A standard pair of boxing gloves just aren’t going to cut in when training MMA. Sure, they’re great when doing strictly stand-up fighting. In fact, they’re mandatory when doing strict striking work.
But have you ever tried grappling with them? Have you ever tried training full MMA style with a pair of big, restrictive boxing gloves?
It doesn’t work.
You can’t grapple with them. They’re so bulky that it’s far too easy for you or your opponent to lock the gloves in place and nullify the offence.
Good luck trying to escape from an arm-bar or trying to yank your arm free out of a triangle. The boxing glove is going to keep you there in the mess with no escape.
You need a specialised pair of MMA gloves. There’s no get around here.
MMA gloves generally weigh between 4-8lbs and always feature an open-hand design so that you can grab and grapple effectively. Though they have enough padding around the wrist and knuckle to provide you with much needed support without restricting your movement.
The Best MMA Gloves for Sparring
Whether you have never owned a pair of MMA gloves before, or if you’re in the market for a new pair but don’t know what to buy, we’ve got you covered.
Hayabusa Tokushu MMA Gloves
- Developed From World-Leading University Research
- Fabric Type: 5% Polyurethane5% Polyester5% Rayon40% Latex Foam25% Rubber Foam15% Polyurethane Foam5% Polyethelene vinyl acetate Foam; Import Designation: Imported
- Developed From World-Leading University Research
- Perfect fusion of protection and performance
- Patented Dual-X Wrist Close and Fusion-Zone Wrist Splinting Designs for Perfect Hand/Wrist Alignment
Hayabusa are undoubtably one of the biggest brands for MMA gear. They’ve released countless beautiful lines of gloves, shin pads, gi’s, gym bags, etc.
Whatever you’re looking for that’s MMA and BJJ related, they’ve got it.
They’re known for their iconic Japanese style, but beneath the looks is some killer gear. No matter what the glove looks like on the outside, you can rest assured that function and usability is the core component beneath it all.
Their patented Dual-X Wrist Closure system provides unparalleled support for your wrist, fingers and hand. If you want to train hard, you can. No worrying about destroying your hands in the process. Though they have a thumb-free design, so you still have full grappling freedom.
These gloves are also official regulated weight for MMA competition.
You can take them from the mats to the cage.
Everlast MMA 7oz Striking/Training Gloves
This Pro Style MMA glove from Everlast is one of the best entry-level gloves available and will give you a great start on your MMA journey.
These 7oz gloves feature more curved padding around the knuckles than most gloves do, which makes them perfect for sparring. The extra padding allows you to train and fight harder than usual without fear of cutting your partner or even knocking them out cold.
There is even more padding around the thumbs. Anybody who has trained boxing, Muay Thai or MMA for any period of time knows how delicate the thumbs are. One tiny thumb injury can really hinder your progress. The padding can prevent these injuries whilst grappling.
Everlast have built a strong name and brand with their excellent MMA equipment and these gloves are no different. Sturdy and durable, these gloves will last you a long time.
Venum Challenger MMA Gloves
- Layered foam for better protection and shock absorption
- High wrist maintaining thanks to an Adjustable strap
- Exclusive Velcro strap System for hand pre-positioning
Venum are known in the MMA world for their stunning gear and equipment.
Style melded with substance.
You can purchase these in 4 different styles: Black and white, black and orange, black and green and a really cool two-toned black.
The whole glove is more sleek and slender than the Everlast gloves, leaving them at 4ibs instead of 7ibs. If you’re more interested in a grappling-based MMA approach than striking, then these might be for you.
The smaller design allows you to shoot in small openings that you wouldn’t be able to with bulkier gloves. When a sudden opportunity for an under-hook presents itself, you’ll be able to take full advantage of it. Though they still have more than enough padding to allow you fight and spar full contact with them.
Sanabul MMA Gloves
- Just What You Need: Our Essential Series is for athletes would need professional gear that will be with them day in and day out at the gym, at the best possible value. We challenge our Team Sanabul...
- For the Complete Fighter: Our 7oz. hybrid sparring gloves are fitted to protect your hands when striking, while giving you modest dexterity during grappling. No swapping out gloves, no slowing you...
- Designed to Endure: We want Sanabul gear to be a staple of your gym bag. So we make equipment that lasts. Performance Engineered Leather construction means durable material that’s easier to clean...
- Not Going Anywhere: You don’t need finicky gloves. Our innovative hook and loop closure system makes our gloves an extension of your hands. Locked in place for the whole session
- Please Note: These gloves are intended for MMA sparring training, we do not recommend using these gloves for PUNCHING BAGS. Hitting a punching bag with these gloves can hurt your hands or irritate the...
The ultra-durable Maya hide material on these gloves means that they’ll last for ages. No matter how many sparring sessions you put in or how many haymakers you throw at the heavy bag, they’ll hold up.
Sanabul are an affordable brand of boxing and MMA equipment that have seen a surge in popularity in the last couple of years. Trainers and trainees alike have realised that they can get the same high quality product that they would get from a brand like Fairtex, but at a far cheaper price.
Unlike other cheaper brands, these gloves actually look good. Bad Boy have their own specific style and motifs they utilise on all the products. You can choose from blue, red and yellow and all look fantastic.
Combat Sports Safety Training Gloves
- 2" of molded foam padding-- making it the safest training glove in MMA.
- Comfortable-- ergonomic fit.
- Hinged knuckle allows for a full range of motion.
- Wrap around wrist strap for lockdown wrist support.
- Fully open palm allows for skin on skin contact to g
If you’ve seen the first three seasons of The Ultimate Fighter TV show, and you should, then you might recognise this entry.
This is the glove used on those formative seasons by the contestants and is the original MMA training glove. The first glove to feature the curved, rounded padding to allow full contact sparring without cumbersome boxing gloves.
You don’t get featured on an international MMA television show if you’re selling a subpar product.
The padding disperses shock just like a 16oz boxing glove would, reducing the likelihood of cutting your training partner or just generally causing too much pain.
The leather construction allows them to withstand a significant and prolonged beating without breaking or falling apart.
It’s really hard to fault these gloves. With their affordable price, they’re almost the perfect MMA sparring glove you could buy.
Overview
There you have it.
If you’re fed up of having to use dirty, smelly second-hand gloves in class then any of those 5 gloves will be a life-saver.
If you already have a standard pair of MMA gloves and/or boxing gloves, then choosing one of the rounded padding gloves gives you a nice go between when you want the best of both worlds. Personally we would go for the [amazon_textlink asin=’B01L8HX8QG’ text=’Hayabusa gloves’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’attacktheba01-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’1d329e5d-ffec-11e6-afc9-4bca7a4af5d4′], which bring a good mixture of striking and grappling from their patented design
Though all 5 pairs are perfect for pretty much any kind of martial arts training that you wish to undertake.