Rashguard 101: Fit, fabric, and why it matters for grappling

Rashguard 101: Fit, fabric, and why it matters for grappling

Rashguard 101: Fit, fabric, and why it matters for grappling

If you’ve ever rolled in a loose cotton tee, you already know the problem: it twists, rides up, gets grabbed, and turns into a distraction.

A rashguard is built to do the opposite — stay in place, protect your skin and handle hard rounds.

This guide covers how a rashguard should fit, what features matter (and what’s just marketing), short sleeve vs long sleeve, and when you should wear a rashguard vs a training tee.

Why rashguards matter (beyond looking the part)

A good rashguard helps with:

Staying clean in scrambles

Loose fabric gets pulled and tangled. A fitted rashguard stays tight to your torso so you can move.

Skin protection

Rashguards reduce mat burn, friction rash, and minor scratches during clinch and ground exchanges.

Hygiene in close-contact training

Less exposed skin contact during drilling is simply cleaner — especially in no-gi.

How a rashguard should fit (simple checklist)

A rashguard should feel snug but not restrictive.

  • Shoulders: no pinching when you reach overhead

  • Chest: fitted without restricting breathing

  • Arms: tight enough not to bunch, but you can fully extend

  • Length: stays covered when you sprawl or shrimp

  • Neck: comfortable when you look down and rotate

If it rides up, twists, or balloons under grips — it’s too big.
If it restricts shoulder movement — it’s too small.

Check the Size Guide:
https://deusfightwear.com/pages/size-guide

Rashguard fabric and build: what actually matters

Stretch that returns to shape

You want fabric that stretches for movement then snaps back after washing. If it goes baggy fast, it won’t perform.

Strong stitching in high-stress zones

Underarms, shoulders, and side seams take the most tension. Good stitching stops blowouts over time.

Comfort against skin

A rashguard should feel smooth. If it’s rough, you’ll feel it every round.

Long sleeve vs short sleeve

Short sleeve rashguard is best for general MMA training, warm gyms, and mixed sessions.

Long sleeve rashguard is best for grappling-heavy training, extra mat burn protection, and colder gyms/winter training.

If you’re prone to mat burn, long sleeve is a solid move.

Rashguard vs training tee: when to wear which

  • Rashguard: grappling/no-gi, clinch-heavy MMA, hard drilling

  • Training tee: striking sessions, pads, lifting, conditioning

A simple setup is rashguard + shorts for grappling/MMA rounds, and tee + shorts for striking/S&C days.

Shop Men’s MMA & Gym Clothing UK:
https://deusfightwear.com/collections/mens-mma-clothing-uk

View Full Catalogue:
https://deusfightwear.com/collections/mma-clothing-uk

Want a personalised rashguard for fight kit?

If you’re building a custom kit (name, sponsors, colours), start here:

Custom Kit page:
https://deusfightwear.com/pages/custom-kit

Custom kit deposit:
https://deusfightwear.com/products/custom-mma-kit-deposit

Final word

A rashguard should feel like part of you — not something you fight mid-round.

Get the fit right, choose the sleeve length based on your training, and your sessions instantly feel cleaner.

FAQs

Should a rashguard be tight?
Yes — snug and fitted. It shouldn’t restrict breathing or shoulder movement.

Is long sleeve better for no-gi?
Not “better”, but it offers more skin protection from mat burn. Many grapplers prefer it.

Can I train MMA in a rashguard?
Yes. Rashguards work well for grappling and clinch-heavy MMA sessions.