Bottom Line:
While MMA fighters often use boxing gloves for sparring, you’ll want some proper MMA gloves as well, whether it’s for specific MMA drills, light sparring, or competition. Our top MMA glove pick is the Venum Undisputed 2.0, which exemplifies the quality Venum is known for. Slightly cheaper options which still offer fantastic quality include the RDX GGR range and the budget Venum Challenger gloves.
The perfect set of MMA gloves can make a huge difference in your training. Your gloves are designed to protect you (your hands & the small joints within) and your partner. The right MMA gloves will also give you the ability to grapple freely, while maintaining the protection you need to stay injury-free.
This guide will tell you everything you need to know about choosing the best MMA gloves for you.
10 Best MMA Gloves for 2022
Venum Undisputed 2.0 MMA Gloves: Best Overall MMA Gloves
Key Features
- 6 amazing color combinations
- Made in Thailand
- Foam layered to form a natural curve
- New Velcro closure system
- Nappa leather
Venum’s newest pair of fight gloves were developed to be more comfortable while still maintaining its high-quality design. Its curved shape conforms to your hand and gives you a better fit for that powerful punch.
This the best pair of MMA gloves you can get with its high-quality stitching and premium grade Nappa leather materials.
The layered foam is second to none. It creates a natural curve to give you the ultimate comfort and superb ergonomics. These gloves also allow for a tight fit while letting you stay mobile enough for grappling.
The new closure system runs high and has a long Velcro wrap system. This system gives you that secure, snug fit and makes these gloves versatile for all sizes. It also allows you to close the lock with just one hand.
Who These Are For
The Venum Undisputed 2.0 are for advanced MMA fighters (or aspiring fighters) looking for the best MMA glove they can buy.
Pros
- Great protection
- Superior quality
- Extremely comfortable
- Long Velcro keeps gloves secure
- One-hand closure
Cons
- Long break-in period
- Not for beginners
- Expensive
RDX MMA Gloves: Best Value MMA Gloves
Key Features
- 2 sharp designs to choose from
- 100% authentic full-grain cowhide leather
- Moisture-wicking system micro-fabric
- Extra-thick triple-layered gel-tech padding
Say goodbye to shock impact with the RDX MMA Gloves. With extra-thick triple-layered gel-tech padding, your hands are well protected with this glove.
Shock absorbent foam is integrated over the knuckle area of this pair of gloves, and a padded block also protects the wrist-joint area. The use of authentic cowhide leather also adds to its shock-resistance.
Its Triangular Nabla-Palm design gives the ultimate grip and ventilation. The velcro closure is quick and easy while providing the right kind of snug fit needed to protect your wrists and keep you in your best punching form.
These gloves can be used for training, sparring, or fighting in the octagon. And this whole package comes at an affordable price point.
Who These Are For
The RDX MMA gloves are great for anyone looking for extra protective gloves at a very affordable price point. This is the one glove that can be used for all martial arts types, making it incredibly versatile.
Pros
- Stunning designs
- Less sweat
- Less odor
- Shock absorbent
- Secure velcro straps
- Versatile for any martial art
Cons
- Long break-in period
Venum Challenger MMA Gloves: Best Budget Pick
Key Features
- Layered high-density foam
- Made in Thailand
- Semi-leather
- Double closure system
The Venum Challenger gives you a high-quality pair of gloves at an affordable price. These gloves can be used for both training in the gym and fighting in the cage.
The double-closure system gives you easy access and keeps the gloves securely fastened to your wrists. It also guarantees that the gloves comfortably fit and amply support your wrists.
The wide leather Velcro closure prevents unwanted wrist injury. With its high-density layered foam, the Venum Challenger gives you a wide range of protection.
Every finger and thumb opening is reinforced, allowing the gloves to absorb all the shock created by each strike.
These Venum MMA gloves are made with superior quality materials and have a fantastic design. It is visually stunning and well made.
Who These Are For
The Venum Challenger is the one for anyone looking for affordable MMA training gloves, as it gives you enough protection when striking and punching while also allowing for great flexibility for grappling.
Pros
- 5 different colors to choose from
- Better protection
- Superior quality
- Perfect fit
- Great comfort and support
Cons
- Not much palm protection
Hayabusa T3 MMA Gloves
Key Features
- 6 different color choices
- Amazing antimicrobial technology
- Multi-directional Dual-X closure
- Pre-curved
- Y-Volar design
The Hayabusa T3 MMA Gloves are best for grappling, sparring, or striking. These gloves can be used by all fighters and athletes of any skill level.
The T3 has a pre-curved design, which helps lessen hand fatigue during sparring or competitions. The Dual-X closure has excellent hand and wrist stabilization.
Hate smelly gloves? The T3’s XT2 Antimicrobial lining stops bacterial growth, which also minimizes odor inside these gloves.
The Hayabusa “Y-Volar” design gives you superior stability and control compared to other standard MMA gloves. The consistent and contoured fit stays securely in place, whether you’re punching or grappling.
Who These Are For
The T3 MMA gloves are for everyone. Incredibly versatile, this is the one glove that suits both beginners and professionals.
Pros
- Many colors to choose from
- Fantastic hand and wrist stabilization
- Less odor
- Stays secure no matter what you do
Cons
- Long break-in time
Everlast MMA Gloves
Key Features
- 2 traditional colors to choose from
- Premium synthetic leather
- EverDri Technology
Offering premium synthetic leather, the Everlast MMA gloves have excellent construction and gives you long-lasting durability and functionality. Its EverDri Technology keeps you cool and dry even after hours and hours of training.
These make great MMA training gloves. With a full wrist wrap strap, rest assured your wrists are fully supported. It also allows for a customizable fit for any wrist size.
Notably, these gloves are excellent for grappling. However, they don’t give the best support for your palm.
Who These Are For
The Everlast MMA gloves are great for beginners. They are inexpensive and gives you enough functionality without breaking the bank.
Pros
- Keeps hands cool
- Customizable fit
- Full wrist support
Cons
- Not the most durable
Combat Sports MMA Sparring Gloves
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Key Features
- 8 colorful options to choose from
- Meets all state regulations for MMA competitions
- Synthetic leather
- Open palm
- 3/4-inch padding
- Weighs 5 ounces
- 3 sizes available
If you want a no-brainer set of gloves, this pair of Combat Sports MMA Sparring gloves are the best choice for you. These gloves meet all state MMA competition regulations, so you can be assured you have the right support.
Weighing only 5 ounces, these gloves are light enough to prevent hand fatigue. Its 3/4 inches of padding also gives you increased protection and safety for your hands and opponent.
Its open palm design makes these gloves great for grappling and allows for full gripping capabilities. The use of synthetic leather also gives you durability and longevity.
Perfect for light sparring, these gloves are inexpensive and give you great value.
Who These Are For
These gloves are particularly great for kids and beginners, as it is perfect for light sparring. However, they are not durable enough for professional competitions.
Pros
- Allows for good gripping and grappling
- Enough padding support for your protection
- Great control during grappling
- Affordable
- Excellent knuckle protection and shock absorption
Cons
- Not the most durable MMA gloves
- Difficult to land one-punch knockouts
Hayabusa Tokushu Regenesis MMA Striking Gloves
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Key Features
- 2 color options to choose from
- Amazing antimicrobial technology
- Multi-directional Dual-X closure
- Pre-curved
- Open-palm
- Hayabusa AG inner fabric
Hayabusa’s all-new Tokushu Regenesis MMA Gloves are better than ever.
Made with an ergonomic all-improved 30% pre-curved design while maintaining the patented Dual-X Wrist Closure system, these premium gloves give you maximum protection and power generation.
The antimicrobial “X-Static XT2” lining not only prevents unwanted odors from building up but also provides you the ultimate comfort. They are also powered with exclusive Hayabusa AG inner fabric.
With all these features and its open-palm design, the Tokushu Regenesis MMA gloves keep your hands comfortable and cool all the time. These are some of the best gloves you can get today.
Who These Are For
For those looking for comfortable striking gloves that will keep their hands cool and protected, the Hayabusa Tokushu Regenesis MMA Striking gloves are for you.
Pros
- Prevents odors from building up
- Keeps hands cool and comfortable
- Ergonomic
Cons
- Long break-in period
RDX F12 MMA Gloves
Key Features
- 4 great designs to choose from
- Maya-Hide synthetic construction
- Moisture-wicking technology
Perfect for beginners, the resilient Maya-Hide synthetic construction makes these gloves long-lasting. However, they’re not as durable as other RDX models.
The polymax contoured padding curves over your knuckles to give you efficient protection against shock impact. RDX also improved its hook and loop closure to ensure a quicker and tighter fastening.
All RDX MMA gloves have moisture-wicking synthetic micro-fabric, which draws moisture away from your hands and gives you the best comfort and breathability.
Who These Are For
The RDX F12 MMA Gloves are perfect for beginners looking to get into MMA.
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Great value for beginners
- Keeps hands cool
- Breathable
- Excellent knuckle protection and impact resistance
- Increased safety
- Improved wrist support
Cons
- Not as durable as other models
- Can not be used in competitions
- Extra thumb protection essential
Sanabul Battle Forged MMA Gloves
Key Features
- 3 fantastic styles to choose from
- Antimicrobial, premium lining
- Velcro locking system
These MMA gloves are perfect for mixed martial arts training if you want to seamlessly transition from grappling gloves to striking gloves without changing gloves. Its fit is excellent.
With all the advantages of traditional MMA gloves, these gloves go beyond and come with engineered leather, hand-shaped foam, and other modifications to provide you added comfort and durability.
Its antimicrobial premium lining helps prevent unwanted growth of bacteria and fungi. The lining also keeps excess moisture from being absorbed into the gloves, thus extending its lifespan.
The Velcro closure system also allows you to quickly wrap these gloves, even if you were wearing hand wraps underneath them. The Sanabul Battle Forged MMA Gloves are the best that Sanabul has to offer.
Who These Are For
These gloves are great for those who prefer more traditional MMA gloves and want the versatility of grip and strike at the same time without changing gloves.
Pros
- Prevents the growth of bacteria and fungi
- Less moisture absorption
- Easy to wear
- Long lifespan
Cons
- Long break-in
Sanabul Essential MMA Gloves
Key Features
- 6 designs to choose from
- Dura-soft impact protection foam
- Leather construction
The Sannabul Essential MMA gloves are one of the most affordable MMA gloves out there. This can be used for both striking and grappling gloves.
Its high-quality and durable material is easier to clean and maintain. The Dura-soft impact protection foam offers you excellent protection and softness. It not only prevents training injuries but also keeps you comfortable throughout.
With an innovative two-way Velcro locking system, you can easily wear your MMA gloves even while wearing hand wraps underneath. Furthermore, these gloves are great for short-range quick punch exchanges.
Who These Are For
Sanabul Essential are great for beginners looking for the most affordable MMA starting gloves. It offers enough versatility that you can seamlessly transition from grappling to striking.
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Great for beginners
- Short break-in time
- Comfortable
- 2 sizes available
- Good impact absorption
Cons
- Not for heavy bag or free-standing heavy bag
- Not for teardrop
- Leather needs time to mold to hand
What Is The Difference Between MMA and Boxing Gloves?
A lot of the time, when you train or spar for MMA, you’ll end up wearing boxing gloves. You also usually wear boxing gloves for working the bag.
If you’re on a budget and want to train multiple forms of striking (say boxing and Muay Thai) along with MMA, you can save by just buying a pair of boxing gloves. These double as bag mitts, pad gloves and sparring gloves.
If you’re serious about MMA and competing, however, you’ll want to pick up some proper MMA gloves.
Limitations of Boxing Gloves
With the way boxing gloves are made, they keep your hands in a particular position. They are also too bulky and stiff, something that is necessary to protect you when you box.
However, this is not an advantage in MMA. You cannot grapple with boxing gloves, which is a crucial part of MMA training.
Note that if your MMA workout or sparring for the day will mainly focus on striking and punching and will not involve any grappling, it is generally better to use boxing gloves.
Weight and Size
This is another noticeable difference between these two types of gloves. Boxing and kickboxing bag gloves usually range from 8 to 16 ounces, while MMA gloves typically weigh between 4 to 6 ounces.
The difference of 4 to 10 ounces is huge in MMA. It affects the protection of your hand and wrist and the protection of your training or sparring partner.
The weight of your MMA gloves will also vary depending on the type you choose to use.
For example, boxing bag gloves usually weigh more than competition gloves due to more padding for hand protection.
Sparring gloves are typically heavier to protect your sparring partner from any accidents or injuries. Some hybrid gloves are usually somewhere in between competition and bag gloves.
Here are their usual weights according to type:
- Competition gloves – 4 – 6 ounces
- Training / Grappling / Hybrid Gloves – 7 – 10 ounces
- MMA Sparring gloves – 7 – 10 ounces
Can I Use MMA Gloves for Heavy Bags?
Heavy bag workouts require gloves made for that type of activity. The repeated punching on a heavy bag places immense amounts of stress on your wrists and fingers. Without proper protection, you can easily injure yourself.
You will need heavy bag gloves that are designed to absorb the shock for this type of workout. You should never use light half finger gloves.
If you have to use these lighter gloves for training, make sure you know what you are doing! Ask your coach first. While this may help you toughen up your knuckles and wrists, this is a perfect recipe for injury when done incorrectly.
No matter what gloves you will be using, ALWAYS wrap your hands before hitting the heavy bag.
What’s the Right MMA Glove Size For Me?
To determine the perfect MMA gloves size for you, you need to measure the palm circumference of your hand. Use the following guide to determine what size of glove you need.
- Small size – 6.0 – 7.0 inches OR 15 – 18 centimeters palm circumference
- Medium size – 7.0 – 8.0 inches OR 18 – 20 centimeters palm circumference
- Large size – 8.0 – 9.0 inches OR 20 – 23 centimeters palm circumference
- Extra Large size – 9.0 inches and above OR 23 centimeters and above palm circumference
What You Should Consider Before Buying Your Own MMA Gloves
With the many choices for MMA gloves out there, finding the best one for you will depend on many factors.
If you are planning on joining a competition, their rules and guidelines usually have specific requirements for the types of gloves you can use. Some, like UFC, even have their own brand.
Here is an essential guide to determining what gloves are perfect for you.
What Type of Glove Do You Need?
There are many types and styles of MMA gloves available, so figuring out the kind you need is the first step to choosing the best MMA gloves for you. This will highly depend on the type of training you will be doing.
Competition Gloves
MMA competition gloves have minimal padding and usually weigh 4 ounces or less, depending on the competition’s rules. The fingers are separated to let you freely move, grapple, and hold onto your opponent.
Remember that you must wear hand wraps or inner gloves under your MMA gloves due to the small amount of padding this type of gloves provide.
Training or Grappling or Hybrid Gloves
Going by several names, these can all just be called MMA training gloves. The fingers are also separated with padding on the second knuckle.
Its features give you ample protection for punching while still allowing for movement to grapple and hold your opponents.
Sparring Gloves
Sparring and heavy bag workouts in MMA primarily focus on punching and striking techniques. This is why MMA sparring gloves have more padding on the top and front of your hand and weigh around 6 to 7 ounces on average.
This focus is meant to give your hand the right amount of protection from unnecessary punishment or injuries. Like boxing gloves, MMA sparring gloves have a grip bar that helps form a tight fist for punching.
Note that its advantage is also what makes these type of gloves unsuitable for grappling style workouts. For non-MMA (no grappling) sparring, it’s better to use boxing gloves.
Material and Quality
Now that you know the type of gloves you need, you will notice the vital differences between them even within the same type. Determining the features you need for your type of glove will help prevent any buyer’s remorse.
Leather vs. Synthetic Leather
The best choice of material between these two types is leather gloves. Leather has better quality, is more durable, and natural. However, they are also more expensive.
Synthetic leather is also a good option, especially for beginners. It is not as fussy as taking care of leather gloves and is far more affordable. Many fighters, though, say that they feel the difference between these two and prefer leather gloves.
If you cannot afford pure leather gloves, you can also try buying a pair that uses leather only for its main parts. Remember that if you choose leather gloves, you need to make sure they are treated regularly and stored correctly.
Polystyrene gloves need to be adequately stored but do not need to be treated. This makes it a popular choice for fighters who do not want to be bothered with caring for their gloves.
Foam Padding
Foam padding is the most common type of padding in MMA gloves. A lot of brands use layered foam when making their MMA gloves, while others use regular foam.
Prioritize getting gloves with a double or triple layered foam. Extra layers help with shock absorption and can also be required in fighting regulations. For beginners, some extra padding will be an advantage.
Cheaper gloves will be less durable and less likely to last through your abuse. It is crucial to look for MMA gloves that have high-quality padding. Read reviews and ask your fellow fighters for their recommendations.
Gloves also vary in the type of finger padding they offer. The more expensive ones have individual padding for each knuckle while keeping them separated, allowing ample protection and flexibility. Others just have one padding that covers all the knuckles.
Some competitions, like UFC, have regulations when it comes to foam padding, so be sure to check those out if you are planning to join a competition any time soon.
Interior Lining
Many underestimate the importance of having a good interior lining. Without it, you can be extremely uncomfortable during your fight. Worse, you can end up with unnecessary and painful blisters and rashes.
The heaviness of the material is something you should also consider. This would depend on what it is made of. A heavier material means more sweat production.
Wrist Strap
It is essential to look for a strap that won’t give out in the middle of a sparring session. You would not want them flying off. It will not just be dangerous for you, but also for your sparring partner.
Look for a solid velcro wrist strap. Because the strap is the only thing that holds your hand and wrist together, a secure and tight wrist strap is essential. A buckle strap is not good, as it may cause damage to your opponent.
Warranty
As with any purchase, having a warranty is always an advantage. This is even more crucial if you’re planning to buy an expensive pair of gloves.
Make sure your gloves have a warranty that at least covers manufacturing defects. Some even cover beyond that, which is an advantage that you should seriously consider. This usually means that the manufacturer is extremely confident in their product.
Our Top Picks
Venum Undisputed 2.0 Gloves: Best Overall
The Venum Undisputed 2.0 is the best MMA glove you can buy. It has all the features you would want and offers you more than enough protection. They are also incredibly versatile and can be used in professional competitions.
With this top of the line MMA glove, you get comfort, a perfect fit, and durability. As with many Venum products, you also pay a premium price. But you pay extra for that premium construction, design, and material.
When we’re talking MMA gloves, you can’t go wrong with Venum.
- High quality Nappa leather
RDX MMA Gloves: Best Value
Versatile enough to be used for any martial arts, the RDX MMA glove gives you extra protection, durability, and comfort. These are versatile enough for both training, sparring, and actual competitions.
You also get that perfect snug fit and proper ventilation so that you can use this glove for hours and hours. The great part is that it is not as expensive as the top of the line glove options out there.
Venum Challenger MMA Gloves: Best Budget Pick
The Venum Challenger is our best budget pick because they are affordable while still giving you all the features you need. It can be used for both training and competitions.
It even has protection and reinforcements for each of your fingers. It offers a comfortable fit while giving you enough support to prevent injuries. The locking system will also make sure your gloves are not going anywhere.
Despite its affordability, these gloves are made of leather, giving you that premium feel and quality.
- PU leather construction
- Layered foam for greater Protection
- Aggressive design
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Conclusion
When choosing the best MMA gloves for you, a lot of factors will matter. It highly depends on your level of skill and your intended use for the gloves.
Don’t be afraid to read reviews, do further research on the best MMA gear, and ask fellow fighters who have personally used these gloves themselves for their best MMA gloves recommendation.
We are confident this list of the best MMA gloves has everything for every fighter of every budget.
