Any man who has ever gotten a kick or knee to the groin will do whatever it takes to avoid a repeat. Groin cups, also called groin protectors, are essential pieces of training equipment for any fighter.
A strike to the groin is prohibited in martial arts and other combat sports, but accidents are bound to happen at some point, so you can’t be too careful.
The Best Cups for MMA, Muay Thai and Boxing in 2023
A good groin cup for MMA, Muay Thai, or boxing should be capable of wholly encompassing the groin area and must not be bulky to the extent of hindering movement.
Here are my top picks for best cups for combat sports.
The Diamond MMA Athletic Cup is the perfect choice for professional martial artists and anyone training MMA and Muay Thai as a side sport. The cup should ideally be used together with the compression shorts or the jockstrap.
The cup features a polycarbonate core, the same material used in bulletproof glasses. It can withstand as much as a 20-pound sledge-hammer repeatedly hammered without breaking. Not many of its competitors can resist more than a single blow. It was designed to withstand repeated impacts around the groin.
Furthermore, this cup provides flexibility around its edges to ensure that you don’t get hurt when you grapple. Medical professionals attest to the Diamond MMA cup’s durability and quality, and it is also endorsed by MMA and UFC athletes.
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Fairtex GC2 Steel cup is made out of Aluminum Alloy. The product is designed for kickboxing, Muay Thai, MMA, and other combat sports. It features a steel core with a heavy leather exterior padding. The steel construction also has special foam padding for extra protection.
Groin cups are only usable when they are easy to wear and adjust when in use. Luckily, this product comes in three perfectly fitting sizes and black, red, and blue colors. It has three lace straps for traditional fit and wear, which prevents it from shifting around, although it is less comfortable to wear than jockstraps.
Once you learn how to put on the Fairtex GC2 steel cup correctly, it gets more comfortable over time, and you can be sure that anyone who kicks you in your man zone will wish they hadn’t. It allows plenty of freedom of movement, whether during sparring or a real fight.
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The Venum Challenger Groin Guard features a tough double-layer shock absorber to offer top-notch protection against kicks to the groin. It also has a rubber gel shield to reduce the effects of sudden impacts from kicks while ensuring high flexibility and comfort. Any force that results from blows to the groin is distributed, preventing you from feeling the pain so badly.
The product is designed anatomically such that it fits perfectly on the athlete’s body shape and allows free movement during sparring. It also comes with a Dry-Tech supporter cup to enhance gross ventilation and easy elimination of sweat.
One main thing that people notice first about this protector is its minimal design. Instead of the regular straps on the hips and buttocks, it has only a waistband, two straps, and sleeves for the jockstrap. Although the groin guards have a limited number of designs, the quality is top-notch and offers a high protection level.
Ever heard of a handcrafted groin protector before? RDX groin protector is handmade out of tough Maya Hide leather (CE Certified Approved) to give you long-lasting strength and durability for the product. With the expertly designed Supremo Foam technology, the cup spreads the effects of the impact away from vital areas like the groin and kidneys.
The Supremo foam technology also allows the protector to fit perfectly without preventing it from moving out of position. It comes with a double-layered close cell that shields your groin completely from the heaviest impact possible.
The protector has an extra cup space where additional cups can be added to increase security and provide maximum protection. It also has an ergonomic style to make movement more comfortable, allowing you to kick safely without bruising the hips.
The Lobo (a pun for low-blow) was designed by athletes and got quite a lot of reviews and hypes from several Muay Thai fighters. The cup is a Swedish brand, but its design is inspired by Muay Thai fighters’ traditional steep cups.
The product is made of plastic, but it is extremely hard. Like Thai cups, getting it to fit initially might be challenging, but once you get used to wearing it, you’ll find that it’s very comfortable. Its thin elastic straps and waistbands provide the needed security for the athlete, although some bigger athletes have complained about the straps being too tight.
Lo-bloo Thai cups have ventilation holes to keep the groin region cool. The patented fitting system gives complete protection and mobility. It is easily washable; you can clean it in a washing machine or rinse it under running water.
This product from Shock Doctor comes with a jockstrap option with an ultra pro-carbon flex cup. The ultra pro-carbon flex cup is a rubber cup with extra carbon fiber material. The product comes with an ultra-comfort micro-knit rubber waistband to offer maximum comfort for the athlete.
Its ultra-carbon flex cup provides advanced impact protection by transferring the shock away from the groin area. However, it offers less protection compared to other options on the list.
Asides from the micro-knit waistband, it also has an anti-odor moisture-wicking stretch to wick away moisture from your groin, keeping you dry and cool.
Shock Doctor Ultra Pro cups are very cheap compared to other options, but they are only ideal for light sparring since they offer less protection. So, if your budget is small, this is worth considering.
Pro Impact Groin Protector is professionally designed using high-quality leather shell construction that provides lasting protection through your sparring sessions. The cup does not only protect the jewel but also offers complete protection from the abdominal area down to the groin area.
The cup provides maximum comfort and protection without limiting your mobility. You can comfortably kick and move around in the ring while sparring. It also holds firmly around the waist, preventing any uncomfortable movement and ensuring no need to adjust it constantly while in use. Putting it on is also very easy as it slips on comfortably.
The product can be worn for any combat sports or mixed martial arts, including MMA, kickboxing, and Muay Thai. It is available in medium, large and extra-large sizes for varying body sizes. Just choose the size that fits you perfectly, and you’re safe from excruciating pain.
Windy Ringside Kickboxing cup has a steel core, expertly crafted with a padded outer cup to provide complete compact protection for your groin. Whenever you’re sparring with this cup on, you’re assured of maximum protection from kicks to the “below the belt” areas.
The cup has three adjustable strap designs to allow athletes to put it on easily and clean when not in use. Cleaning can be quickly done by rinsing it in water or using a washing machine.
It has a color variation between red or blue. So you can always pick one that suits your taste or outfit.
How to Wear a Cup for MMA, Boxing, or Muay Thai
Diamond MMA’s cup is the gold standard in groin protection for combat sports. Here’s a tutorial on how to properly fit the cup:
There are two main ways to wear a Diamond MMA cup. You can pair it with a jockstrap or wear it with compression shorts. If you’re using a jockstrap, you’ll need to get the exact one designed with the athletic cup. Ensure that the jockstrap fits your waist perfectly, as a larger size will prevent the cup from being held in place correctly.
Once you’ve put on the jockstrap and pulled up to the waist, all you need to do is to tuck your genitals into the pouch and secure it at the front of the jockstrap. The pointed end of the cup should face downwards, while the wide part should be placed just below the waistband.
For the second method, you need to get a Diamond MMA compression short, which is already designed to hold the Diamond MMA cup. You only need to wear the shorts as you would any other shorts or underwear; then place the cup the same way you would put it in a jockstrap, completely covering your genitals.
Frequently Asked Questions about
These are some common questions asked when selecting the best cups for MMA, Muay Thai, and boxing.
Q: For How Long Can I Use a Groin Cup?
A: The durability of a groin protector depends mostly on its quality, how often you train with it, and the types of training you do. However, you can be sure that most cups last for years.
Q: Can Cups Be Washed?
A: Of course, most MMA groin protectors can be washed but confirm the specifics on the packaging. If there is no information on how to wear a particular protector, you can generally wash them in hot/warm water.
Q: How Do I Wear a Cup?
A: You can either try one of these two options: you can put it into a slit in your compression shorts or use a jockstrap to hold the cup in. The choice is yours, but we recommend the compression shorts method.
Q: Do I Need More than One Cup?
A: You don’t, except you’re competing, you are not likely to need more than one cup. Even then, we advise that you get the same model you use while sparring for competitions. That way, you don’t experience a different feeling from the one you’re already familiar with.
Final Thoughts on Finding the Best Cups for MMA
A kick to the groin can cause a lot of pain and even damage to vital organs around that region. Therefore, when you’re considering choosing the best groin protector, don’t be wry about spending extra money because I can assure you that you’ll not regret it.
The Diamond Cup is my overall best cup for MMA, Muay Thai, kickboxing, and other close contact sports. It fits perfectly in your groin, making it easy and comfortable for you to move around.
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