MMA Mouthpieces: An Evolution of Protection and Expression
Published by Kal Thompson on April 20th, 2009 in Memorabilia

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As timeless as combat sports seem, there was an era when “getting your teeth knocked out” literally meant “getting your teeth knocked out.” Bill “Super Foot” Wallace, legendary kickboxer and early UFC commentator, can attest to that. In the very first UFC, Competitor Teila Tuli’s tooth landed near Wallace’s announcer’s table after Tuli received a kick from Savate champion Gerard Gordeau. However, (if it were used correctly) a piece of protective equipment that was made nearly a century before might have been able to prevent Tula’s molar from becoming dislodged.

In 1902, a British dentist named Jack Marles invented the first mouthpiece for use in combat sports. Previously, fighters were known to have used orange peels as a means of protecting the lips from getting cut by the teeth during boxing matches. We’ve come a long way, baby.

In today’s combat sports, the mouthpiece not only protects the teeth and gums, but it also helps to aid in the prevention of concussions and broken jaws. The design, fitting and construction of the current state-of-the-art mouthpiece has become an artful science.

Aside from the protection that this necessary piece of athletic equipment provides, personal expression has become just as popular. From fangs to purple teeth, and national flags to intimidating mottos, the old-school clear to black varieties have taken a deep back seat to a rainbow of detailed fashion. “Right now, one of the favorite mouthpieces that everyone is asking for is the grill. That’s what everybody wants right now, and we make it happen for those guys,” states Hector Ruvalcaba, owner of Unbreakable Mouthpieces.

With the limitation of space on fight shorts, most of the cloth’s surface has given way to sponsorship logos. Nowadays, the mouthpiece has become a focal point of individuality. The fighter has the ability to make a statement from his mouth, without ever even speaking. However, there is work involved when it comes to developing this fabricated extension of personality. “We see what kind of tattoos those guys wear, or what they’re into. We see what they like, and that’s when we come up with the design. Other than that, sometimes Pete, my brother, he’s the expert when it comes to designs. This guy is phenomenal. We get him a 12-pack of beer and he just goes crazy with the ideas for the mouthpieces. That’s honestly the truth. We just sit down together (at the computer) and start designing,” shares Ruvalcaba.

In the world of combat sports, political correctness usually doesn’t have the same stranglehold as in other aspects of society. Racy and controversial slogans have been more of the norm, rather than the exception. “Right now, we do what the fighter wants. However, right now the commission has come out with a certain rule. If I’m not mistaken, there basically can’t be any bad words on them. We can come out with anything anybody wants, but once you get inside that cage, the commission rules during combat situations. The important thing is to keep that smile.”