females are restricted to wear protective cups. 

Females need to adjust their training to help them develop versatile and stronger groin muscles. Female fighters can perform certain exercises to increase muscle stretching and blood flow. By doing all these things, they can bounce back quickly from any groin shot they receive. 

Without cups, female MMA fighters still wear all protective equipment, including gloves, mouthguards, and cups.

There is no doubt that groin shots are illegal, but they can happen anytime you need cups for protection. UFC has made a policy regarding this and allows male fighters to protect their sensitive parts and their future progenies. MMA fighters wearing protecting cups enjoy various benefits such as:

• Avoidance of Injury and Serious Pain

Protective cups can avoid serious injury in case of accidental strikes. Cups provide essential protection and distribute the impact. Moreover, hits to the groin are less painful if not bearable. Fighters who don’t wear cups are at serious risk of injury. Groin injuries can be severe and take weeks or months to recover from. If the injury was severe, a fighter might require surgery to recover. However, the chances are rare, but a fighter can suffer permanent damage as well.  

• For Easier Stretching

Some protective cups are made of high-quality materials, such as compression shorts, and they allow better performance. It offers a lot more stretching. All MMA fighters are familiar with the importance of stretching before performances either in competitions or training. Cups can help you by aiding your movements in groin stretches. In this way, they help to avoid strains in the groin region and improve your overall performance. 

• Hold Things in Place

Men have to control lots of things during fight or training; especially, they have to control their lower body parts while sparring. Protective cups can do this without restricting your movements. Though it depends on the type and design of the cup you choose. You can wear protective cups for all the reasons mentioned above. 

Types of Cups

It is essential to consider what kind of cup you prefer to wear. While selecting cups, it is necessary to see whether they suit your body type and fighting style. UFC has clear policies about what you can wear what you can’t. Protective cups that fighters choose to wear must be according to UFC rules and regulations. These cups shouldn’t include extra padding and prohibited materials. 

Apart from keeping the policies in mind, look for the durability, utility, and comfort. MMA fighters can choose a protective cup from three designs given-below:

• Jockstraps 

These are the traditional type of protective cups, and these are made of elastic and contain a drawstring that can help in easy adjustment. The elasticity provides greater flexibility. Wearing Jockstraps can feel strange and hard to get used to. Therefore, it can be the best solution to wear them during training sessions to adjust movements. 

• Compression Shorts

Their design is similar to actual shorts, but they contain built-in cups for protection. Moreover, they are easy to wear and adjust. These cups are ideal for groin stretching and allow your muscles to warm up before sparring. Moreover, sometimes they can be very tight, so make sure to buy one that fits your body type and avoid hindering your performance. 

• Muay Thai Style

These are commonly three-string cups. Strings help in the proper fitting of the cup. The cup contains foam that allows absorbing any hit MMA fighters can perform better in techniques like Taekwondo and Jiu-Jitsu. When we look for comfort, Muay-Thai cups are the best choice. 

Which Cup is best for MMA Fighter?

When choosing protective cups, you need to ensure that which works best for you. Different fighters may have different preferences. The best cups depend on fighters and how they weigh the pros and cons. While deciding which type of cup works best for you, compare different cups, and look for their price and quality. Consider the following factors when buying an MMA Cup: 

• Durability 

The material of

you. Different fighters may have different preferences. The best cups depend on fighters and how they weigh the pros and cons. While deciding which type of cup works best for you, compare different cups, and look for their price and quality. Consider the following factors when buying an MMA Cup: 

• Durability 

The material of the protective must be hard but not too tight. Polycarbonate is the most commonly used material in protective cups, and it can absorb low blows and impacts well. The cups should be durable but not too rigid. The rigid protective cups can affect your performance and damage your health. 

• Functionality  

Cups are used for protection, but they shouldn’t become loose during the fighting. You can’t adjust during the middle of a fight. Therefore, you need well-fitted cups. Most MMA experts recommend wearing compression shorts. These shorts stay in place and adjustable with a quick tug to the waistband. 

• Comfort  

You need cups in which you feel comfortable during movements. If the cups don’t fit right, they can make you feel awkward. Moreover, cups should allow airflow to absorb sweat and cool your groin region. If there is no airflow, it can cause bacteria, and it can become unhygienic. 

Protective cups are essential components for MMA male fighters, but female fighters are not allowed to wear protective cups. Choose the best and well-fitted protective cups so that they don’t hinder your performance.