MMA gloves only provide coverage up to the first knuckle, or sometimes the first two knuckles. This leaves much of the fingers exposed, which allows MMA fighters to grapple with their opponents much better than they would with boxing gloves. Furthermore, the palm of the glove is often cut out, to allow even better grip when clinching, attempting a takedown, or performing jujitsu on the ground. MMA gloves also differ from traditional fighting gloves by allowing much less padding over the knuckles and surface of the hand. This has made the fists of MMA fighters smaller and harder hitting when compared to kick boxing and boxing.

MMA gloves for training often use a Velcro wrist strap to secure the glove on the hands, this allows for the rapid putting on and removal of the gloves during mixed training sessions. Competition MMA gloves are usually secured by laces, which offer much better reliability for the gloves to remain in place during a fight.

When shopping for MMA gloves it is very important to find a pair that is built with high quality materials. Because of the inherent complexity of their design, MMA gloves typically have more pieces of material sewn together than that of a regular boxing glove. With regular hard training, like bag work and grappling, the seams can be put under great stress and break down over time. Gloves that are made with less than superior materials will not only rip at the seams, they will also stretch in ways that make the glove fit less tight. An MMA glove that is not skintight to the fist will cause abrasions against the knuckles. This will often lead to the skin over the knuckles rubbing off and cause painful blisters. For this reason, it may be wise to protect the hands with hand wraps, or wear an under-glove accessory when wearing MMA gloves for training or competition. Always look for a reputable brand of MMA gloves. Such brands include MMA glove makers Quano, Isama and Winning.

Directly borrowed from boxing and kick boxing, sparring gloves are an essential piece of MMA equipment for any fighter. Typically, sparring gloves are 16oz, however, larger fighters may use 18oz for added protection. MMA gloves suited for sparring will cover the entire hand, and unlike competition MMA gloves, they are not well suited for grappling because of this design. Sparring gloves may not allow for the fighter to grab his opponents limbs and perform submissions, but they will allow the fighter to strike his training partner at full, or near-full power and not cause significant damage to the opponent or his hands.

Sparring gloves usually feature a Velcro strap, which is different from competition boxing gloves that are typically laced. This allows for the gloves to be put on or taken off must faster, cutting down on time wasted between activities. Sparring gloves should feature an abundant amount of padding around the knuckles and thumb, and not so much near or along the wrist. Gloves that feature a long wrist extension are usually designed this way to redistribute weight away from the knuckles, producing a glove that is better suited for competition, where hurting one’s opponent is the goal.

A good pair of sparring gloves for MMA should be of high quality, and the padding should feature multi-layer foam to better absorb hits. The best sparring gloves are made by Winning, but several other brands are also very decent, such as Windy, Twins, Fairtex and Isami.

MMA Hand Wraps

Hand wraps are essential for regular training. Hand wraps add another layer of protection for the fists, which have historically been a major area of concern for fighters who favor striking. Hand wraps are useful for mixed martial arts practitioners, and can be worn under pair of MMA gloves if the gloves have enough space or are of the laced variety.

Hand wraps protect the hands by covering the skin and shielding it from friction that it would otherwise receive from being rubbed up against the insides of the glove. Furthermore, hand wraps occupy space within the fist and between the fingers, producing a solid striking instrument that is less prone to damage. Finally, hand wraps add support to the wrist, making wrist sprains less likely.

Hayabusa Pro MMA gloves feature a unique design that keeps the gloves squarely in place during activities, without compromising comfort, hand movement or grip. Hayabusa is Canada’s premiere MMA clothing and gear company, sponsoring popular fighters like Patrick Cote, Gesias “JZ” Calvancante, and Karo Parisyan.

The Hayabusa Pro MMA gloves have a unique Y-shape volar design that applies tension to the insides of the palm, keeping the glove tight to the hand whether fists are clenched or the hand is opened. In addition, the Hayabusa Pro MMA glove has two cross-directional straps that provide the greatest comfort and reliability for anchoring the gloves to the wrist. The Pro MMA glove is 4oz regulation weight, and come in two sizes. The gloves can be purchased in either black or white tones.

User reviews have praised Hayabusa for their innovative design, high quality and overall comfort. Buy Hayabusa MMA gloves for a long-lasting training essential that you won’t regret.

The well-known MMA gear manufacturer Truth Fightwear, has produced one of the most popular low-budget MMA Gloves around. But don’t assume that its small cost is in any way indicative of its build quality or fit.

The Truth MMA glove has been recently upgraded to feature an open palm design, which is better suited for fight training that involves clinching or grappling. The glove uses top grain leather and thick stitching to give it the durability to stand up to months of hard abuse. Unlike most other gloves on the market, a lot of attention has been given to the glove’s strap. The wrist strap is wide and is fully covered in Velcro. This allows a snug fit for any size of wrist. The glove also features a unique elastic cuff at the opening of the hand. This ensures that the glove won’t shift on the hand during training.

The Truth MMA glove has been upgraded to feature longer finger padding. The glove now extends to the second knuckle, providing even better protection for the hands when striking. One innovative feature that you won’t find on similarly priced gloves is the soft comfort piping used around the palm and thumb holes. These soft openings help protect the hand from chafing and irritation that may occur during vigorous sparring sessions and bag work.

Prominent ‘TRUTH Fightwear’ text is printed on the rear portion on the backs of the hands. This print is of high quality and will not fade or chip off easily. On the straps, the company’s logo and website URL appears in embroidered stitching. A large red circle dominates the strap with Chinese characters inside. These gloves are classy and stylish, and you should feel comfortable to wear them in any training situation.

The Truth Fightwear MMA gloves are available in four sizes: small, medium, large and extra-large. Sizing is made easy with a chart listing size by knuckle circumference for the best possible fit. The gloves weigh an industry standard 4oz. The MMA gloves sell for $24.99, and are some of the cheapest mixed martial arts gloves that can be found. It is said that many other manufacturers have borrowed design elements from the Truth Fightwear model because of its popularity among MMA fighters and trainers who are looking for the best bang for their buck.