Which MMA gloves should you buy?

Participating in MMA requires that you invest in decent MMA gloves before you can think of anything else. Irrespective of how good an athlete you are in this sport, if you don't have the right gear, your performance will suffer.

Perhaps MMA gloves should be treated as one of the fundamental things you should have before stepping into any ring out there. And since we're using the word ''must'' here, there's a strong possibility that these things will enhance your athletic performance.

First though, choosing the correct weight and material is essential to getting a good pair of MMA gloves that fit correctly without slowing your performance down.

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So, what is the right kind of material you should look for in any MMA glove out there?

Leather gloves

They are certainly the best and most expensive for that matter. But the reward is well worth it since they fit snugly and also last longer.

Also, the kind of material you choose depends on which purpose you're using the pair of gloves for. If you want MMA gloves purely for fitness purposes, you won't need to put so much emphasis on the material. But if you want a pair of gloves exclusively for training purposes, you will definitely go for leather instead.

Artificial leather

Starters who haven't developed their MMA skills would be fine going with artificial leather gloves. This also applies to kids who might want to participate in MMA.

However, the problem with artificial leather is that it will quickly wear out as the athlete develops speed, stamina and power.

If you're on a budget, I'd recommend these ones. But if you're willing to spend a few more bucks for the right kind of gloves, just buy leather instead.

Style of MMA gloves you're choosing

For students who participate in MMA sparring, it is better to go with simple gloves that don't require cumbersome work when putting on.

Some fight gloves are designed with a lace mechanism to tie on the hand. This normally gives the athlete a snug fit onto their hands.

Typical gloves will have some sort of padding on the knuckles with a closing mechanism. You could also go for gloves built with Velcro enclosures too.

The benefit of Velcro enclosures is that you can tie them up or remove them without the help of another person. In fact, if you're just an average MMA fighter, you could go with gloves designed with Velcro enclosures since they are a good fit for regular training.

Weight of gloves

Gloves come in weights that vary between 6oz to 20oz. Professional MMA matches will use 10oz gloves. But as for you,  12, 14 to 16 ounce will serve your training purposes well. On the other hand, if you're concerned with more protection, you could choose to buy 20 ounce gloves instead.

However, there's a secret you need to learn when it comes to using MMA gloves. If you're preparing to participate in a 10 ounce gloves MMA fight, you might find sparring with heavier gloves quite useful since it will significantly increase your speed when it comes to fighting with lighter ones.

Here's a breakdown of all the weight specifics to look into:

16oz ---- for professional MMA fighters
14oz------ Ideal for sparring
120z------ good for starters
10oz------- starter size for both men and women, can also be used in competitions
8oz------Ideal for women and teenagers
6oz----- Ideal for kids between 7 and 5 years

Color

Color is a matter of personal preference, sponsor or club requirements. Therefore, I would advice that you pick a color that keeps you happy.

Safety of an MMA glove

Modern gloves come with a safety feature known as thumb lock. This feature is useful because it prevents accidental eye gouges or thumb injuries that might happen during a match.

Also, make sure you find a suitable MMA head gear for your sparring sessions. These too are available in different materials and colors to suit your preference.