Discover the best Fairtex MMA gloves for 2026 training and sparring—handcrafted in Thailand for superior knuckle protection, wrist stability, and grappling mobility. The FGV17 Super Sparring Gloves (Editor's Choice, $56.25,...
If you are mixing hard sparring rounds with takedowns, you need MMA gloves that protect your hands, your partners, and still let you grab, clinch, and finish. Pick wrong and you end up with bruised knuckles, jammed fingers, or a glove that feels great for pads but terrible on the mat. This selection features handcrafted equipment from Fairtex's collection, evaluated on protection, build quality, and performance. Every model here is a Fairtex MMA glove used daily in real gyms, from pro fight camps to beginner classes. You can explore the full Fairtex MMA gloves collection if you want to compare more designs and colorways.
| Product | Material | Best For | Sizes | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FGV17 Super Sparring Gloves | Genuine leather | General MMA sparring & beginners | S, M, L, XL | 9.4/10 (Editor's Choice) |
| FGV18 Super Sparring Grappling Gloves | Microfiber | Heavy strikers & hard sparring | S, M, L, XL | 9.2/10 |
| FGV15 Sparring Gloves – Double Wrist Wrap Closure | Genuine leather | Value sparring glove, wrist support | S, M, L, XL | 9.0/10 |
| FGV12 Ultimate Combat Gloves with "Open Thumb Loop" | Genuine leather | Bag work, pad rounds & clinch drilling | S, M, L, XL | 8.8/10 |
| ONE X Fairtex FGV12 Grappling Gloves | Genuine leather | Competition-style grappling & drilling | S, M, L, XL | 9.1/10 |
Best for: Safe all-round MMA sparring with a boxing-glove feel
Price: $56.25
Material: Genuine Leather
Sizes: S, M, L, XL
Category: MMA Gloves
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FGV17 Super Sparring Gloves are the closest thing to a boxing glove you can wear in MMA sparring without losing grappling function. The closed-thumb design and thicker knuckle padding dramatically cut down on cuts and bruising, which matters if you are sparring multiple times a week or preparing for a fight. The curved shape lets you clamp a grip or pummel for underhooks, yet the striking surface is wide and forgiving for your partners. Genuine leather construction and a secure Velcro wrist mean these hold up to years of hard rounds. On our scorecard they blend best-in-list protection with proven build quality and versatile use for beginners through pro fighters.
Choose the FGV17 if you want one pair of Fairtex MMA gloves to handle most of your sparring. They are especially good if you come from a striking background and want boxing-level protection while you learn takedown entries, wall work, and basic jiu-jitsu. If you are doing glove-only grappling or competition simulations in 4 oz gloves, you may prefer a slimmer model like the ONE X Fairtex FGV12.
Rating: 9.4/10
Bottom Line: The safest, most forgiving Fairtex MMA glove for hard sparring. Ideal daily driver for mixed striking and clinch work.
Best for: Big punchers who still need to grapple in sparring
Price: $66.75
Material: Microfiber
Sizes: S, M, L, XL
Category: MMA Gloves
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FGV18 Super Sparring Grappling Gloves were custom-designed for Alistair Overeem, which tells you exactly who they suit: heavier strikers who hit hard and still need to clinch and grapple. The microfiber shell is light and very tough, and the extra knuckle padding provides more protection than most open-palm MMA gloves. The tight-fit profile keeps the glove locked onto your hand so it does not twist on impact, and it still leaves your palm and fingers free enough to shoot underhooks or lock up submissions. If you are the heaviest hitter in the room, these are built with you and your training partners in mind.
Go for the FGV18 if you are a strong striker, a heavyweight, or a coach working with powerful athletes who routinely spar hard. They act like a padded shield over your knuckles while still letting you wrestle and finish. For lighter or newer fighters, the bulk might be more than you really need; the FGV17 or FGV15 will often be more comfortable.
Rating: 9.2/10
Bottom Line: A sparring-focused MMA glove with serious knuckle padding and a tight fit. Ideal for heavy hitters balancing striking and grappling.
Best for: Value-conscious fighters who want strong wrist support
Price: $56.25
Material: Genuine Leather
Sizes: S, M, L, XL
Category: MMA Gloves
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The FGV15 is the workhorse glove in Fairtex's MMA range. Genuine leather, an open palm, and a double wrist-wrap closure give you reliable protection at a price that still makes sense for beginners and regular gym use. The extra knuckle padding softens impact nicely for technical sparring, and the ergonomic shape helps your fist close naturally without fighting the glove. The standout feature is the double wrist wrap: it gives a more locked-in wrist than many MMA designs, which is valuable if you have past wrist issues or throw a lot of looping shots.
Pick the FGV15 if you want the best balance of value, wrist support, and all-round performance. It suits beginners who are learning both striking and grappling, and intermediate fighters who do mostly moderate-intensity sparring. If your gym culture is very light, you could go thinner; if it leans to hard-body rounds, FGV17 or FGV18 provide a little more insurance.
Rating: 9.0/10
Bottom Line: A tough, honest MMA sparring glove with standout wrist support and solid padding. Great value for regular training.
Best for: Striking-heavy MMA training, clinch, and pad work
Price: $56.25
Material: Genuine Leather
Sizes: S, M, L, XL
Category: MMA Gloves
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FGV12 Ultimate Combat Gloves use Fairtex's patented open-palm design with split knuckles and an open-thumb loop. That layout lets your hand move freely in clinch positions, on the ground, and when fighting for small grips like wrist controls or lapels in cross-training. The three-layered foam core still gives proper knuckle protection for bag and pad rounds, and genuine leather construction means these will last. Compared to the FGV17 or FGV18, they feel closer to a traditional fight glove and give you more feedback on impact, which many advanced fighters prefer for timing and distance work.
Choose the FGV12 Ultimate Combat Gloves if you already have a solid striking base and want a glove that feels close to competition gear while still being robust enough for regular training. They are excellent for pad rounds, bag work, and controlled MMA sparring where both athletes are technical and disciplined. For first-time MMA students, the safer choice remains FGV17 or FGV15.
Rating: 8.8/10
Bottom Line: A technical glove that lets your hand move and grip naturally while still protecting your knuckles. Best in skilled, striking-focused MMA sessions.
Best for: Competition-style grappling and fight simulations
Price: $50.96
Material: Genuine Leather
Sizes: S, M, L, XL
Category: MMA Gloves
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These ONE Championship-branded grappling gloves take the core idea of the FGV12 and fine-tune it for grappling-heavy MMA and competition prep. The independent finger system and pre-curved padding save your hand from constantly fighting the glove to make a fist, which reduces grip fatigue over long rounds. The contoured tight-fit compartment locks the glove in place, so you can shoot, sprawl, and scramble without it shifting. Genuine leather makes them tough enough for daily drilling and light sparring. If you want to feel close to what you will wear in the cage, this is the Fairtex model that mirrors that experience best.
Go with the ONE X Fairtex FGV12 if your focus is competition, grappling, or realistic MMA drilling rather than high-impact stand-up sparring. They suit advanced students, amateur and pro fighters, and anyone running fight simulations or cage-specific sessions. If you only spar a couple of times per week and want more padding for partners, FGV17 or FGV18 provide a safer surface.
Rating: 9.1/10
Bottom Line: A competition-style MMA glove that excels in grappling, scrambles, and fight-prep drilling. Best suited to experienced practitioners and coaches.
Start by being honest about how you actually train. If your rounds are mostly stand-up with light clinch, a more padded sparring glove like the FGV17 or FGV18 will protect both you and your partners. If your gym runs a lot of wrestling, wall work, and positional sparring, slimmer open-palm models such as the FGV12 or ONE X Fairtex FGV12 keep your grips sharp. For beginners who hit harder than they can control, favor protection first. For fighters in camp, you may want two pairs: a softer “gym” glove and a leaner “fight-feel” glove. Browsing the full MMA gloves collection helps you match glove type to how your classes are structured.
Fairtex uses genuine leather and high-grade microfiber across its MMA range. Genuine leather, found on FGV15, FGV17, FGV12, and ONE X Fairtex FGV12, offers a traditional feel that breaks in over time and, with basic care, lasts for years. Microfiber, used on FGV18 and some other Fairtex gloves, is lighter, more resistant to moisture, and easier to clean, which is attractive if you train daily or live in a humid climate. For most fighters, material choice comes down to maintenance preference: choose leather if you enjoy conditioning gear, microfiber if you want “wipe and go.” Both deliver high protection when combined with Fairtex foam systems.
MMA gloves are usually sized S to XL rather than by ounces. Your hand circumference and whether you wrap your hands will determine the best fit. A proper Fairtex fit should feel snug around the knuckles and wrist without numbness or tingling when you make a fist. If you use thicker hand wraps or have wider hands, you may prefer going up one size, especially in tight-fit models. For smaller hands or those coming from boxing gloves, expect MMA gloves to feel more compact and direct. When in doubt, a snug fit is safer than a loose glove that can twist on impact. You can rotate between MMA gloves and regular boxing gloves depending on the session.
All the gloves in this roundup sit in a performance range, not disposable-budget gear. Genuine leather models like FGV15 and FGV17 offer excellent value because they can comfortably last years with regular care. Microfiber options like FGV18 trade a slight premium price for easier maintenance and odor resistance. Think about cost over the glove’s life rather than the sticker alone. If you train two to three times per week, paying a bit more for durable stitching, layered padding, and a proven brand generally saves money compared with replacing cheap gloves frequently. You can also look at bundle options like the MMA or Muay Thai starter packs on the Muay Thai equipment page if you need shin guards and other gear too.
Good care keeps padding consistent and the glove hygienic. Open the wrist fully after each session and let the gloves air-dry out of direct sun. Wipe the exterior with a damp cloth; for leather, use a light conditioner occasionally to keep it supple. Microfiber gloves such as the FGV18 generally only need wiping. Using quality hand wraps from the hand wraps collection protects the interior lining from sweat. Avoid leaving gloves in a closed gym bag overnight; that is how foam breaks down and odor sets in. With a simple routine, a well-built Fairtex MMA glove should keep its shape and protection profile far longer than discount alternatives.
For most beginners, a padded sparring-style glove is safest. The Fairtex FGV17 Super Sparring Gloves and FGV15 Sparring Gloves offer thicker knuckle padding and better wrist support than competition-style designs. They feel closer to small boxing gloves, which helps new students focus on stance, defense, and basic grappling without worrying about hand injuries or cutting partners.
Fairtex MMA gloves come in S, M, L, and XL. If your hand circumference is small and you rarely use thick wraps, start with S; average male hands usually fit M or L; larger or heavily wrapped hands often need XL. The glove should feel snug but not numb when you make a full fist. If you are between sizes in tight-fit models, going one size up is usually more comfortable.
Both materials work well when constructed properly. Genuine leather has a traditional feel, molds to your hand over time, and can last many years with conditioning. Microfiber, used on models like the FGV18, is lighter, more moisture resistant, and easier to clean, which helps odor control. The right choice depends more on your maintenance habits and how often you train than on performance alone.
There is no strict time limit; replace gloves when the padding noticeably compresses, the glove twists on impact, or the liner breaks down. For most active amateurs training two to three times weekly, a quality pair of Fairtex gloves can last several years if dried properly after each session. Heavy daily use or leaving gloves damp in a bag will shorten that lifespan.
Always remove your gloves from your gym bag when you get home. Open the wrist fully and let them air-dry in a cool, ventilated place. Wipe sweat off the surface and inside with a dry cloth; leather can be conditioned lightly occasionally. Train with clean hand wraps each session. Simple habits like these greatly reduce odor and keep padding from breaking down prematurely.
For regular sparring, yes. More knuckle padding spreads impact, protects your hands, and greatly reduces superficial damage to training partners. Models like the FGV17 and FGV18 are designed around that idea. You can always switch to thinner competition-style gloves such as the ONE X Fairtex FGV12 for specific fight-prep rounds, but your everyday glove should usually lean toward more protection, not less.
Selection focused only on Fairtex MMA gloves so comparisons stay consistent across padding systems, sizing, and quality control. I looked at how each model performs in real-world scenarios: pure striking classes, mixed sparring, clinch, takedown work, and grappling drills. Priority went to gloves that protect both the wearer and training partners without making grappling unrealistic. All products are from Fairtex, Thailand's original combat sports brand since 1971. Founded by Philip Wong, each product is handcrafted in Thailand and tested by professional fighters at the Fairtex Training Center.
Evaluation Criteria:
If you want a single, safe choice for MMA sparring and drilling, FGV17 Super Sparring Gloves are the most forgiving option for you and your partners. Heavy punchers or bigger athletes will appreciate the added knuckle shield of FGV18, while value-focused students with wrist issues should look closely at FGV15. Technicians who prioritize realistic grappling and competition feel can rotate between FGV12 and the ONE X Fairtex FGV12. Explore Fairtex's complete collection of combat sports equipment, handcrafted in Thailand for fighters who demand professional quality, starting with the dedicated MMA gloves collection.
Last updated: January 2026
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