Zuffa Boxing has introduced a tiered outfitting policy that allows high-profile fighters to compete in their own fully unique gear, a privilege not extended to UFC athletes. Edgar Berlanga and Richardson Hitchins both wore custom ring gear at Zuffa Boxing 9, departing from the standardised uniforms the promotion had previously required. Ariel Helwani reported that fighters of a certain stature within Zuffa Boxing are permitted to opt out of the uniform, drawing fresh comparisons to the UFC's long-criticised apparel restrictions.
Zuffa Boxing is operating under a different set of rules than its UFC counterpart when it comes to fighter apparel, and the contrast was on full display at Zuffa Boxing 9.
High-profile stars within the promotion are permitted to compete in fully customised ring gear, according to reporting from Ariel Helwani. Edgar Berlanga and Richardson Hitchins both appeared at Zuffa Boxing 9 wearing unique, personalised outfits rather than the standardised uniforms the promotion had previously required of its fighters. The policy, as Helwani described it, applies to fighters of a certain stature within the organisation — effectively creating a tiered system where marquee names enjoy outfitting freedoms unavailable to those further down the card.
The development has drawn immediate comparisons to the UFC's long-standing and frequently criticised apparel policy, which requires all fighters on the roster to wear Reebok — and later Venum — branded gear regardless of individual sponsorship arrangements or personal preference. That system stripped many UFC athletes of outside apparel income and has remained a point of contention within the sport for years.
Why it matters
- The tiered Zuffa Boxing policy signals a deliberate effort to attract and retain elite talent by offering brand-building flexibility not available inside the UFC.
- It highlights a structural difference between the two Endeavor-linked promotions, suggesting Zuffa Boxing is willing to operate by separate commercial rules.
- The contrast reignites debate over whether the UFC's uniform policy remains fit for purpose in a more competitive fighter marketplace.
- For mid-tier or emerging Zuffa Boxing fighters still subject to standardised gear requirements, the two-speed system raises its own questions about equity within the promotion.
