Boxing vs MMA Gloves: Sizes, Protection & When to Use Each
Compare boxing vs MMA gloves—padding, sizes, use cases, and how to choose.
More padding for boxing; open fingers for MMA grappling.
Quick answer: Use boxing gloves (12–16 oz) for bagwork and most sparring to protect your hands and partner. Use MMA gloves (4–6 oz in competition; 6–8 oz+ for training) when you must punch and grapple in the same round. Always follow your gym policy and your athletic commission’s rules for sanctioned bouts.
What’s the real difference?
- Padding & weight: Boxing gloves are measured in ounces (oz). More oz = more padding around knuckles and wrist for repetitive striking. Popular training sizes: 12/14/16 oz.
- Finger design: MMA gloves are open-finger for grips, underhooks, and submissions—typically 4–6 oz in competition and thicker for training.
- Wrist support: Boxing gloves use longer cuffs and wrap-around padding; MMA gloves keep cuffs shorter for dexterity.
Size & Use Guide (Boxing)
| Glove | Common Use | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 10 oz | Pad/bag; some competition | Lighter strike feel; not ideal for hard sparring. |
| 12 oz | All-round training | Good for pad/bag; light partner drills. |
| 14 oz | All-round + partner work | More hand/wrist protection. |
| 16 oz | Sparring standard in many gyms | Heavier padding to protect partners. |
MMA glove types (what to buy)
- Competition (4–6 oz): Fight gloves only—minimal padding, maximum dexterity.
- Training/Sparring (6–8 oz or more): Extra padding for drills that mix striking and grappling.
- Hybrid grappling gloves: More padding than comp gloves but keep finger freedom.
Protection & performance: Which is safer on the bag?
Repeated bagwork with thin (4–6 oz) MMA gloves can stress the metacarpals and wrist. Most coaches prefer boxing-style bag gloves (12–16 oz) for volume bag rounds; use 4–6 oz MMA gloves for technique and fight-specific scenarios.
Decision flow — what should you get?
- Pure boxing: 14 oz (general training) + 16 oz (sparring).
- Pure MMA: 6–8 oz training pair + 4–6 oz competition pair (as permitted).
- Hybrid training: One 14–16 oz boxing glove for bag/sparring plus one 6–8 oz MMA glove for clinch/grappling rounds.
FAQs
Can I spar in 12 oz boxing gloves?
Gym policies vary; 16 oz is a common standard for full sparring to reduce head/hand injury risk.
What oz are MMA fight gloves?
Most promotions specify gloves in the 4–6 oz range for competition. Always check your bout agreement and commission rules.
