Introduction
Many fighters, coaches, and small gyms dream of launching their own merch. T-shirts, hoodies, gloves, and training gear can help build your brand while creating an extra income stream. The good news is you don’t need a big budget or professional experience to get started. With modern tools, anyone can take an idea and quickly turn it into real products.
This guide walks you through the basics — simple steps to help you bring your MMA merch idea to life.
Start With One Clear Idea
Great merch lines usually begin with one strong concept. Instead of trying to launch a full clothing brand at once, focus on a single idea that represents your message or style.
A good starting point is:
- Your gym logo
- A phrase you use during training
- A simple graphic that represents your style or community
- A clean design based on your name, nickname, or initials
Keeping things focused helps you create a clean first product that people actually want to wear.
Know Who You’re Creating For
Before you design anything, think about your target customer:
- Gym members
- Fans who follow you
- Local beginners
- A niche community (BJJ players, strikers, MMA hobbyists)
Different groups prefer different styles.
For example:
- BJJ athletes often like clean, minimalist rash guards
- Strikers prefer bold graphics and bright colors
- Gym members may want something that shows team loyalty
Create for a specific group instead of trying to please everyone.
Start With Simple Products
You don’t need a full catalog on day one. Start with 1–3 products that are easy to design and sell:
- T-shirts
- Hoodies
- Hats
- Basic rash guards
- Shorts
- Stickers
These items have low risk, low cost, and high appeal. Once you know what your audience likes, you can add more.
Choose Your Design Style
A few common styles work well in MMA merch:
Clean and Minimal
Simple fonts, sharp lines, small logos. Easy to wear anywhere.
Bold and Graphic
Larger artwork, bright colors, motivational phrases.
Vintage/Streetwear
Distressed fonts, retro colors, oversized prints.
Team Identity
Your gym name, mascot, or local pride.
The best approach is to pick a style that matches your personality and stick with it.
Hire a Designer — or Do It Yourself
You don’t need expensive design work. You have options:
Do it yourself
You can design simple logos or text-based graphics using tools like:
- Canva
- Adobe Express
- Affinity Designer
Hire affordable designers
Platforms like:
- Fiverr
- Upwork
- 99designs
…make it easy to find someone who specializes in apparel graphics.
Give designers clear ideas and examples so your vision translates well.
Choose Your Fulfillment Method
There are two main ways to sell merch:
1. Print-on-Demand (POD)
You design the product, upload it, and the POD service prints and ships each order.
Popular choices:
- Printful
- Printify
- TeeSpring
- Apliiq
Pros:
- No inventory
- No upfront costs
- Easy setup
Cons:
- Lower profit margins
- Limited control over materials
This is great for beginners or fighters testing their first designs.
2. Bulk Orders
You order products in larger quantities from a manufacturer.
Pros:
- Higher profit margins
- More control over quality
- Better for gyms with steady demand
Cons:
- Upfront cost
- You handle shipping or fulfillment
This works well for established brands or gyms with loyal students.
Pick a Store Platform
You need a place to sell your merch. The easiest options:
Shopify
The most popular e-commerce platform. Great for long-term growth.
Etsy
Good for simple POD designs, especially if your style is creative.
Instagram/Facebook Shops
Useful if you already have a following.
Your gym website
Add a small “Store” page where members can buy merch easily.
Most creators start with Shopify or Etsy because they handle everything for you.
Pricing Your Products
Keep prices simple and reasonable for your audience.
Average MMA merch pricing:
- T-shirts: $22–$30
- Hoodies: $40–$60
- Hats: $20–$30
- Rash guards: $35–$55
- Shorts: $35–$60
If you use POD, expect smaller profit margins but zero upfront risk.
Take Simple Photos or Mockups
Good visuals help people buy. You don’t need a professional photographer.
Options include:
- POD services provide free mockups
- Canva offers realistic apparel templates
- Phone photos in a clean gym environment
Keep images simple and clear — a plain background or gym setting works well.
Promote Your Merch
You don’t need aggressive marketing. Keep it natural.
Try:
- Wearing your merch during training
- Posting simple photos on social media
- Sharing behind-the-scenes design previews
- Offering a limited first batch
- Giving early access to gym members
- Asking teammates to model a shirt
People enjoy supporting fighters and local gyms, especially when the merch looks good.
Keep Improving Over Time
Your first launch doesn’t need to be perfect. Make adjustments based on:
- Which designs sell the most
- What sizes people request
- Customer feedback on fabric or fit
- Comments from teammates or followers
Small improvements make your brand stronger with each release.
Final Thoughts
Creating MMA merch doesn’t have to be complicated. With a clear idea, simple designs, and beginner-friendly tools, anyone can launch a small apparel line. Start with one product, keep your process simple, and let your brand grow naturally over time.