If you’re looking for the top MMA glove, then you’re in the right place. With all the present options out there, I know how hard it can be to find the perfect pair. It’s possible you’ll even need different pairs depending on the type of training you’ll be doing.
After all, we all have different ambitions. If you’re considering stepping into the octagon at some point, then you’ll need to be as prepared as possible. When your gloves, a solid mouthguard, and the ceremonious groin guard are the only things standing between you and your opponent, you want to make sure you’ve got the best of the best.
Besides the importance of quality gloves for competition, you also want to keep in mind how easy it can be to injure yourself while training. This is a combat sport. The only way to get better is to simulate that combat.
If you’re here, that probably means you’re not afraid of getting a little bruised up along the way. But you still want to keep yourself as healthy as possible so that you don’t get in the way of your own progress. The right gloves go a long way in making sure that you do just that.
Now, that being said – mixed martial arts loves can be a bit on the expensive side. My advice here is to spend money on a pair that will do the job right and last you a good amount of time so that you don’t end up spending more money, in the long run, having to replace them constantly.
There are plenty of options out there as a mixed martial artist. In this guide, you’ll get an in-depth look at the top gloves you can get your hands on (or in, depending on how you want to look at this).
Top Training Gloves
1. Sentinel's Choice - RDX T2GL Training Gloves
When it comes to training and grappling gloves, RDX has some great choices. Their T2GL line being one of their best. Crafted with real leather, this model uses multi-layered gel for improved shock absorption.
Fighters love to use this pair for bag training because of the extra padding that it offers. Helping to protect your hands better than competition gloves while still offering enough flexibility for grappling. They have a longer finger covering that reach up to the 2nd knuckles and thumb sleeves that protect most of your thumb. Leaving a triangular opening on the palm which helps with increased control.
2. RDX F12 Training Gloves
Similar to the T2GL, the F12 are gloves designed for training. A bit cheaper than their counterpart, these grappling gloves use a brand of synthetic leather (Maya Hide) instead.
They also switch the more advanced gel technology with a standard layered foal. Despite those changes, the F12 still covers up the same portions of the hand that the T2GL does. So your fingers and thumbs are protected up to the 2nd knuckle and only knuckle respectively while leaving some room on the palm for maximum flexibility.
With options in black, blue, red, and pink; the RDX F12 is a great alternative for those of you looking for a better deal without compromising too much on the quality department.
3. Everlast Pro Style MMA Grappling Gloves
Consider these the budget option of the group. More geared towards grappling training, you’ll be free to deal as much punishment to these gloves without feeling too guilty about wasting your money.
With a straightforward and simple design, these gloves have a single foam pad that stretches across the back of the hand to the fingers. There are no thumb sleeves but it does come with an open palm design that incorporates a diagonal connection that helps to keep your hand secured within the glove.
Offering ample protection when grappling but not ideal for striking or bag work.
Best Sparring Gloves
If you plan on sharpening your skills with some sparring sessions then it’s important that you protect yourself and your sparring partner. MMA gloves tend to lean towards the lightweight side of the tracks so you want to choose gloves that offer enough padding to keep you safe. Unlike boxing or Muay Thai, MMA consists of both stand up and ground game. So you’ll need to strike a balance between gear that’s flexible and gear that’ll keep you in one piece.
Splitting up your striking and grappling can be a good idea in order to wear the more appropriate pair of gloves for each. But you also want to practice transitioning between the two in which case you’ll have to find a pair of sparring gloves that can handle both the high impact striking side of things and the more flexible grappling world.
1. RDX MMA Sparring Gloves
Coming in for the 3rd time is RDX with their T6 sparring gloves. A solid offering with synthetic leather that won’t leave as much of a hole in your pocket. It uses a layered gel padding for shock absorption and impact protection from striking.
The inside of the gloves has an open design where your fingers and thumb are pretty much the only things being covered. Allowing for the ability to grapple while sparring. Finally, the wrist strap is more than long enough to provide both protection for your wrists and a snug fit regardless of how aggressive those sparring sessions get.
2. Combat Sports Max Strike
Featured on The Ultimate Fighter competition, the Combat Sports Max Strike is a popular choice in the MMA world. Approximately 7oz, this glove consists of genuine leather and top-notch padding for striking.
Identical in almost every way to the cheaper Combat Sports Safety Sparring Gloves except for the higher quality use of materials. Giving fighters an option to choose the option that’s right for them.
3. Venum Elite
Making its final appearance on this list, Venum strikes again with another exceptional product. The Venum Elites are sparring gloves created explicitly for MMA. Keeping their weight down to 7oz instead of the heavier/bulkier options for boxing and Muay Thai.
These gloves have a really nice finger compartment that I love underneath the exterior padding. Made with Venum’s premium Skintex material, you can expect the level of durability and toughness that Thailand glove manufacturers are known for.
The wrist system consists of both an inner velcro strap which is followed by an outer strap that further secures the glove to your hand. Consider going a size up than what you would normally go with.
Top Competition Gloves
1. Venum Undisputed 2.0
Venum’s Undisputed 2.0 competition gloves are easily one of, if not the top, fighting gloves out there right now. Everything about these gloves is of top-quality. From the top of the line leather to the high-density stitching, these gloves feel at home on your hands.
The layered foam padding creates a comfortable fighting stance for your hands that will take a bit of a breaking period to get just right for you. The wrist support extends high and is secured firmly by lengthy velcro system. All in all, these gloves are exactly the type of quality you’d expect from a reputable Thailand manufacturer like Venum.
2. Hayabusa Tokusha Regenesis
One of Hayabusa’s top 4oz competition gloves, the Tokushu Regenesis is designed for an easy fit and comfort. The thumb slit design and the curved knuckle functionality make these gloves extremely easy to use. With odor resistant material lining the inside of the gloves, you can also rest easy knowing that you won’t have the grossest gloves in your gym.
The external material is composed of synthetic leather which is marketed as being tougher and stronger than the real thing. So far, the jury is out on this claim but they’re definitely on to something here.
All that being said, these are one of the pricier gloves on the market right now. Going as high as 2x the price of other competition gloves out there. But, if you’re looking for quality, and you’re willing to pay extra for gloves that will do just as much work as you are then these might be your ideal pick.
3. Venum Attack
Another Venum pick – the Venum Attack MMA gloves are fit for both competition and training. Made out of their premium ‘Skintex’ leather, this is a pair that will keep your hands nice and safe for a very long time. The inside of the gloves is layered with high-density foam padding that provides impressive protection from impact.
Equipped with a long velcro system on the wrists to allow for a more customized fit will secure a snug fit whether you’re wearing hand wraps underneath or not. The Venum Attack also comes with a rather rare thumb padding which can come in handy depending on your fighting style. So if you like the black/white look (it’s the only option they offer) and are looking for a new pair of dependable competition gloves, this is a pair that I highly recommend.
