"Can I train MMA with my boxing gloves too?" The answer is not as simple as you might think. MMA gloves and boxing gloves look similar, but are designed for completely different purposes.
The main difference: padding and fingers
A boxing glove has a thick layer of foam padding over your entire fist and closed fingers. This protects your hand when punching, but makes grabbing and clinching impossible.
An MMA glove, on the other hand, has much less padding and free fingers (or an open palm). This is necessary because in MMA you also need to be able to grab, clinch, and wrestle, which is not possible with thick boxing gloves.
Can you use boxing gloves for MMA training?
For boxing training within MMA, such as punching on the bag or pads, a boxing glove can work perfectly well. But as soon as wrestling or grabbing is involved, a boxing glove falls short: you simply cannot grab with it.
The reverse is almost the same: with an MMA glove, you miss the thick cushioning you need during intensive punching or sparren to properly protect your knuckles and wrist.
When do you need which glove?
Boxing gloves are suitable for:
- Boxing and kickboxing
- Punching on the punching bag or pads
- Sparren without grabbing
MMA gloves are suitable for:
- MMA training and sparren
- Grappling combined with punching
- Competitions and amateur MMA (depending on the governing body, often mandatory)
Size and weight of MMA gloves
Just like boxing gloves, MMA gloves have a weight in oz, usually 4 oz or 7 oz. The lighter 4 oz version is often used for competitions and intensive grappling, while the 7 oz version offers slightly more cushioning and is suitable for sparren and pad or bag work.
In addition, unlike boxing gloves, MMA gloves are often also available in sizes S, M, L and XL. A good fit is especially important here: too loose and your grip is inadequate, too tight and your fingers and wrist do not have enough room to move.
Do you train both boxing and MMA techniques?
Do you alternate between pure punching and grappling/MMA techniques? Then it is wise to have both types of gloves at home. For pure boxing and kickboxing training, choose a boxing glove; for MMA sparren and grappling, choose an MMA glove.
