MMA gloves or grappling gloves are small, open-fingered gloves optionally used in mixed martial arts bouts. They usually have around 4–6 oz (110–170 g) of padding and are designed to provide some protection to the person wearing the glove, but leave the fingers available for grappling maneuvers such as clinch fighting and submissions.
Small, open-fingered gloves were first mandatory in Japan's Shooto promotion and were later adopted by the UFC as it developed into a regulated sport. Gloves were introduced to protect fighters' fists from injuries, as well as reduce the number of facial lacerations (and stoppages due to cuts) that fighters experienced without gloves. The introduction of gloves was also intended to encourage fighters to use their hands for striking to allow more captivating matches for fans. There are some similarities to the wrist-supporting, closed-thumb, broken-knuckle kempo gloves popularized by Bruce Lee's 1973 movie Enter the Dragon.
Competition gloves - Most professional fights have the fighters wear 4 ounce (110 g) gloves, whereas amateurs may wear a slightly heavier 6 ounce (170 g) glove for increased protection. According to the rules, UFC allows gloves between 4–6 oz (110–170 g), and even heavier for certain larger sized gloves, e.g. 2 XL – 4 XL.
Sparring gloves - Generally speaking MMA sparring gloves weight is usually 7 oz (200 g). When sparring there is obviously a lot of punching involved, from working the bag to actual sparring with a partner. Both of these require that your knuckles are adequately protected and cushioned from the forces put upon them. The 7 oz (200 g) refers to the weight of the padding inside the gloves and not the overall weight.
Grappling gloves - Otherwise known as hybrid or training gloves these are used mainly for clinch work/grappling.This type of glove has less padding than sparring or competition gloves. In addition each finger can be moved independently allowing for more gripping ability.
Impact of gloves on safety and injuries
The impact of gloves on the injuries caused during a fight is a controversial issue, mostly looked at in relation to boxing. The use of padded gloves in fights protects the fists of the wearer but doesn't prevent brain injury unless they are so large that they become difficult to use.[1][2] These gloves protect the fists of the wearer and allow stronger punches than in bare-knuckle fights, and it is the changes in acceleration to the head as a whole that tears the blood vessels, not the impact with the glove.[1]
To further elaborate on the impact of gloves on safety and injuries, the introduction of gloves, particularly with the Queensberry Rules in 1867, marked a significant shift in combat sports. Gloves were primarily designed to reduce facial injuries and hand fractures but not necessarily to prevent head trauma. Scientific studies show that while gloves protect the fists and reduce surface injuries, they allow fighters to throw harder punches. This results in brain injuries caused by the brain's rapid movement inside the skull, leading to concussions and potentially long-term conditions like Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE).
In comparison to bare-knuckle fighting, gloved bouts see fewer cuts and fractures, but the gloves enable stronger hits, which may increase the risk of brain injury. Bare-knuckle fighters tend to throw less forceful punches due to the lack of hand protection, which can mitigate some head trauma despite causing more superficial damage.
Regulations surrounding glove size and weight in modern boxing, typically ranging from 8 to 12 ounces depending on the fighter’s weight class, also influence injury outcomes. Heavier gloves are designed to protect both fighters, but there's ongoing debate over whether larger gloves, which cushion the blow, may contribute to long-term brain damage by allowing more forceful punches. Many experts, including doctors, athletes, and regulators, are divided on whether more padding improves safety overall or merely shifts the types of injuries sustained. This controversy continues as more research is conducted into the long-term health implications of boxing gloves.
List of MMA Gloves Approved by Associations
Association
Approved Gloves for Professional MMA
Approved Gloves for MMA Class-A, MMA Class-B, MMA Class-C
