An MMA fighter owns roughly a dozen different pieces of gear depending on whether the session is training, sparring or competition. This guide goes through every item, from gloves to gym bag, with links to the site’s brand rankings for each category.
None of this gear is interchangeable between stages of a fighter’s career. A beginner usually buys the baseline protective pieces first, gloves, wraps and a mouthguard, then adds shin guards and headgear once sparring becomes part of the weekly schedule. Competition brings its own separate set of rules, since several items worn every day in the gym, headgear and shin guards among them, are banned from the cage entirely.
Gloves, from the gym to the cage
A fighter actually owns several pairs of gloves. For training and sparring, standard MMA gloves usually weigh between 5 and 7 ounces and cover part of the wrist and the back of the hand. In competition, the Unified Rules of MMA require open-fingered gloves that are lighter and leave the fingers free for grappling and takedowns, unlike closed boxing gloves.
In the UFC, fighters do not pick their own cage gloves: since 2024, every athlete wears the same model, the UFC Authentic Fight Glove, made by equipment manufacturer Dyaco. Outside the cage, Venum has been the UFC’s official outfitting and apparel partner for several years, a deal extended through 2029, which is why its branding shows up on the shorts and walkout gear of a large share of the roster.
For training, see the 4oz MMA fight gloves ranking and the MMA training gloves ranking by brand.
See price on AmazonGlove care matters as much as the purchase itself. Letting gloves air out between sessions and wiping the inside lining after sparring extends their life and keeps the padding from breaking down early, which is why most fighters rotate between at least two pairs rather than running a single set into the ground.
Hand wraps, under the gloves
Hand wraps protect the metacarpals and stabilize the wrist under the glove. They come in several lengths, from short MMA wraps to the longer Mexican-style wraps used in boxing. Fighters keep several pairs on hand, since cotton wears out fast under daily training.
The hand wraps and inner gloves ranking compares models by brand.
See price on AmazonMouthguard, mandatory in every fight
No commission allows a fight or a hard sparring session without a mouthguard. Entry-level models soften in hot water and mold to the fighter’s bite (boil and bite). Higher-level fighters usually move to a custom model made by a dentist once the sport becomes a regular practice, for a better fit and easier breathing during a fight.
The MMA mouthguard ranking breaks down the models by brand.
See price on AmazonGroin guard, non-negotiable
A groin guard protects against strikes and accidental knees in both standing exchanges and on the ground. Recent MMA models pair a rigid cup with foam padding that absorbs impact without limiting the hip movement needed for takedowns and guard work.
The MMA groin guards ranking compares models by brand.
Metal Boxe is not sold on Amazon: see the official page.
Shin guards, for sparring
Shin guards are not worn in professional competition, where shins are bare, but they are standard for sparring and in most gyms for contact training. A good pair covers the shin up past the ankle while leaving the knee joint free to move.
The MMA shin guards ranking and our 5 best shin guards for sparring pick cover the available models.
See price on AmazonHeadgear, for training only
Unlike amateur boxing, professional MMA is always fought bare-headed, including in women’s fights. Headgear is still common equipment for hard sparring, to limit cuts and repeated head impact during training.
The MMA headgear ranking compares models by brand.
See price on AmazonShorts, rash guard or gi, depending on the discipline
MMA shorts, cut loose with side slits, work for both striking and grappling. For ground work, a compression rash guard prevents mat burn and skin infections, while spats replace shorts for fighters who favor closed guard positions. For Brazilian jiu-jitsu training in a gi, the kimono, made of reinforced woven cotton, is what the grips are built around.
The MMA shorts ranking, rash guards ranking and spats ranking cover the models by brand.
See price on AmazonGym bag, to carry it all
A dedicated combat sports gym bag usually separates a ventilated compartment for wet gloves and pads from a regular compartment for everything else. It is often the last purchase a beginner makes, once the core protective gear is in place.
The boxing and MMA gym bags ranking compares models by brand.
See price on AmazonNassourdine Imavov, currently preparing for his expected rematch with Sean Strickland, illustrates that progression: a professional fighter keeps the same baseline of protective gear as a beginner, then adds custom pieces, a dental mouthguard and cage gloves, once competing at the highest level. More on his preparation.
Find every guide and ranking on the MMA equipment hub page.
How much do MMA competition gloves weigh?
The Unified Rules of MMA require open-fingered, lightweight gloves that leave the fingers free for grappling. Training gloves, which carry more padding, usually weigh between 5 and 7 ounces, to better absorb repeated strikes during sparring.
Is headgear worn in professional MMA?
No, professional MMA is fought bare-headed. Headgear is reserved for training and sparring, where it limits cuts and repeated head impact.
Do you need a gi to start MMA?
Not to start MMA itself, which is trained in shorts and a rash guard. A gi is only needed for Brazilian jiu-jitsu sessions in a kimono, often offered as a complementary class at MMA gyms.
