After more than five years with official clothing sponsor Reebok, the UFC unveiled their newest partnership with Venum on Tuesday morning with a photoshoot featuring several fighters.  Upon launch, the UFC unveiled several of the different options that the athletes will have available.

When you find the perfect fit… it just feels right 🐍

💢 UFC Authentic Fight Night Kits | @Venum

[ Now on @UFCStore: https://t.co/j5B1Dgf6fJ ] pic.twitter.com/ql5RT64q2C

— UFC (@ufc) April 6, 2021

By comparison, the new Venum fight kits look similar to what was available to fighters at the end of the UFC’s Reebok deal with colors like blue, green, black, and yellow to wear in the cage.  Identical to the Reebok kit, all the uniforms will be customized with the fighters names and champions will have a special black kit with gold trim.  There is also additional apparel such as hoodies, hats, pants, and rash guards.  The kit was available online on Tuesday morning with fans already having the option to customize their apparel for an additional price.  At the UFC store, prices began at $80 for the new jerseys and $150 for the walkout hoodies.

In a statement, Venum said:

VENUM‘S understanding of what MMA fighters need while training and competing will be seen throughout the product line including the ‘Fight Week Gear’ and ‘Fight Night Kit’. The Fight Night shorts will be incredibly light and comfortable, providing a second-skin-feel thanks to their “featherweight” microfiber material. The waistband will utilize thermo-bonded and extra-flat elastic seams to perfectly adapt to the shape of the athlete’s body. The side slits will provide total freedom of movement, a well-known VENUM trademark.

Venum has provided apparel for combat sports athletes for several years, previously providing fight shorts for UFC fighters Jose Aldo, “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung, and others.  The Venum fight kits will make their debut at this Saturday’s fight night that will air on network television on ABC.

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The apparel company, who have sponsored fighters like Lyoto Machida, Fabricio Werdum, and Carlos Condit, was revealed as the heir apparent to Reebok in a press release Friday.

So long, Reebok. We’ll miss your whimsical missteps. Long live Giblert Melendez.

“We’re pumped that VENUM will be joining us as our new exclusive global outfitting and apparel partner,” said UFC President Dana White [in Friday’s press release]. “VENUM is an Iconic combat sports brand that understands the unique needs of MMA athletes. Franck Dupuis and his team at VENUM have the technical knowledge and experience that will produce world-class UFC Fight Kits and apparel. We’re looking forward to collaborating with them on this next evolution of UFC’s outfitting program.”

The deal will kick in as of April 2021. Until that point, Reebok will remain as the official outfitter of the UFC. As part of Friday’s announcement, the promotion stated that “UFC will adjust the pay scale tied to its Promotional Guidelines Compliance program, which will result in across the board increases for all athletes effective April 2021.”

No specifics on how much of an increase fighters can expect were announced.

The Reebok deal came into effect in 2014, instantly wiping out sponsorship money for athletes in favor of outfitting pay for fighters, based on tenure with the promotion, among other factors. That led to a number of high profile fighters voicing their displeasure, and in some cases leaving the promotion in favor of rivals who still allowed for individual sponsorships.

Reebok will also “continue to serve as the official footwear provider of UFC through the end of next calendar year.”

“We appreciate the partnership with Reebok over the past six years. It was a groundbreaking deal that elevated both of our brands. We’re pleased that Reebok will continue with us as the official footwear provider of UFC through 2021,” White was quoted as saying.

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