Mixed Martial Arts demands the right equipment to keep fighters safe during their matches. MMA gloves serve as an important defense for hand injuries when fighters need to strike or grapple.
Our complete review explains all aspects of MMA gloves including different kinds and functions along with their measurements and materials plus top brands for purchase.
What Are MMA Gloves Used For?
MMA gloves deliver both safety protection and unrestricted movements for different combat moves. They are used for:
- Grasping & Hitting with MMA gloves reduce the chances of injuring hands during strong punches.
- MMA fighters use gloves to hold and direct their opponent’s body because these gloves do not limit grip or natural mobility.
- Practice gloves to protect fighters during training runs and drills.
- Fighters obey sanctioned rules while keeping both participants safe throughout their event.
Types of MMA Gloves and Their Differences
Different MMA gloves exist to serve special functions in combat sports:
1. Competition MMA Gloves
- Lightweight (4oz – 6oz)
- Minimal padding for faster strikes
- Open-finger design for grappling control
- Used in professional fights
2. Sparring MMA Gloves
- Heavier (6oz – 7oz)
- Extra padding for protection
- The gloves protect martial artists during their training sessions.
3. Training/Hybrid MMA Gloves
- Versatile for striking and grappling
- Moderate padding
- Ideal for general training and mitt work
4. Bag Gloves
- They serve only for training on heavy bags
- Extra wrist support and padding
- Protects hands from impact injuries
How to Choose the Right MMA Gloves for Training
The proper selection of MMA gloves depends on your training objectives specific skills and how well they fit you. Here are some key considerations:
1. Purpose of Use
- For competitions: Go for lightweight competition gloves.
- Choose padded sparring gloves because they work better during training sessions.
- For bag training: Use bag gloves with wrist support.
- For general training: Choose hybrid gloves.
2. Weight & Padding
- The gloves deliver more safety features making them suitable for new users.
- Gloves with thinner padding make stronger strike impacts in professional training sessions.
3. Material Quality
- Genuine leather: Durable and long-lasting.
- Synthetic leather: Affordable but less durable.
4. Wrist Support & Closure System
- You can quickly fasten and release Velcro Straps without help.
- Trying this glove style takes two hands because it works best when string tied securely.
5. Brand Reputation
- Purchase trusted brands since they offer sturdy and comfy products as demonstrated below.
Best MMA Gloves for Beginners & Professionals
This guide provides top glove suggestions based on skill levels
For Beginners
- Venum Challenger 2.0 – Affordable, comfortable, and durable.
- Sanabul Essential MMA Gloves – Great value with proper protection.
- RDX MMA Gloves – Good wrist support and budget-friendly.
For Professionals
- Unmatched MMA fighters select Fairtex FGV18 MMA Gloves because of their top-quality leather materials.
- Hayabusa T3 MMA Gloves – Premium construction with superior protection.
- Everlast Pro Style MMA Gloves – Lightweight and competition-ready.
MMA Gloves Sizing Guide – How to Find the Perfect Fit
Getting the correct glove size supports safe performance. Follow this process to measure glove size correctly.
Step 1: Measure Your Hand
- Measure your palm space using a tape measure without including your thumb.
Step 2: Refer to the Standard Sizing Chart
| Hand Circumference | Glove Size |
| 6″ – 7.5″ | Small (S) |
| 7.5″ – 8.5″ | Medium (M) |
| 8.5″ – 9.5″ | Large (L) |
| 9.5″+ | X-Large (XL) |
Step 3: Try Them On
- The gloves should fit close to your skin yet stay comfortable.
- Use hand wraps to prepare your hands during the test.
- Testing should involve checking if the gloves give enough wrist protection while allowing complete finger freedom.
Top MMA Glove Brands and Their Features
These leading MMA glove brands offer specific product attributes which we will explore now.
1. Venum
- Popular among beginners and professionals.
- Affordable with stylish designs.
2. Hayabusa
- Premium quality with advanced wrist support.
- Ideal for serious fighters.
3. Fairtex
- High-quality Thai leather gloves.
- Durable and great for competition.
4. Everlast
- A trusted brand in combat sports.
- Offers budget-friendly options.
5. RDX
- Good balance of affordability and quality.
- Durable and comfortable.
How to Take Care of MMA Gloves
Take care of your MMA gloves through several key practices mentioned below.
1. Clean After Every Use
- Clean the gloves by using a moist cloth to get rid of sweat.
- Apply disinfectant spray to keep bacteria from growing inside the gloves.
2. Let Them Air Dry
- Keep your gloves separate from gym bag items when they remain moist.
- Keep your gloves unused until they become totally dry after training.
3. Avoid Excess Moisture
- Keep the gloves free of water by not soaking them and never placing them in a washing machine.
4. Use Hand Wraps
- The product absorbs sweat and creates a protective barrier to minimize sweat contact with your gloves.
MMA Gloves vs. Boxing Gloves – Key Differences Explained
To perform effectively in combat sports you must select the correct gloves which will help you fight better while staying safe. The two fighting glove types differ because MMA products match MMA sports movements better than boxing gloves do. These two combat sports gloves have distinct features that separate them from each other.
1. Design and Padding
The padding inside boxing gloves ranges from about 8 to 16 ounces to shield both fighters during a match. The additional padding gets built to shield both fighter’s hands and their opponent during repeated punch action. MMA hand gear consists of thin gloves weighing 4 to 7 ounces and padding placed only on the knuckle area. The open design makes it easier to manipulate hands during ground fighting and control positions.
2. Finger Mobility
You can most plainly see the difference through hand movement ability. MMA gloves with open fingertips let fighters hold opponents close and use hands to submit them. The padded boxing glove cover blocks your fingers completely to maintain a strong striking fist position.
3. Striking vs. Grappling
Boxing gloves are designed to help boxers strike efficiently with less risk to the wrist and hands. Fighters can deliver stronger punches with reduced hand wear since the design supports this technique. MMA gloves need to support both aggression and control functions. These gloves let you strike effectively while remaining strong enough to accommodate wrist movements needed when moving between striking posts and clinches to the ground.
4. Wrist Support
Boxing gloves handle wrist support better because their thick material combines with secure thumb loops to shield the wrist. The wrist strap reduces the risk of wrist damage from throwing hard punches. Lightweight MMA gloves need wrist training instead of added padding because they lack sufficient support for the wrist.
5. Sport-Specific Usage
You use boxing gloves only in boxing since the sport focuses only on hitting with your fists. professionals use MMA gloves in their mixed martial arts matches because they fight using both punching kicks and submission holds. A versatile glove design lets them be used in multiple ways yet provides lesser protection than standard boxers.
Conclusion
Every MMA fighter needs to have MMA gloves both beginner and professional starters. Gloves improve your safety during MMA training when you pick the right type from a reliable brand and choose the size that fits you best.
The best MMA glove choice depends on how you use them and any personal comfort needs along with your available funds. Keep your MMA gloves protected through proper maintenance so they will support your training activities.
