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Should the UFC implement a strict dress code for all fighters?

  • Yes, they should all be required to wear suits.

    Votes: 7 23.3%
  • No, they should be allowed to wear casual clothing.

    Votes: 9 30.0%
  • I don't care.

    Votes: 14 46.7%

Benson Henderson Takes to Facebook to Report, Vilify New UFC Dress Code

4K views 36 replies 21 participants last post by  GDPofDRB 
#1 ·
Dress Code?

Yay or nay!

The UFC apparently has a new official dress code for fighters (and other television talent) who are traveling on the UFC's dime for publicity tours and other marketing related events.

And at least one UFC champion isn't happy about it.

Lightweight title holder Benson Henderson took to his personal Facebook account to reveal a portion of the UFC's email instructing fighters that they're going to need to step up their clothes game when they're out and about promoting the organization.

Here's what the UFC sent out to all talent and fighters:

“Per Jackie, effective immediately, fighters and talent traveling on press tours and PR/marketing-related appearances are no longer permitted to wear shorts or flip flops. Jeans are acceptable and shoes are a must.”

Going forward, I'm going to refer to this as The Henderson Rule, named in honor of the lightweight champion who tends to rock a casual look at all times. Henderson's laid-back attitude extends to his clothing choices, and I've rarely seen him in anything other than a sponsor t-shirt, khaki cargo shorts and flip flops. And yes, that infamous toothpiece from the Nate Diaz fight last December is ever-present.

As you've probably guessed by now, Henderson isn't too keen on this new ruling:

Mwahahaha!!! Guess @ufc decided to make it official...I'm a start calling them the NBA...guess it's one thing to be encouraged to do or dress one way & entirely another thing to be told to do or dress one way...

Don't get me wrong, I'm gonna dress how my employers want but doesn't mean I gotta be happy about it..."Don't let the man hold you down" "Fight the power" "You can take my life but you can never take my FREEDOM!!!"

I give kudos to the UFC for wanting their athletes to look more like professional athletes. As Henderson alluded to, the NBA has a strict dress code that governs what the players can wear on the bench and when traveling between cities. The NBA also takes the code far beyond what the UFC has instituted:

The new dress code banned fashions most often associated with hip-hop culture, specifically: Hardwood Classics jerseys (or any other jersey), jeans, hats, do-rags, t-shirts, large jewelry, sneakers and Timberland style boots.

And you know what? NBA players, for the most part, exude professionalism, at least when it comes to how they look. They look sharp. Some of them still make unfortunate Craig Sager-style clothing decisions, but you get my point.

Picture187_original_crop_exact Chill out, Benson. You could be required to wear THIS.

This is a good move by the UFC, and one that should be applauded. Mixed martial arts already has enough trouble finding acceptance with the majority of society as it is due to the fact that our athletes are punching and kicking each other in the face inside of a steel cage, often on a canvas stained with blood from fights that occurred earlier in the evening. Giving the athletes a clean look can't hurt.

Now, if we can just get Dana White to start wearing Vince McMahon-style suits, we'll be set.
 
#6 ·
The majority of professional athletes under any kind of banner are expected to abide by a certain standard. All this is, is the UFC catching up. Dana's been saying for years this will be the biggest sport in the world, that would also make it the most "main stream" as well if he is to be right about that. This is just a step in that direction. Put some pants on Bendo, you'll be fine.
 
#7 ·
I think a it's a good move if it is applied in a sensible manner.

Press conferences, Interviews, TV etc etc, yeah fine. Meet and greets, expos etc, not so much.

I wonder if this will effect a fighters sponsor money if they arent allowed to wear the Tshirts to the press conference?

How long before we see a Tapout suit? :D
 
#9 ·
Excellent points. I voted yes. If you want to be serious about your brand then you need to be professional. That is unless you're a billionaire then you can do whatever tha f you please.

Fighters wear their sponsor brands to the weigh ins and fights. When it comes to mainstream interviews on live television or press conferences they can suit up!

This will be the difference between being paid peanuts in the barn yard shows vs big league money.
 
#11 ·
Why is he complaining? They're not telling him what he has to wear all the time, just when he's at work. Don't most of us have a dress code at work? I don't like wearing business casual everyday to work, but that's the policy, that's why I look forward to casual Fridays! Jeans and t-shirt ftw!
 
#15 ·
This is nothing but a bad thing. People are just parroting nonsensical gibberish that has been beaten into them. There is no such thing as dressing professionally as a universal standard. All this does is exclude people of various cultures from relating to fighters in another way.

They aren't working at some retail store like walmart they don't need uniforms for the customers to recognize them and ask them for help. When they start wearing armani suits while punching each other in the face that will become their professional attire.

You can't tell me any of you ever gave a shit when these guys wore tshirts or timbs or thought less of them for it.
 
#17 ·
I really don't care either way about this issue, but can't we turn this 'boo hoo he's making millions' and turn it on Dana and the Ferttitas?

Those guys are making more coin thant anyone so why should they complain to other people about dressing a certain way? Why are they crying about it?
 
#31 ·
Maybe a couple of fighters have stinky feet and rather than singling them out and embarrassing them they just instituted it for everyone.

Any Europeans in this thread? Is it still a big deal that an Adult male shouldn't wear shorts if he is old enough for pants or is that tradition a bit antiquated. If it's still in effect, expanding into the Euro market might be valid reason for requiring pants.
 
#35 ·
This is a good move by the UFC, and one that should be applauded. Mixed martial arts already has enough trouble finding acceptance with the majority of society as it is due to the fact that our athletes are punching and kicking each other in the face inside of a steel cage, often on a canvas stained with blood from fights that occurred earlier in the evening. Giving the athletes a clean look can't hurt.
This. Imo, this is good for the UFC, and MMA in general.
 
#37 ·
I get this feeling sometimes that the jeans thing might have something to do with guys wearing shorts with all kinds of sponsors they don't want them wearing off camera at public functions as well as on their television broadcasts.
 
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