Difference between MMA Gloves and Boxing Gloves

Modern mixed martial arts has debuted in 1993. This sport involves grappling and striking techniques. MMA can be found in its early forms in Egypt, Greece, Philippines, Thailand, Japan, China and United States. In Asian countries, this sport developed for battlefield. Boxing has a long history as it was present in North Africa around 4000 BC. It was quite popular in Greeks and Romans. Romans ruler used this sport for distracting public from prevailing corruption and poverty. Mostly players were slaves and paid fighters. Fight continued till the death of one of the two fighters. However, this sport was banned due to extreme brutality in 393 AD.

 

MMA organizations have made use of MMA gloves compulsory. They are small, open-fingered gloves and usually weigh from 4oz to 6oz. Categories of these gloves depend on type of MMA activity. You will find sparring, fighting, bag and hybrid gloves. Oldest form of boxing gloves was used by Romans. Those gloves were leather thongs with metal studs to inflict maximum injury to the opponent. Boxing gloves weight ranges from 8oz to 20oz. Each type of boxing activity needs specific weight category. There are bag gloves, training gloves, sparring gloves, fighting gloves, fitness gloves and amateur fighting gloves.

 

MMA gloves have striking differences with boxing gloves. MMA gloves are small and open-fingered whereas boxing gloves give full protection to your entire hand and are heavier than MMA gloves. For professional boxing matches 10oz gloves are required by the international boxing organizations but MMA organizations require 4oz gloves. You can spar with 5oz gloves in MMA but boxing sparring need gloves weighing from 12 oz to 20oz depending on your weight. MMA gloves have minimal padding but boxing gloves have thick and compact padding. You can find boxing gloves with velcro and lace-up closures. However, MMA gloves only have velcro option. Due to these differences, you cannot use MMA gloves for boxing and vice versa. You need to buy specific gloves for that activity. Otherwise, you will injure yourself.