MMA Gloves

MMA gloves leave the fingers free. That is the whole point — you cannot grip, grapple or defend a takedown with a closed fist, so the padding sits over the knuckles and the palm stays open.

The trade-off is protection. There is far less foam over the knuckle than in a Muay Thai glove, which is why MMA gloves are not a substitute for Muay Thai sparring gloves. If you are doing stand-up sparring, wear 16oz. If you are grappling, clinching or drilling MMA, this is what you want.

Sparring gloves, not competition gloves

Competition MMA gloves are 4oz and offer close to nothing. The gloves in this collection are sparring gloves — heavier, with meaningfully more padding across the knuckle and a proper wrist strap. They are what you train in, week in and week out.

The Fairtex range

Fairtex make three MMA sparring gloves and the numbering does not tell you much on its own.

• FGV15 — the long-standing favourite. Well padded, comfortable, and the safe default.
• FGV17 — a different hand shape and closure.
• FGV18 — the newest of the three.

We compared all three properly, side by side, in our Fairtex MMA gloves review — FGV15 vs FGV17 vs FGV18. If you are choosing between them, start there.

Fumetsu Ghost S3

The value option, and the only MMA sparring glove here that comes in a genuine kids' size. Most manufacturers do not make one at all, so if you are kitting out a child who trains, this is effectively the range.

Worth saying plainly: an MMA glove is not a substitute for a child's Muay Thai gloves either. For stand-up sparring a child needs 6oz or 8oz boxing gloves. See the full kids' range.

Getting the fit right

MMA gloves should be snug. Unlike a Muay Thai glove, there is no wrap underneath to take up slack, and a loose MMA glove will rotate on the hand the moment you post, frame or grip — which is exactly when you need the knuckle padding where it should be.

If you are between sizes and unsure, message us before you order.