MMA gloves are an important part of the evolution of sports. It balances impressive power and grappling function. From the beginnings of naked knuckles to today’s high-tech design, MMA gloves have shaped how the Fighters train and compete. Even if hitting pads, stepping into a cage, choosing the right gloves, or using them correctly will make a big difference in performance and safety. Let’s outline everything you need to know about MMA gloves.
From naked knuckles to modern gloves
In the early days of MMA, fighters often competed for naked knuckles, as seen at the first UFC events in the 1990s. This raw approach was added to the view, but it frequently resulted in hand injuries and terrifying facial cuts. Open finger gloves were introduced in the mid-1990s to address safety concerns and specialize in sports. These gloves typically weighed between 4-6 ounces, allowing fighters to attack while maintaining the dexterity required for grappling. Tank Abbott was the first person to wear this style of gloves in the Octagon.
The UFC requires gloves starting with UFC 14, and its design has been pretty consistent for decades. However, progressive improvements have been made over time, including better padding for knuckle protection and wrist support.
New UFC Gloves
In 2024, UFC introduced redesigned gloves with features such as fewer seams (to reduce cuts), more flexible fingers (to prevent eye thrusts), and even NFC chips for commemorative certification. Despite these innovations, some fighters criticized the fit and comfort, leading to their cancellation in early 2025. The UFC has returned to its classic glove design after complaints from athletes like John Jones highlighted usability issues.
Pride MMA Gloves
Japan’s Pride FC used gloves that many fighters still consider to be superior. These gloves feature an elongated finger design that naturally curves the hands into the fist and reduces accidental eye thrusts. They also provided excellent knuckle protection while maintaining the flexibility of the grappling. Some modern brands recreate this style for nostalgic fans and collectors.
However, these gloves remained with individual ringlets and lace. These races are often reverted and finger bullets will slip your fingers. They avoided eye poking, but frequently paused in actions to fix malfunctions in the gloves.
Trevor Wittman’s MMA Glove Design
Famous MMA coach Trevor Wittman has developed gloves aimed at addressing common problems such as eye thrusts and broken fingers. His designs keep the fighter’s hands in natural fist position, improving comfort and reducing injuries. Though praised by many, these gloves are not widely adopted in promotions such as the UFC.
MMA and boxing gloves
The MMA gloves weigh about 4 ounces (and up to 7 ounces for sparring), and feature open fingers and minimal padding for grappling, allowing for faster strikes. Boxing gloves are heavy (12-16 oz) with extensive padding to protect your hands during repeated punches. They wrap their hands completely, making grappling impossible.
MMA gloves allow for the versatility of strikes and grappling, but provide less knuckle and wrist protection compared to boxing gloves. This makes it not ideal for heavy bag training unless combined with proper hand wraps.
General questions about MMA gloves
Are you wearing a hand wrap under your MMA gloves?
yes. Always wear your hand wrap under your gloves to protect your knuckles and wrists from injuries. Athletes can easily break their hands without using hand laps.
How much does the MMA gloves weigh?
Competition gloves weigh about 4 ounces, but sparring or hybrid training gloves can weigh up to 7 ounces depending on your purpose. In the UFC battle, it’s 4 ounces.
Are MMA gloves suitable for punching bags?
You can use MMA gloves on heavy bags, but you don’t have the padding required for long-term sessions. For safety, consider using special bag or boxing gloves instead.