Best Cup for BJJ

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a highly dynamic, and systematic form of combat sports. When BJJ first began, the art was all about self defense principles, as Helio and Carlos Gracie taught Gracie Jiu Jitsu, which combined elements of ground fighting, judo, and striking. From the beginning many of the Gracie clan members would battle in vale tudo fights throughout the streets of Brazil. Due to this aspect many BJJ Fighters would need some of the best bjj ear guards, mouth protection, and groin protection, just to survive through the uprising of the art of grappling. As the art evolved over the last century, many innovations have changed the face of the game. As many techniques have improved, so has the equipment used in order to keep all athletes as safe as humanly possible. 

What this article covers:

• What Is the Purpose of a Cup
• Are Cups Mandatory for BJJ Competition
• What to Look out For when Buying a Cup
• The Best BJJ Cups on The Market
• Other Safety Equipment for BJJ
• BJJ in Mma and the Use of Cups

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF A CUP

The purpose of a cup in combat sports is so the athlete can protect their groin area. It can be quite common in forms of martial arts to see an athlete suffer from blows to their vital areas. Traditionally, a cup was worn in the early years of BJJ, as the Gracie family would fight in many Vale Tudo matches. It was exceedingly important to protect the groin region, especially during grappling rounds, otherwise, athletes could suffer from injuries like testicular fractures, testicular torsion, and testicular ruptures. Many of these injuries bear serious repercussions like extreme pain, swelling in the scrotum, nausea, and vomiting. Once there has been a trauma to the testicle or scrotum, it will begin with severe pain. This pain around the testicle may also be because of infection or swelling of the epididymis. Because the epididymis has a very thin wall, and it can become increasingly red and swollen by infection or injury. This is why wearing a cup can be the saving grace, especially if the grappling match has striking involved in each round.

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Nowadays as different BJJ organisations have risen, the likelihood of groin related injuries are increasing. Eddie Bravo's Combat Jiu Jitsu is one tournament that allows palm strikes to the head, and the body, as athletes might be rethinking whether they are allowed to wear groin protection. In early BJJ many of the Gracie clan members would wear cups during their fights, and this was mainly due to the fact they would start on the feet, and throw punches, and kicks at each other. Vale Tudo fights were basically the start of Mixed Martial Arts, and the necessity for groin protection, knee protection, various injury protection, and the best mouth guard for jiu jitsu became extremely important in avoiding significant injuries.

ARE CUPS MANDATORY FOR BJJ COMPETITION 

Athletes may often wonder if cups are mandatory in BJJ, and as a student has no obligation to wear a cup, they may wear one in training. Wearing a cup during Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitions is highly illegal, and this is because cups are generally made of hard plastic, which can cause some serious damage to an opponent. If a student attempts a joint hold while they are wearing a cup, the hard plastic will act as a vulcrim, introducing the risk of potential injury to their opponent through leverage. The same could happen if a student wearing a cup takes their opponent's back;then, with enough pressure, they could damage their opponent's spinal column. Although this may sound fair, the athlete is left open to the associated risks of groin damage. All students sign waivers when they train in BJJ, so it is easy to understand why Jiu-Jitsu fighters are fine with this kind of risk, as the chances of seriously damaging their groin region during a BJJ fight are much lower than compared with other combat sports that allow striking.

WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR WHEN BUYING A CUP

When it comes to athletes wearing protective cups in BJJ training, there are more widespread concerns. Wearing cups are completely illegal in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu tournaments, but are allowed in the training academy. BJJ has an extremely fast, and dynamic nature, meaning athletes may encounter moments where injuries can happen, so wearing a cup during training is understandable to some degree. On the other hand it can become quite dangerous for their opponents, as the hard shell of a cup could result in unnecessary injuries. There is also the facet of the cup moving around during training, and this can result in pinching of the vital areas, as well as wasted time to readjust the equipment. Regardless of the pros and cons, there is a risk of heavy pressure, or accidental strikes to the groin area during BJJ matches. For this reason there are cups that can assist athletes during their training sessions.

It is hard to know what to look for when an athlete is choosing protective groin equipment. Just like the criteria involved in searching for the best grappling dummy for bjj, athletes need to weigh up the pros and cons. A well fitted cup is designed to stay secured to an athlete during long periods of training. So one of the important aspects to look out for is a well ventilated cup, that offers comfort and protection. There are different options available like a jock strap, or compression shorts with an added cup, it really is up to each individual to see which option is the best for them. overall finding the right piece of equipment comes down to trial and error, as what might work for someone, might not work for someone else. The important factors to remember when buying an athletic cup are protection, ventilation, comfort, durability, and affordability.

THE BEST BJJ CUPS ON THE MARKET

There is a multitude of different athletic cups on the market, and each of them have different levels of comfort and protection. The Diamond MMA Quad Supporter jock, and cup system is one of the premium groin protectors on the current market. The cup is built specifically to resist high impact blows, and is perfect for athletes who compete in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and Mixed Martial Arts. This groin protection equipment incorporates a co-molded elastomer material, and combines with a polycarbonate core. This design is perfect to provide a high rating of protection, and comfort for many different athletes. There are sizes that range from a 28 inch waist up to a 44, which means it is suitable for most sizes of athletes.

The Shock Doctor's Ultra Pro BJJ Groin Protection Cup is among the best athletic cups in the business. Shock Doctor is synonymous with high end quality equipment, as they are one of the leaders in the market with their iconic reputation for great products. The Shock Doctor Ultra Pro BJJ Cup offers outstanding comfort, all while presenting a premium level of protection. The cup has a breathable mesh jock strap that has a real comfortable feel, and an unrestricted range of motion. The Shock Doctor have another extremely successful athletic cup called the Athletic Supporter Jock with Aircore, and it is one of the most durable cups for serious competitors. They also offer many lightweight options that will give the wearer a maximum protection, with little to no discomfort within the groin area. BJJ is all about high paced rolling with dynamic movements, and this means that a maximum mobility is needed. The Shock Doctor Aircore Protective BJJ cup is one of the best choices on the market. The cup is 30% lighter than most other brands on the market, and has a chafe free flat lock stitching jock strap, that has a premier micro knit waistband. The jockstrap is machine washable, and fits perfectly within the parametres of the cup. Although it may have less protection than heavier cups, it still is a great peice of equipment.

The Ultra Carbon Flex Cup has a distinctive advantage over its competitors, as the multi layer impact protection will transfer the shock of any impact away from the vital areas. It has a flex curve design, with a gel perimeter which will enhance the mobility, and the comfort of the cup. The Ultra Comfort micro knit waistband offers a premium fit, and is also included in the purchase with the BJJ groin protection cup. What this cup lacks in durability more than makes up for in innovation, as the multi layer carbon flex impact protection breathable jock strap is ahead of its time. The Venum Challenger BJJ Groin guard and Support is a cup brand that specializes in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, as well as other combat sports products.The double layerd shock absorber offers the wearer a superior groin protection, with its highly anatomical design, that contours to the shape of its wearer. The rubber gel shield will also minimise any blunt force trauma to the groin region. The Challenger is built to fit with the Venum Dry Tech supporter, which will give an athlete an optimal fit.

The last cup protection on this list is the RDX Groin Cup for MMA and BJJ Training. The RDX is an extremely versatile cup that is extremely durable with its polycarbonate exterior. This athletic cup is the perfect fit for a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu competitor, as it will resist the most brutal impacts without any kind of shape loss. The hard, lightweight, and shatterproof material is one of the most efficient materials found within the groin protection cup market. This cup will also provide athletes with an unrestricted sense of movement, and this is a vital aspect considering the dynamic, and rigorous nature of BJJ. The ergonomic design will not hinder the movement or flexibility, as it will only stay in its position throughout the entire training session. The shell shock gel lining provides an outstanding impact protection, as it will transfer any force, and absorb it in the athletic cup. The cup has an exemplary ventilation standard, as it ensures airflow is circulating, and there is no build up of sweat, or discomfort.

OTHER SAFETY EQUIPMENT FOR BJJ

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu fighters are well versed in injury prevention, and this is because BJJ has a highly dynamic system of grappling. During the course of a BJJ match an athlete will encounter hard impacts, grinding pressure, squeezing pressure, and stress loading onto their joints, as an athlete will become accustomed to these aspects. Cups may be worn during training, but are illegal during competition, which is the same for ear guards as they are okay to use in training, but illegal in IBJJF competition. Mouth guards are bjj must haves as they are extremely necessary during training, and competition, as the need to protect an athlete's teeth, and jaw is a fundamental must. Athletes will also use various types of protective braces like elbow guards, knee guards, ankle guards, and wrist guards, but during competition any type of guards, or bulky strapping is deemed illegal. However athletes can use strapping tape to wrap up an injury, but it has to be as little as possible, or they run the risk of not being allowed to compete.

BJJ IN MMA AND THE USE OF CUPS

BJJ was formed a century ago by Helio Gracie, and Carlos Gracie, and as they were challenged by many outsiders they would fight using all of their systems. Many of their fights were against professional wrestlers, catch wrestlers, luta livre fighters, and other Jiu Jitsu fighters, as they engaged in Vale Tudo fights with some of them lasting hours. Striking was allowed in Vale Tudo, and this was basically an early form of Mixed Martial Arts. The torch was passed down to the next generation of Gracie combatants like Rickson Gracie, Renzo Gracie, Rolls Gracie, and Royler Gracie, as they also competed in Vale Tudo events, and grappling tournaments. Some of the fights would be No Gi, which in those days consisted of shorts and a bare chest, while other fights the Gracie members would wear the best competition bjj gi to fight using grips, and lapels. Eventually BJJ graced the stage of Mixed Martial Arts in the 1990's, as Royce Gracie dominated the landscape showcasing his family's heritage.

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Nowadays Mixed Martial Arts has become extremely popular all over the world, with many different branches of the sport available in most countries. Organisations like the UFC, One Championship, Pride FC, Strikeforce, and the XFC, have contributed to the growth, and the development of the combat sport. Fighters these days are more cautious than twenty years ago, as they all are more calculated, and possess a more all round skill set. Many fighters wear cups as groin protection, and this is due to the nature of the fight game. Even when a fighter wearing protection gets kicked in the groin it can cause significant damage, so you can imagine just how bad an injury would be without one. All fighters must wear them anyway, as it is mandatory during any kind of MMA contest. Cups can be annoying even to the best fighters in the world, but it is even more important to protect their future rather than feel uncomfortable. Cups will always be a part of the fight game, and most fighters value the protection that they give.

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