Everything You Need to Wear (and Avoid) on Competition Day

Everything You Need to Wear (and Avoid) on Competition Day

How to Get Ready for No-Gi Competition

No-gi BJJ competitions require more than just skill — they’re about showing up ready, confident, and compliant. While technique wins matches, your gear can make the difference between comfort, performance, and even eligibility. From rash guards to shorts, knowing the rules is an important part of the battle. And here’s the catch: different federations have different requirements, which means one outfit might be perfect for ADCC but completely illegal at IBJJF.

The Basics: Uniform Rules That Apply to All No-Gi Competitions

Across the board, no-gi competitions expect:

  • Shirts or Rash Guards: Skin-tight, elastic tops that fully cover the torso and don’t have zippers, buttons, or other hazards.
  • Shorts/Compression Pants: Safe, snug-fitting, and free of pockets, zippers, or metal/plastic parts. Shorts generally should cover at least halfway down the thigh but not go past the knee.
  • Cleanliness and Safety: No jewelry, watches, or anything that could injure your opponent. Hair should be tied back, nails trimmed, and no loose clothing allowed.

These basic rules ensure safety and fairness—but the devil is in the details.

How Federations Differ

IBJJF (International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation)

The IBJJF is strict, leaving little room for error:

  • Shirts/Rash Guards: Must be elastic, skin-tight, and cover the torso completely. Allowed colors are black, white, black-and-white, or your belt color (with at least 10% showing). Black belts may have a small red area, but it cannot misrepresent rank.
  • Men’s Shorts: Board shorts must be black, white, black-and-white, or belt-colored. No pockets, buttons, zippers, or exposed drawstrings. Length must cover halfway down the thigh but not exceed the knee. Compression shorts in approved colors are permitted underneath.
  • Women’s Shorts/Compression Pants: Shorts, spats, or compression shorts in approved colors, stitched pockets only, no zippers/buttons, and mid-thigh to knee length.

ADCC (Abu Dhabi Combat Club)

ADCC is more lenient but still has strict safety standards:

  • Shorts must be snug and free of pockets or hard elements, but board shorts are generally allowed as long as they are clean and non-restrictive.
  • Rash guards are not mandatory (in male divisions), and neither are belt-color distinctions.
  • No gi-like grips are allowed—any accessory that could create a “gi” advantage is prohibited.

Other Local or Regional Competitions

Local tournaments often combine elements from IBJJF and ADCC, with some quirks:

  • Some allow patterned rash guards or more casual shorts, but pockets must still be sewn shut.
  • Hair and hygiene rules are almost always enforced.
  • Always check the tournament’s rule sheet — wrong outfits could get you penalized or disqualified.

Key Takeaways

  • Safety First: Anything with metal, plastic, or loose parts is a no-go.
  • Fit Matters: Skin-tight tops and snug shorts prevent unnecessary grabbing.
  • Color Rules: Always know if your federation requires belt-color representation.
  • Check Before You Compete: When in doubt, confirm with the tournament organizers.

No-gi competition is fast, technical, and unforgiving. Your uniform should never be the thing holding you back. By understanding the rules across IBJJF, ADCC, and local tournaments, you can step onto the mat fully prepared—ready to focus on what really matters: dominating your match.

Tesshin Gear: Built for Competition, Ready for Any Mat

Tesshin rashguards and shorts are designed with competition in mind, meeting all the key safety and performance criteria required for no-gi tournaments. Our rashguards are made from skin-tight, elastic material that moves with you while fully covering the torso, and our shorts are free of pockets, zippers, buttons, or any hard elements that could pose a risk to you or your opponent. They’re built to stay in place during scrambles, sweeps, and submissions, keeping you focused on your performance.

For athletes competing in IBJJF events, some products are available in belt-color variants to comply with the federation’s rank-color requirements. Always check the specific product page to ensure the piece you choose meets the belt-color regulations for your division.

With Tesshin, you get gear that’s competition-ready, high-quality, and designed to let you dominate on the mat without compromise.

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