What Is The Difference Between Boxing Gloves And MMA Gloves?

What is the difference between boxing gloves and MMA gloves? The main difference is in the size and the padding; let’s tell you more!

However, other differences lie in fingers, hand wraps, and even safety. But how? Find out below!

9 Differences Between Boxing Gloves And MMA Gloves

MMA and Boxing gloves are two different types of gloves used in two other sports. Here are the nine main differences between the two:

1. Size:

The first thing you will notice is that boxing gloves are larger than MMA gloves. 

The extra size has multiple functions:

– To protect the fighter’s hands

– To absorb more impact and distribute it better

– Also, to give a bigger surface area for punching

Why is the size of boxing gloves bigger? The answer is in its usage as compared to MMA gloves.

Boxing gloves are used mainly for punching. They are not used for grappling or wrestling, so they don’t need to be as agile.

On the other hand, MMA gloves are much smaller because MMA is a mix of different fighting styles. 

It means that the gloves need to be able to perform well in various situations.

Overall, the size difference between boxing and MMA gloves comes down to the function of each sport.

2. Padding:

Another noticeable difference is in the padding.

Boxing gloves have more padding than MMA gloves. This is for two reasons:

– To protect the hands of the fighter

– To increase the impact of punches

The extra padding on boxing gloves makes them ideal for punching. It means that fighters can punch harder without injuring their hands.

However, the downside is that this extra padding makes boxing gloves less nimble.

This can be a disadvantage in grappling and wrestling situations.

MMA gloves, on the other hand, have less padding. This gives them a better grip and dexterity.

It also means that they are less likely to cause injury when used in grappling and wrestling situations.

Moreover, the lack of padding makes MMA gloves lighter and more comfortable.

Does that mean MMA is better, though, because they are lighter gloves?

Not indeed, because it depends on the usage and what you are looking for.

Some people prefer the extra padding on boxing gloves because it gives them more protection.

Some people find that the lack of padding on MMA gloves makes them more comfortable.

Therefore, it comes down to personal preference.

3. Fingers:

One of the biggest differences between boxing and MMA gloves is the fingers.

Boxing gloves cover all the fingers, while MMA gloves only cover the first three. 

The extra coverage on boxing gloves is for protection. It means that fighters can punch without worrying about injuring their fingers.

However, the downside is that this extra coverage can make it more difficult to grip an opponent.

It can also make it more difficult to perform specific techniques, such as:

– Grappling

– Wrestling.

On the other hand, MMA gloves allow fighters to have more skill in their fingers.

This means that they can grip an opponent better and perform techniques more easily.

However, the downside is that MMA gloves offer less protection to the fingers.

This means that fighters are more likely to injure their fingers when punching.

The difference in fingers between boxing and MMA gloves is significantly different.

It is one of the things that sets these two sports apart.

4. Hand Wraps:

Another difference between boxing and MMA gloves is in the hand wraps.

Boxing gloves come with pre-wrapped hands, while MMA gloves do not. 

Here are some critical advantages of hand wraps:

1. Improves Protection:

Hand wraps help to protect the bones and tendons in the hand. They also help to reduce the risk of injury when punching.

They help to distribute the impact of a punch more evenly.

2. Improve Punching Power:

Wrapping your hands also helps to improve your punching power. This is because it provides extra support to the wrist and forearm.

With this support, you can generate more power when throwing a punch.

3. Better Grip:

Hand wraps also give you a better grip on the gloves. This helps to prevent the gloves from slipping during a fight.

Moreover, it also helps to absorb sweat and keep your hands dry. Thus, you can maintain a better grip on the gloves.

4. Reduces Pain:

Wrapping your hands also helps to reduce pain when punching. This is because it helps distribute the impact of a punch more evenly.

Thus, you can punch harder without feeling as much pain in your hands.

5. Improve Blood Circulation:

They help to improve blood circulation. This is important because it helps prevent any cramping or fatigue in the hands.

To sum up, there are many advantages to wrapping your hands. It is one of the things that sets boxing apart from MMA.

MMA fighters do not use hand wraps because they are not allowed to compete. It is because the hand wraps can be used to choke an opponent.

Moreover, hand wraps can also grip an opponent’s clothing. This gives the fighter an unfair advantage.

MMA is a sport where fighters cannot use any unfair advantage. Therefore, MMA fighters do not use hand wraps.

5. Safety:

Boxing is a safe sport because of the padding in the gloves. The padding helps absorb the impact of a punch and protect the fighter’s hands.

MMA is not as safe because of the lack of padding in the gloves. This means that fighters are more likely to injure their hands when punching.

Padding also protects the head from punches. Thus, boxing is safer for the head than MMA.

However, considering the opponent’s perspective, MMA is safer. This is because MMA fighters are not allowed to punch the head of a downed opponent.

Thus, there is less chance of severe head injuries in MMA.

Likewise, MMA fighters are also not allowed to kick the head of a downed opponent. This makes MMA safer for the head than boxing.

Meanwhile, in boxing, fighters are allowed to punch the head of a downed opponent. This makes boxing more dangerous for the head than MMA.

6. Closure:

Boxing gloves come with a closure at the back. This helps secure the gloves and prevent them from coming off during a fight.

MMA gloves do not have a closure. It would be easy for their opponent to grab them and take them off if they had closure.

MMA fighters need to be able to take their gloves off quickly. This is because they might need to use their bare hands during a fight.

Thus, the lack of closure is another crucial difference between boxing and MMA gloves.

7. Types:

Let’s discuss the difference in types between the two:

A. Boxing Gloves

There are two types of boxing gloves:

1. Lace-up Gloves:

Lace-up gloves are the traditional type of boxing gloves. They provide a snug fit and good support for the wrists.

However, they are not as easy to put on and take off.

You need to tie the laces every time you put them on.

2. Velcro Gloves:

Velcro gloves are the newer type of boxing gloves. They are easy to put on and take off.

This is because you need to fasten the velcro straps.

However, they do not provide as much support for the wrists as lace-up gloves.

B. MMA Gloves

There are four types of MMA gloves:

1. Grappling Gloves:

Grappling gloves are the most common type of MMA gloves.

They have open fingers and thumbs. This allows you to grip your opponent and perform grappling maneuvers.

2. Sparring Gloves:

Sparring gloves are similar to boxing gloves. They have padding on the front and cover the whole hand.

They are for training sessions to help reduce the risk of injury.

3. Bag Gloves:

Bag gloves are similar to sparring gloves. However, they have less padding.

This makes them lighter and easier to move around in. Boxers use them for training on punching bags.

4. Competition Gloves:

Competition gloves are the gloves that are used in actual MMA fights.

They have less padding than sparring gloves. This makes them lighter and easier to move around in.

However, it also means that they provide less protection for the hands.

To sum up, there are many different types of boxing and MMA gloves. The kind of glove that you use will depend on your purpose.

8. Punching Power:

Boxing gloves have more padding than MMA gloves. This means that they can absorb more impact.

Thus, boxing punches tend to be more powerful than MMA punches.

MMA fighters need to be able to punch with precision.

This is because they are not allowed to punch the head of a downed opponent.

Thus, they cannot rely on the padding of the gloves to protect their hands.

In the end, boxing punches are more powerful than MMA punches. However, MMA punches are more precise.

9. Material:

Boxing gloves are usually made of leather. This is because leather is durable and can withstand any wear and tear.

Moreover, leather is comfortable and provides good support for the hands.

MMA gloves are usually made of synthetic materials. This is because they need to be light and easy to move around.

MMA gloves are usually made of synthetic materials. This is because they need to be lighter and more breathable.

Moreover, MMA gloves need to be able to grip the mat. This helps the fighter to perform grappling maneuvers.

What Would You Choose To Buy – Boxing Gloves Or MMA Gloves?

It depends on your needs. If you need gloves for boxing, then you should buy boxing gloves.

On the other hand, if you need MMA gloves, you should buy MMA gloves.

Moreover, the type of glove you choose will also depend on your budget. Boxing gloves are usually more expensive than MMA gloves.

Thus, if you have a limited budget, you should buy MMA gloves.

Likewise, if you have a large budget, you should buy boxing gloves.

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. You need to choose the type of glove best suited for your needs.

Conclusion:

The main difference between boxing gloves and MMA gloves is their purpose. Boxing gloves are for punching, while MMA gloves are for grappling.

Boxing gloves have more padding than MMA gloves. This means that they can absorb more impact. Thus, boxing punches tend to be more powerful than MMA punches.

MMA fighters need to be able to punch with precision. This is because they are not allowed to punch the head of a downed opponent. Thus, they cannot rely on the padding of the gloves to protect their hands.

In the end, boxing punches are more powerful than MMA punches. However, MMA punches are more precise.