What Are MMA Gloves?
Before we dive into answering “what are MMA gloves?”, let’s first begin by talking about the wonderful sport.
MMA, or mixed martial arts, is a full-combat sport that incorporates techniques from boxing, wrestling, judo, jujitsu, karate, Muay Thai and other disciplines. The gruesome sport allows fighters to utilise different striking and grappling techniques while standing and on the ground.
Also known as cage fighting, MMA originated in the Antiquity period, which covers the era from the 8th century BC to the 6th century AD. In Ancient China, fighters incorporated different styles of kung fu, boxing and wrestling.
Whereas, in Ancient Greece, a sport called Pankration was introduced in the Greek Olympic Games, which combined kickboxing, wrestling and different techniques such as arm locks and chokeholds.
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) – the home of MMA, is where some of today’s most popular MMA stars compete. The sport is played in a cage shaped like an octagon. A fighter and their opponent must be in the same weight class. They compete in three rounds that last no longer than five minutes. The winner of each round receives 10 points.
To win, the fighter can defeat their opponent with a knockout. Or they can put their opponent in a chokehold and wait for them to tap out. Alternatively, after all the rounds are complete, the judge can choose a winner based on a point system.
There are plenty of illegal moves that fighters can’t use during an MMA match. These include striking the groin, head butting, eye gouging, punching the back of the head, and throwing your opponent out of the cage. Using an illegal move can cause severe damage to the opponent; it will result in you being scolded by the referee or losing the fight.
What are MMA gloves?
MMA gloves are small, lightweight and versatile. They are open-fingered, which leaves room for the fighter to grab and grapple with their opponent. Usually, MMA gloves contain about 4 to 6 ounces (oz) of padding on the upper side, to provide protection for each knuckle and the whole hand.
At Sportsmaxx, we have MMA gloves available in sizes small, medium, large and extra large. They are manufactured with all mixed martial arts and fights in mind.
Our Maxx Shooter Gloves are durable, sturdy and tear-resistant.
Available in black, pink, white & gold, black & red and black & gold, our grappling gloves offer maximum protection and allow the fighter to have full control.
Our Maxx Pro MMA Gloves are the ultimate glove for fighting. Its max-shock equilibrium foam is the ultimate barrier against high-impact strikes, creating a seamless combat experience.
For the patriotic fighter, we have our Maxx Pro UK Flag MMA Gloves. The gloves provide enhanced shock dissipation and feature a stunning Union Jack design.
What is the difference between boxing gloves and MMA gloves?
MMA gloves are smaller and lighter than boxing gloves. So MMA gloves allow greater freedom of movement for wrestling moves and takedowns.
Boxing gloves are not fingerless like MMA gloves are. This is because the open-finger design is used for grappling, which doesn’t happen in boxing.
Boxing gloves contain much more padding than MMA gloves. A boxer needs better protection for their hands, as they are throwing powerful punches. The padding acts as a cushion for the boxer’s finger joints.
Whereas, an MMA fighter will throw far fewer punches and spend more time grabbing and grappling. So MMA gloves keep the fingers separate.
What size MMA gloves do I choose?
Measure your hand circumference using this handy chart below. You will need to know your weight.
To measure your hand circumference, grab a measuring tape or piece of spring. Wrap it around the fullest part of your dominant hand, making sure your thumb is outside the tape or string.
If your MMA gloves are too tight, size up. If the gloves are too roomy, size them down.
| Fighter’s weight | Hand Circumference | Size of the MMA glove |
| 40-54 kgs | 5.5 – 6.5 inches | 8oz |
| 55-68 kgs | 6.5 – 7.5 inches | 10oz |
| 69-84 kgs | 7.5 – 8.5 inches | 12oz |
| 84 kgs | 8.5 – 9.5 inches | 18oz |
How heavy are MMA gloves?
Typical gloves used in UFC matches weigh 4 ounces. UFC fighters who require larger-sized gloves are allowed to wear gloves weighing up to 6 ounces.
Do you hit harder with heavier gloves?
No, not necessarily. A heavier glove has more padding and moves slower than a lighter glove. So you still have to work on your technique to deliver a hard blow.
Therefore, increasing the weight of gloves does not mean you will punch harder.
Are MMA gloves safer than boxing gloves?
Boxing gloves cause more long-term damage to the brain than MMA gloves. Whereas, MMA gloves cause more visible damage to the body, in the form of cuts and bruises.
Do you wrap your hands with MMA gloves?
Yes, you should always wrap your hands before you wear MMA gloves for training or fighting.
Wrapping your hands keeps your tiny wrist bones compact, which protects against hand injuries.
Hand wraps are great for protecting your knuckles and stabilizing the whole hand. They also soak up sweat and moisture, so they will prevent bacteria in your perspiration from getting into your MMA gloves.
An ideal hand wrap is 180 inches (4.5 meters) and is made from a blend of cotton and something elastic.
Can you spar with MMA gloves?
Yes, you can spar with MMA gloves to protect your hands. Sparring is a useful part of MMA training, as it allows you to practice moves on a partner and work on blocking when they strike you.
MMA sparring gloves have a bulkier shape than gloves used for training and grappling.
However, be careful, because sparing with MMA gloves can result in cuts and bruises to both you and your sparring partner.
Can you punch a bag with MMA gloves?
No, it is not recommended to use MMA gloves to hit a punching bag. You should only use gloves that are designed for bag work, like bag gloves.
MMA gloves have thin padding, so they won’t protect your hands very well if you keep hitting a punching bag harder and harder.
Can you punch a bag with just hand wraps?
Yes, you can punch a heavy bag with just hand wraps. Hand wraps protect your wrist, knuckles and thumb. They also help reduce the fatigue that comes with a strong punch.
So, warming up with some light bag work, while only wearing hand wraps, is perfectly fine.
Don’t be tempted to skip the hand wraps altogether and start punching the bag with your bare fists. This could cause severe aches in your hands and even serious hand injuries. You might end up using the incorrect form, which will throw you off.
If you can’t be bothered to spend five minutes wrapping your hands, do some shadowboxing in front of a mirror instead.
How often should I change my hand wraps?
Over time, your hand wraps will absorb more and more moisture and show signs of wear and tear. If you don’t keep your hand wraps clean, then they will start to smell horrible and become prone to bacteria and mould.
Wash your hand wraps regularly and let them fully dry after each workout.
Replace your hand wraps every four months or so, depending on how frequently you use them.
Who are better fighters: boxers or MMA fighters?
There is no straight answer to this question, as boxers and MMA athletes are both highly skilled and powerful fighters. Both sports require concentration, hand-eye coordination, self-defense skills and spatial awareness.
MMA fighters are allowed to incorporate different styles of martial arts, so they may have the advantage of having a wider range of fighting styles. They also face their opponents on the ground, so they have the upper hand over boxers, who are restricted to standing.
However, boxers train exclusively on throwing punches effectively from different angles, so they could have better punching power. Punching force is measured in Newton’s (named after Sir Isaac Newton). The higher the Newton (N), the harder the punch. In amateur boxing, punching forces are around 2500 Newtons.
Also, boxers go for up to 12 rounds, whereas MMA fighters go for 3 to 5 rounds. So, boxers are trained to last longer in the ring.
So it really depends on what you mean by ‘better fighter’ because MMA fighters and boxers use different skill sets that make them incredibly good fighters.
How to take care of MMA gloves
- Wipe down your MMA gloves with a disinfectant wipe after every training session.
- Wash the gloves in a bowl of soapy water to rinse out dirt, sweat and oils.
- Allow the gloves to air dry fully and store them in a ventilated area.
What else do I need for MMA fighting?
Protective gear is important for MMA fighting, as you and your opponent will be engaged in holds, chokes, punching, kicking, takedowns and locks.
Arm yourself with the following equipment for the most optimal training experience:
- MMA shorts
- Headgear
- Shin guards
- Groin guard
- Mouth guard
- Ankle supports
- Elbow pads
- Knee pads
A family-run business, established in 2000, Sportsmaxx is the UK’s top boxing equipment supplier.
Find out more about Sportsmaxx by visiting our website here.
To purchase MMA gloves from our broad collection of professional gloves, visit our website here.
We sell a variety of products for your training needs, from hand wraps to Speedballs and protective gear.
