Mixed martial arts (MMA) sponsors are back \u2026 kind of.<\/p>\n
For longtime MMA fans, sponsor-covered shorts were once a staple of the sport. Companies like Bad Boy, Affliction, Hayabusa, Dynamic Fastener, and countless others (like Condom Depot) helped fighters make extra money<\/a> \u2014 and in many cases, the sponsorship cash exceeded the actual fight purse.<\/p>\n Now, MVP co-founder Nakisa Bidarian says his promotion is taking a different approach.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen we started MVP, Jake [Paul] and I definitely talked about the possibility of it,\u201d Bidarian explained. \u201cWe both clearly aligned on that we want fighters to have their own individuality and the opportunity to make extra money where they can because we\u2019re not in a position yet like the UFC to meaningfully provide the athlete outfitting policy.\u201d<\/p>\n Bidarian confirmed fighters at MVP MMA 1 will be allowed to display sponsors on walkout gear, fight shorts, and fight tops.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen you look at what we\u2019ve done with Netflix \u2014 we\u2019ve maintained the balance of athletes in the boxing events and now with this MMA event, they will have sponsors on their walkout gear, fight shorts, on their fight top \u2014 if they wear one,\u201d Bidarian said. \u201cThere are obviously categories that you can\u2019t have sponsors from, and there are specific ones that may not get approved because they are illegal or not regulated, but overall it is a great opportunity for the fighters.\u201d<\/p>\n Ironically, Bidarian admitted he was heavily involved in helping implement the UFC\u2019s original uniform policy years ago \u2014 a move designed to clean up the sport and help secure mainstream broadcast partnerships like ESPN.<\/p>\n He also confirmed that MVP MMA fighters will earn a minimum payout of $40,000<\/a>, which the promotion plans to maintain moving forward if it expands deeper into MMA.<\/p>\n So yes \u2026 there\u2019s at least a tiny chance Condom Depot makes a comeback.<\/p>\n