No official UFC dress code, but Benson Henderson still laments loss of 'freedom'

Don’t call it a dress code, but from now on, UFC fighters have to look a little spiffier for media obligations.

UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson on Monday passed along word that his preferred flip-flops and shorts are a no-no moving forward.

Henderson forwarded a message from the fight promotion: “Per Jackie, effective immediately, fighters and talent traveling on press tours and PR/marketing-related appearances are no longer permitted to wear shorts or flip flops. Jeans are acceptable and shoes are a must.”

The news put a big wrinkle in “Smooth”‘s day.

“Don’t get me wrong, I’m gonna dress how my employers want but doesn’t mean I gotta be happy about it,” Henderson wrote on Facebook, adding, “Don’t let the man hold you down”…”Fight the power”…”You can take my life but you can never take my FREEDOM!!!”

In an email to MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com), a UFC official said it was much ado about little.

“There is no dress code to speak of,” the official wrote. “We simply ask that our athletes not wear shorts or flip flops at company-related press tours/media functions.”

Henderson, who next fights T.J. Grant at UFC 164, isn’t unfamiliar with dressing up. He’s worn suits to press conferences, as have a growing contingent of UFC fighters looking to shrug off the sport’s image as caged barbarism.

Now, the UFC wants a more professional look for the faces of its promotion.

(Pictured: Benson Henderson)