MMA gloves can be found from a number of different manufacturers and are made in different styles, these being divided into the categories of gloves for training and gloves for competition.
The more popular brands include Fairtex, CSI, Hayabusa and Everlast.
MMA Gloves for Training
The gloves you use in day to day training may be heavier (with more padding) for use in sparring or for working on the heavy bag. An advantage of getting used to training with heavier gloves is that when you switch to the lighter competition style gloves, you will find your hand speed increases – which is obviously a big plus. MMA gloves used in training may be 10 or even 16 ounces in weight.
MMA Gloves for Competition
Competition gloves are designed and manufactured to conform to MMA fight regulations, which are in place to ensure the fighters are not injured due to poorly made equipment and that a fighter does not gain advantage over another by having any kind of modified equipment. Competition gloves weigh four to five ounces.
Leather vs Synthetic
Leather MMA gloves will last you longer than the synthetic PU version, and although you will find that they need some “wearing-in” when you first get them they are considered the best choice by most. Synthetic gloves are cheaper but considering that they are likely to need replacing sooner, you are really better off just getting better quality leather gloves in the first place.