Short answer. Open-finger MMA sparring gloves pad the knuckles while leaving the fingers free for clinch and grappling. Blitz sells its Raptor as 4oz; IMMAF amateur competition uses issued 6–8oz open-handed gloves, and IMMAF describes 4oz as the professional standard. Blitz sizes by hand circumference (Raptor/Avenger: S/M 20–22.5 cm, L/XL 22.6–24 cm). Use closed 14–16oz boxing gloves for stand-up-only sparring if your gym asks for them.
What MMA sparring gloves are
MMA sparring gloves (also called open-finger or open-palm gloves) pad the knuckles and the back of the hand while leaving the fingers free, usually with finger and thumb loops. That lets you clinch, grip a gi or rashguard, and work takedowns or ground control without taking the gloves off. IMMAF's amateur rules describe competition gloves the same way: open-handed, with finger and thumb loops for grappling and a Velcro wrist strap (IMMAF Rules, equipment section).
| MMA / open-finger | Boxing gloves | Bag gloves | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fingers | Open, with loops | Enclosed fist | Enclosed or mitt-style |
| Grappling / clinch | Yes — fingers free | Poor — fist stays closed | Not designed for it |
| Padding | Light (often about 4–8oz) | Heavier (often 12–16oz for sparring) | Varies; built for the bag |
| Best for | MMA class, cage sparring, clinch and ground | Stand-up boxing rounds, partner safety | Solo bag work |
Boxing and Muay Thai glove shapes are compared in boxing vs Muay Thai gloves. Open-palm point-fighting gloves for kickboxing on a mat are a different product again: see kickboxing sparring gear.
When you need them (and when you don't)
- MMA class, cage sparring, clinch or ground work. Open-finger gloves are what most clubs ask for once striking mixes with grappling. You can hold, underhook and tap without stripping a closed glove.
- Stand-up-only boxing or hard boxing rounds. Closed boxing gloves at a sparring weight (often 14–16oz for adults) put more padding between fists and faces. Many gyms ban light MMA gloves for pure boxing sparring for that reason.
- Bag and pads alone. Bag gloves or a dedicated training pair are kinder to your wrists for long bag rounds; open-finger gloves can work, but they are not built as bag-only tools.
- Competition. Amateur IMMAF events issue their own 6–8oz gloves; you do not bring your gym pair (IMMAF). Professional bouts under many commissions use lighter open-finger gloves around the 4oz class that IMMAF contrasts with its amateur standard (IMMAF).
Weight: 4oz, 6–8oz and gym sparring
Weight on an MMA glove is the weight of the glove, not a bodyweight chart the way boxing ounces often are.
- About 4oz. Blitz sells its Raptor sparring gloves as 4oz (Blitz). IMMAF describes 4oz gloves as the professional standard and contrasts them with its amateur kit (IMMAF, 2017).
- 6–8oz amateur competition. Under IMMAF rules, athletes wear open-handed gloves with protective padding of no less than 6 ounces and no more than 8 ounces, issued by the host authority — athletes may not supply their own (IMMAF Rules Document, Oct 2022; IMMAF Championships equipment list).
- Gym sparring. Clubs often prefer a heavier or more padded open-finger glove than a fight glove for partner safety. Follow the gym's rule; if the club only allows 16oz boxing gloves for stand-up sparring, buy those instead.
Sizing
Blitz sizes its open-finger sparring gloves by hand circumference (measure around the hand as shown on each product's Size Guide). Charts differ by model:
| Blitz model | Size | Hand circumference |
|---|---|---|
| Raptor / Avenger | Small / Medium | 20–22.5 cm |
| Raptor / Avenger | Large / X-Large | 22.6–24 cm |
| Viper | Small | 17.5–19.5 cm |
| Viper | Medium | 19.6–21.5 cm |
| Viper | Large | 21.6–22.5 cm |
| Viper | X-Large | 22.6–23.5 cm |
| Titan Sparring | Small / Medium or Large / X-Large | No cm chart published |
From the Size Guides on the Blitz Raptor, Avenger and Viper pages. The Titan Sparring Gloves page has no centimetre guide; pick S/M or L/XL from the options in stock. Revgear adult MMA gloves are commonly listed XS–XXL — use the size picker on the product page.
UK picks: Blitz
Blitz is a UK martial arts store and one of our partner stores. It sells open-finger sparring gloves under its own name for martial arts training, clinch work and ground transitions. These are club and training gloves, not competition-issued kit: ask your gym what it wants for class and for bouts.
Blitz Raptor Sparring Gloves
Blitz lists the Raptor as a 4oz sparring glove for martial arts training, with an open finger design for striking and grappling.
- Sold as 4oz; 1 inch of high-density foam on the knuckles plus a padded thumb (Blitz)
- Wraparound Velcro wrist strap with three adjustable fastening sections; Nama Hide synthetic leather (Blitz)
- Sized by hand circumference: Small/Medium 20–22.5 cm, Large/X-Large 22.6–24 cm (Blitz Size Guide)
In tonight's Blitz feed, Black Large/X-Large can be out of stock while Blue and Red cover both sizes; check the colour you want on the product page.
Blitz Avenger Sparring Gloves
Lightweight padded gloves Blitz lists for bag work, sparring and semi-professional tournaments, with an open palm for clinching and grappling.
- High-density foam across the knuckles and thumb; ergonomic finger loops (Blitz)
- Open palm for ventilation and a natural grip; dual hook-and-loop wraparound wrist strap (Blitz)
- Same hand-circumference chart as the Raptor: S/M 20–22.5 cm, L/XL 22.6–24 cm (Blitz Size Guide)
Blitz Viper Sparring Gloves
A lighter, more flexible open-finger glove with sectioned EVA padding, aimed at regular training (Blitz).
- Sectioned EVA padding on the back of the hand and thumb; ventilated palm (Blitz)
- Adjustable Velcro wrist strap with a neoprene strap; Nama Hide leather (Blitz)
- Sized by hand circumference: Small 17.5–19.5 cm, Medium 19.6–21.5 cm, Large 21.6–22.5 cm, X-Large 22.6–23.5 cm (Blitz Size Guide)
The Size Guide lists X-Large; tonight's feed has Small, Medium and Large in stock, so check X-Large on the product page before you order.
Blitz Titan Sparring Gloves
Open-palm sparring gloves Blitz lists for sparring, bag work and semi-professional events, with flexibility for striking, clinching and groundwork.
- High-density foam across the knuckles and thumb; open palm for airflow and grip (Blitz)
- Wide wraparound hook-and-loop Velcro wrist strap; Nama Hide leather (Blitz)
- Sold in Small/Medium and Large/X-Large; Blitz publishes no centimetre chart for this model
Tonight only Large/X-Large in Black/Red is in stock in the Blitz feed; Small/Medium and Black/Black are out of stock, so confirm size and colour on the product page.
Blitz Titan Boxing Gloves (10oz)
Closed boxing gloves from the same Titan line, listed for pad work, bag work, sparring and club training — useful if your gym wants a closed fist for stand-up rounds.
- Pre-curved multi-layer foam injection padding; ultra-curved padded thumb (Blitz)
- Breathable cool-mesh lining and a wide hook-and-loop Velcro wrist strap; Nama Hide leather (Blitz)
- Sold in 10oz only in tonight's feed; Blitz notes training weights may vary slightly from the labelled weight
These are boxing gloves, not open-finger MMA gloves. For how closed boxing gloves differ from Thai gloves, see boxing vs Muay Thai gloves.
US picks: Revgear
Revgear, a US store and one of our partner stores, sells open-finger MMA gloves for sparring, bag work and grappling transitions. Check the size options on each product page; Revgear lists adult sizes from XS through XXL on several models.
Revgear Challenger 2 Leather MMA Gloves
Cowhide leather MMA gloves Revgear positions for training and sparring with multi-layer foam over the knuckles, fingers and back of the hand.
- High-grade cowhide leather construction (Revgear)
- Multi-layer foam padding for striking and light grappling (Revgear)
- Sizes XS to XXL (Revgear)
Revgear Deluxe Gel Sparring MMA Gloves
Sparring gloves with gel-infused foam that Revgear lists for mixed striking and grappling sessions.
- Gel-infused foam padding for impact absorption (Revgear)
- Designed for MMA sparring and high-intensity training (Revgear)
- Sizes XS to XXL (Revgear)
Revgear Pinnacle P4 Sparring MMA Gloves
Pinnacle-series MMA gloves with multi-layer foam and an extended hook-and-loop wrist wrap (Revgear).
- Multi-layer foam for sparring, bag work and grappling (Revgear)
- Synthetic (vegan) leather shell; extended hook-and-loop wrist closure (Revgear)
- Sizes S to XXL in more than one colourway (Revgear)
Revgear Premier Deluxe MMA Gloves
Open-palm MMA gloves Revgear lists for striking, grappling and high-intensity sparring.
- Multi-layer foam over the knuckles and wrists; open palm for clinch and airflow (Revgear)
- Synthetic leather with reinforced stitching; extended hook-and-loop wrist wrap (Revgear)
- Adult sizes listed by colourway on the product page (Revgear)
Revgear Pro Series MS1 MMA Training and Sparring Gloves
Full-grain Softech leather MMA sparring gloves with RAM Force padding that Revgear lists for heavy sparring and partner training.
- 100% full-grain Softech cowhide leather (Revgear)
- Multi-layer RAM Force padding across the striking surface and thumb (Revgear)
- Open palm with contoured finger loops; sizes XS to XXL (Revgear)
Revgear Youth Combat Series MMA Gloves
Youth MMA gloves Revgear sizes for growing hands rather than as a scaled-down adult pair.
- Anatomically sized for youth hands and wrists (Revgear)
- Built for striking and grappling in youth MMA classes (Revgear)
- Sizes S to XL in more than one colourway (Revgear)
For closed kids' boxing gloves by age and weight, see kids' boxing gloves.
On Amazon (US)
If you are in the US and want other makes, check that the listing is open-finger (not a closed boxing glove), note the labelled ounce weight, and prefer the brand's storefront or listings sold by Amazon.
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The rest of the kit
Open-finger gloves are only part of safe sparring. Add a mouthguard, and a groin guard when your club asks. Shin guards for MMA are usually a tight slip-on style that still allows grappling; Thai sock guards are covered in best shin guards. For a first striking class that is boxing-only, start with the boxing starter kit; for Thai kickboxing see the Muay Thai starter kit.
FAQ
What are MMA sparring gloves?
Open-finger (open-palm) gloves that pad the knuckles and back of the hand while leaving the fingers free, usually with finger and thumb loops and a Velcro wrist strap, so you can strike and still clinch or grapple.
Can I use boxing gloves for MMA sparring?
For stand-up-only rounds, yes — and many gyms prefer 14–16oz boxing gloves for partner safety. For clinch, takedowns or ground work you need open-finger gloves, because a closed boxing glove blocks gripping.
What ounce MMA gloves should I buy?
Blitz's Raptor is sold as 4oz. IMMAF amateur competition uses issued 6–8oz open-handed gloves; IMMAF describes 4oz as the professional standard. For gym sparring, follow your club's rule rather than fight weight.
How do I size Blitz MMA sparring gloves?
Measure hand circumference. On Blitz's Raptor and Avenger charts, 20–22.5 cm is Small/Medium and 22.6–24 cm is Large/X-Large. The Viper uses Small to X-Large bands from 17.5 cm to 23.5 cm.
Are open-palm kickboxing gloves the same as MMA gloves?
No. WAKO point-fighting gloves are 8oz open-palm gloves for tatami kickboxing; MMA gloves are built for clinch and ground as well as striking. See the kickboxing sparring gear guide for the WAKO kit.
Do kids need special MMA gloves?
Youth models exist. Revgear's Youth Combat Series MMA gloves are sized for growing hands. Closed kids' boxing gloves by age and weight are in the kids' boxing gloves guide.
Should I wrap my hands under MMA gloves?
Many gyms still want wraps or inner gloves under open-finger pairs for wrist support. Use what your coach asks for, and keep wraps short enough that the fingers stay free.
Sources
- IMMAF, Rules Document as of Oct 2022 (equipment: gloves 6–8 oz, open-handed)
- IMMAF, Championships protective equipment (6–8 oz amateur MMA gloves)
- IMMAF, 4oz professional gloves vs IMMAF 6oz amateur standard (2017)
- Blitz, Raptor Sparring Gloves
- Blitz, Avenger Sparring Gloves
- Blitz, Viper Sparring Gloves
- Blitz, Titan Sparring Gloves
- Blitz, Titan Boxing Gloves
- Revgear, Challenger 2 Leather MMA Gloves
- Revgear, Deluxe Gel Sparring MMA Gloves
- Revgear, Pinnacle P4 Sparring MMA Gloves
- Revgear, Premier Deluxe MMA Gloves
- Revgear, Pro Series MS1 MMA Training and Sparring Gloves
- Revgear, Youth Combat Series MMA Gloves
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