Boxing, MMA and Fightwear Manufacturing in Sialkot, Pakistan
- Est. 2005 · Sialkot, Pakistan
- MOQ 20–25 pcs per design · no limit for brands
- Free 24h digital mockup
- Sample 5–7 days, credited on bulk
- Bulk 15–25 business days · express 7–12
- DHL/FedEx/UPS 5–10 days
- 🛡️ Free remake within 3 days
From gloves to garments: how Sialkot's fightwear cluster formed
Sialkot's fightwear apparel trade grew beside its glove trade. The Punjab Government lists leather goods, gloves and martial-arts uniforms among the district's export product families, and boxing gloves are a leather product, so the boxing clubs, promoters and distributors who came to Sialkot for gloves were already in contact with the city when they needed shorts, robes and cornerman kit to match.
The apparel side sits next to the gloves. Cut-and-sew units that handle polyester satin, heavy cotton and stretch knits work near the glove exporters, the same units that cut cotton uniforms for judo and karate cut BJJ gis in pearl weave, and sublimation printing brings rash guards, compression tops and spats into the same buildings. Today the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce & Industry has about 6,800 registered firms, and a fight brand choosing among them is choosing between many garment makers rather than a few.
What "made in Sialkot" means for fightwear: the shorts, rash guard, gi or robe was cut and sewn in the Sialkot district of Punjab, Pakistan, typically in a factory that prints, embroiders and packs under the same roof and sells alongside the city's glove exporters.
Disclosure: this page is published by ZipaSports, itself a Sialkot manufacturer.
Fightwear garments: fabric, GSM and construction
Each fightwear garment has a settled fabric and construction in Sialkot, and the GSM ranges below are the options a buyer chooses between rather than one fixed spec.
| Garment | Fabric options | Weight | Construction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boxing shorts | Polyester satin | 120–160 GSM | Wide elasticated waistband, side slits, sublimated or embroidered name and club logo |
| Muay thai shorts | Polyester satin | 120–160 GSM | Shorter leg with wider side slits; contrast trim and satin appliqué lettering |
| MMA and vale tudo shorts | Polyester-spandex 4-way stretch | Chosen from the stretch range | Split or gusseted crotch, hook-and-loop waist closure, sublimated all over |
| Rash guards (short or long sleeve) | Polyester-spandex or nylon-spandex | 180–220 GSM | Flatlock seams, sublimated all over, rank stripes printed in; women's and kids' cuts |
| Compression tops, spats and tights | Polyester-spandex or nylon-spandex 4-way stretch | 240–300 GSM, elastane 12–20% | Flatlock seams, sublimated |
| BJJ gi jackets | Pearl weave or single weave cotton or poly-cotton | 350–550 GSM | Reinforced collar and stress points; embroidered or woven patches |
| Gi trousers | Ripstop or twill | 8–12 oz | Drawstring waist, reinforced knees |
| Walkout robes and ring jackets | Polyester satin | 120–160 GSM | Hooded, lined or unlined, embroidered fighter name and sponsor panels |
| Fight camp hoodies and joggers | Cotton-polyester fleece, or performance polyester fleece | Fleece 280–350 GSM; poly fleece 240–300 GSM | Embroidered, screen-printed or DTF logos |
Sizes run adult XS–5XL and women's XS–4XL with youth sizes available, and a gym can supply its own size chart and cut. GRS-certified recycled polyester is available on request for the sublimated pieces. The BJJ gi fabric guide and the rash guard fabric guide go deeper on the two most-asked-about garments.
How a fight kit is produced in Sialkot
A fight kit is produced by three different routes inside one Sialkot factory, depending on the garment, and all three finish inside the same 15–25 business-day bulk window after design approval.
Sublimated pieces (rash guards, MMA shorts, spats, compression) start as artwork printed onto transfer paper and bonded into the polyester-spandex fabric on a calender press before cutting, which is why rank stripes, sponsor panels and all-over patterns cost nothing extra in set-up and cannot crack or peel. Panels are then flatlock-sewn so the seam lies flat against the skin under a gi or on the mat.
Satin pieces (boxing shorts, muay thai shorts, robes) are cut-and-sew work. The satin can be sublimated, but many clubs prefer the traditional look, so names, club logos and trim are embroidered on Tajima multi-head machines or applied as appliqué lettering, then the waistband is set and the side slits bound.
Gis are cut from pearl weave or single weave cotton, sewn with reinforced collars, sleeve cuffs and stress points, paired with ripstop or twill trousers, and finished with embroidered patches. At ZipaSports every route begins with a free digital mockup within 24 hours and a physical sample in 5–7 days at sample cost, credited against the bulk order, and ends with in-line and final QC, wash-fastness checks on printed fabric, measurement checks against the approved size spec, private-label labels and polybags. Express production is available in 7–12 days at additional cost for a fight-night deadline.
What a gym, dojo or fight brand should check before ordering
A fightwear order goes wrong on details that never appear in a product photo, so make these checks before paying a Sialkot factory.
| Check | Why it matters | What to ask for |
|---|---|---|
| Fabric and GSM in writing | Satin at 120 and 160 GSM drape differently; gis at 350 and 550 GSM are different products | Composition and GSM on the quotation for every garment |
| Seam type on stretch garments | Overlocked seams chafe under a gi; flatlock does not | Confirmation of flatlock seams on rash guards, spats and compression |
| Waist closure on MMA shorts | Hook-and-loop with an internal drawcord stays put in the clinch | Closure type and gusset construction described in the spec |
| Gi shrinkage | Cotton gis shrink in hot washing; sized without allowance, sleeves end up short | Whether the size chart allows for shrinkage or is measured after washing |
| Print or embroidery per placement | Sublimated, embroidered or appliquéd crests look and wear differently | A mockup marked with the method for each logo |
| Size chart and cut | Fighters in one weight class vary widely in build | A centimetre size chart with men's, women's and youth cuts, or your own chart applied |
| Sample before bulk | The only way to test satin, stretch recovery and gi weight | A physical sample at sample cost, credited against the bulk order |
| Factory registration and guarantee | Separates a factory from a reseller; says what happens to a defective piece | SCCI membership, National Tax Number, and a written remake policy |
Sialkot vs China for fightwear: an honest comparison
Sialkot suits fightwear orders of 20 to a few hundred pieces per design across mixed disciplines; China suits one style in volume or a garment that depends on specialised knitting machinery. Tariffs quoted are as of mid-2026 and should be confirmed with your customs broker.
| Factor | Sialkot, Pakistan | China |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum order | 20–25 pieces per design at ZipaSports; lower on request; no MOQ limit for established fightwear brands | 500–1,000+ pieces per style is the usual contract-manufacturer minimum, according to Fabrioza |
| Satin shorts and robes | Cut-and-sew and embroidery beside the glove trade | Available at volume; small custom runs harder to place |
| BJJ gis | Cotton pearl weave from the units that make judo and karate uniforms | Also made, usually at larger minimums |
| Rash guards and compression | Sublimated polyester-spandex, flatlock seams, small mixed-size runs | Wider choice of technical and seamless knits; larger runs |
| Gloves and protective equipment | Leather glove making is a listed Sialkot export family | Large-run production; specification varies by supplier |
| Duty into the UK and EU | 0% on apparel under DCTS and GSP+ | Standard duty applies |
| Duty into the USA | 19% since the August 2025 trade deal, as reported by Dawn, and already inside the ZipaSports delivered price | About 33% effective burden in 2026, according to MS Advisory |
| Sampling and communication | Sample in 5–7 days; English on WhatsApp with the export manager | Sampling slower for small accounts; agents common |
A range that is one technical seamless garment in thousands of units fits China; a range that mixes satin shorts, gis, rash guards and fight-camp hoodies at 20–200 pieces each fits Sialkot.
Who orders fightwear from Sialkot
Fightwear made in Sialkot goes to six buyer types, each with a different order pattern.
- Boxing clubs and gyms order club shorts, training vests, corner-team polos and walkout robes for competing members, often at 20–25 pieces per design with individual names. See gyms and studios.
- MMA gyms and BJJ academies order ranked rash guards, academy gis, no-gi kits and academy tees, reordering as new members grade. See martial-arts academies.
- Muay thai and kickboxing camps order satin shorts in camp colours and fisherman pants, plus camp tees for visiting students.
- Startup fightwear brands launch with a small set of styles at 20–25 pieces each under private label, then scale with no MOQ limit once established. See startup fightwear brands and the fightwear brand guide.
- Promoters and event organisers order fight-night shorts, walkout robes and corner towels against a fixed date, which is where express production in 7–12 days is used.
- Distributors and wholesalers order across disciplines for retail and gym accounts. See wholesale combat wear.
Where ZipaSports fits for boxing and MMA gear
ZipaSports manufactures fightwear at its own factory in Sialkot, Pakistan, founded in 2005, covering boxing, MMA, BJJ, muay thai and kickboxing among twelve combat disciplines. Typical orders are boxing shorts, walkout robes, MMA rash guards, pearl weave competition gis and muay thai shorts; the range also lists boxing gloves, MMA gloves and hand wraps.
Sublimation, Tajima multi-head embroidery, cutting, flatlock and lockstitch sewing, QC and private-label packing are in-house; woven labels and silicone badges come from a dedicated partner unit each. There is no stock catalogue, so every order starts from the gym's or brand's own design, with a free mockup within 24 hours and unlimited revisions. Minimum order is 20–25 pieces per design, lower on request, with no MOQ limit for fightwear brands, and bulk ships in 15–25 business days after approval, then 5–10 days by DHL, FedEx or UPS.
Quality Guarantee: if any garment arrives with a manufacturing defect, we remake it free of charge — the remake goes into production within 3 days of your report. New brands can use the Startup Launch Programme; the Made in Sialkot hub covers the wider cluster.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sialkot good for custom boxing shorts?
Yes, Sialkot in Punjab, Pakistan is a specialist cluster for boxing shorts, because its cut-and-sew fightwear units grew beside the district's leather glove exporters. Shorts are made in polyester satin at 120–160 GSM with embroidered or sublimated names, from 20–25 pieces per design at ZipaSports.
Can a gym order 20 custom fight shorts from Pakistan?
Yes, a gym or club can order 20–25 fight shorts per design from ZipaSports, and lower quantities are possible on request for a small squad. Each pair can carry a different fighter name, and sizes can be mixed within the design.
What fabric are boxing and muay thai shorts made from?
Boxing and muay thai shorts are typically made from polyester satin at 120–160 GSM, with a wide elasticated waistband and side slits. MMA shorts use polyester-spandex 4-way stretch instead, with a hook-and-loop waist closure and a gusseted crotch for kicking and grappling.
What GSM is a BJJ gi made in Pakistan?
A BJJ gi jacket made in Sialkot is typically 350–550 GSM in pearl weave or single weave cotton or poly-cotton, paired with 8–12 oz ripstop or twill trousers. Lighter weights suit competition weigh-ins and travel; heavier weights suit daily academy training.
Is Sialkot or China better for MMA gear?
Sialkot is better for mixed fightwear ranges at 20 to a few hundred pieces per design, with 0% duty into the UK and EU and a 19% US tariff reported by Dawn, as of mid-2026. China is better for one technical seamless style in thousands of units, where a contract manufacturer will usually want 500–1,000+ pieces per style, according to a Fabrioza comparison. Confirm the current tariff rate with your customs broker.
How long does custom fightwear take from Sialkot?
At ZipaSports a digital mockup takes up to 24 hours, a physical sample 5–7 days, and bulk production 15–25 business days after approval, with express in 7–12 days at additional cost for a fight-night date. Courier delivery adds 5–10 days worldwide.
Can rash guards carry belt-rank stripes and sponsor logos?
Yes, rank stripes, sponsor panels and all-over designs are sublimated into a rash guard's polyester-spandex fabric before cutting, so there is no set-up charge per placement and the print cannot crack or peel. Ranked sets for white through black belt can run in one order at 20–25 pieces per design.
Does ZipaSports make boxing gloves as well as fightwear?
ZipaSports' combat-wear range lists boxing gloves, MMA gloves and hand wraps alongside the shorts, rash guards, gis and robes it cuts and sews at its Sialkot factory, so a gym can place one order for apparel and gloves. Ask for the current spec when you enquire.
Do I pay import duty on fightwear from Pakistan?
Fightwear made in Pakistan enters the UK at 0% duty under DCTS and the EU at 0% under GSP+, as of mid-2026, though VAT still applies. The USA charges a 19% tariff, reported by Dawn, which ZipaSports includes in its delivered price. Confirm current rates with your customs broker.