Learning a new sport is always something to look forward to, and there’s nothing quite as exciting as stepping into the world of MMA for the first time.
Maybe you’re a long-time fan of the sport, or maybe you’re just hearing about it for the first time. No matter what first grabbed your interest, there is no wrong reason to try mixed martial arts.
In MMA, the punches are brutal, and the fighting techniques are always challenging. This is why protection should be your top priority. MMA fighting gloves are the most important piece of equipment you’ll need before you start your journey with martial arts.
Understanding what these gloves are and what they do for you is a crucial step in becoming a better fighter, so let’s learn together about the benefits of high-quality MMA gloves and all the ways they keep you safe in the ring.
What Are MMA Gloves?
MMA is a sport that demands precision, patience, and protection. Every beginner should know about the importance of wearing the right protective gear when sparring with your opponent.
By far, the most crucial part of MMA gear is the gloves. Sparing gloves are designed to protect your hands and wrists while throwing punches.
What sets these gloves apart from the rest is their lack of finger protection. The finger portion of the gloves is left exposed to allow you to perform grabbing manoeuvres freely.
Sparing gloves have light padding over the knuckles to protect you from unwanted injuries during bouts, while also softening the blow to your opponent.
You might find it interesting to know that these gloves were inspired by the legend himself, Bruce Lee. The first MMA-style fighting gloves were designed by professional wrestler Satoru Sayama in 1977. Inspired by the distinctive gloves Bruce Lee wore in the film “Enter the Dragon”, Sayama created his own version to use in his next wrestling match.
Since then, they have been a crucial part of MMA gear, with many fighters customising their gloves; they have become the most eye-catching detail about the sport.
Understanding Their Construction
To learn how to fight better and protect yourself from the punches your opponents throw your way, you must first understand the construction of fighting gloves and how they keep your hands and wrists protected in the process.
MMA punching gloves are composed of different layers
Outer Layer
The outer layer, or the shell, is the skin of the glove. Its main purpose is to protect the padding inside from ripping or falling out. This is why this layer is made from high-quality, durable materials, such as leather.
Padding System
The padding layer of any fighting glove is crucial for protection. When it comes to mixed martial arts gloves, this layer is commonly thinner. They usually have around 110 to 170 grams of padding, making them lightweight and easy to get used to.
Some professional gloves use a multi-padding system, meaning they are composed of two different types of synthetic foam in the padding’s construction. One of the foam layers is used to distribute the punching pressure, while the other absorbs the impact.
Knuckle Protection
The knuckle portion of the glove contains the thickest layer of protective padding, designed to absorb and distribute impact while still allowing the hand to form a natural fist. This portion of the glove is usually pre-curved to support the natural formation of your fist and to lower the risk of finger injury when sparring.
Finger Portion
Unlike the boxing protection you’re probably more familiar with, MMA sparring gloves don’t have full finger protection. The finger protection stops about halfway through the first finger segment, leaving the rest exposed. This is because of the many gripping techniques that are popular in mixed martial arts. You need full finger mobility to perform grappling and submission techniques effectively.
Wrist Support
These gloves don’t just protect your knuckles and finger joints. They also offer great wrist protection and stability. To throw a good punch, you need a stable fist form. Stability stems from the wrist. Sparring gloves have a Velcro strap that secures over the wrist, which stabilises the radiocarpal joint when you’re throwing punches at your opponent. MMA injuries are incredibly common and sadly difficult to heal; this is why wrist protection is necessary for a safe wrestling experience.
The Different Types of Gloves and When To Use Them
When you’re choosing fighting gloves for the first time, you’ll find out that there isn’t just one type of glove you bring everywhere. Yes, beginners tend to start with only one pair, which is enough when learning. But as you advance your techniques and movements, you’ll want to update your only pair with specialised gloves for sparring and competitions.
These are a few types of gloves every MMA fighter will use at least once in their career.
Sparring Gloves
Sparring can get dangerous. This is why sparring gloves are a special subtype of regular MMA fighting gloves with extra padding over the knuckles and the back of your hands. This not only protects your hands from injuries during hard rounds, but it also protects your sparring partner from bodily harm.
Competition Gloves
The second you step in the competition cage, you’ll notice that in there it’s an entirely different world. MMA competition gloves often contain the least padding of the bunch. Lightweight and compact, these gloves deliver optimal power transfer. They are designed for pro fights, when you’ve already got the basics and are ready to take it to the next level.
Hybrid Gloves
Hybrid gloves are the best of both worlds. They are the perfect blend of sparring gloves and professional competition ones. Many recreational wrestlers choose this option for its versatility, making it ideal for both training and competitive matches. Hybrid gloves contain more padding than standard competition gloves but less padding than sparring gloves. If you’re interested in light sparring and pad work, these gloves are the perfect beginner-friendly gear.
Conclusion
To sum up, when you’re sparring on the mat, protection is the number one priority. MMA fighting gloves are necessary to ensure your safety and the well-being of your opponent. From understanding what these gloves are to knowing how to properly use them during a match, even the smallest details make you a better fighter. Every beginning is difficult, especially when trying out extreme sports. Hopefully, these small facts satisfy your curiosity and prepare you for what’s about to come next time you step on the mat!
