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Do you have someone in your life who’s taking up MMA as their new hobby? If this is the case, they’ll need as much encouragement as they can get. MMA can be a tough sport and being supportive of them is very important. And what’s a better way to do this than through gifts? There’s a plethora of MMA-related gifts you can buy, clothes, accessories, memorabilia and much more.
A Pair of Gloves
All fighters, especially beginners, require proper equipment to practice and compete in the octagon. If your friend falls into this category, giving them a durable, professional pair of MMA gloves will be the best choice you can make. There are several types of gloves you can choose from depending on what your friend needs.
Just as the name suggests, bag gloves are made for punching a bag. They’re perfect for practice sessions. They’re strong, durable, lightweight and perfect for heavy bags and speed balls alike. They look thin but are well-padded around the knuckles for safety reasons. A lot of fighters use them with hand wraps for a greater level of protection.
Training gloves are also an option. They’re made for focus training. They work well for shadowboxing, sparring, and with heavy bags as well. They don’t have a lot of padding and are very lightweight (around 100g). Their purpose is to improve the fighter’s flexibility and improve their grapple. Both are very important for a win when a fighter is into the octagon.
Sparring gloves are also a choice if your buddy needs to work on their tight-fist punching. They have more padding on the top and front to prevent injuries. Gloves also come in different sizes. There’s something for everyone. From youngsters to experienced adults. If you’re buying online look for a size chart on the site. They have measurements of the hand length and wrist width that will help you choose the right size and fit.
Gloves that are too big or too small can cause injuries or restrict movement, so get as close as you can. These gloves can also have some extra features that include moisture-wicking properties, high-density foam for extra protection, cowhide leather for bigger shock absorption and many more. Choose the ones that your friend needs the most.
Practical Bag
All MMA fighters, including beginners, need to deal with a lot of training gear and accessories. Hand wraps, clothes, towels, water bottles, gloves and other personal belongings are just a few of the things they need to pack. If they don’t have the proper bag, it’ll be hard to pack and move around. This is where you come in with your perfect gift, a practical gear bag.
Look for bags that are specifically designed for MMA gear. Depending on how much gear your friend has, choose the right size. This is an important factor because the items inside shouldn’t be just stuffed and randomly placed. Instead, they should be well-organised and layered.
Look for a bag with several compartments. One with separate spaces for personal items, protective gear, and clothing. External pockets are great for smaller items like phones, wallets and keys. Padded, adjustable straps will make it easier to carry around. When it comes to closures, metal zippers and Velcro closures are most practical and durable.
Material-wise, reinforced nylon is the best option. It’s very durable, and strong and can stand up to a lot of wear and tear. This is a gift you should invest as much as you can. Bags are meant to last for a long time while protecting the MMA gloves and other equipment inside. Plus, your friend deserves only the best for their new hobby.
Fun Gift Basket
Gift baskets are a very fun gift to give. They’re a blank canvas for you to paint. First, start by choosing a nice basket or a sturdy box. Next, buy some healthy goodies your friend will enjoy. Choose some of their favourite guilty pleasures, but stock up on healthy snacks as well. Go to a health food store and buy some non-fat salad dressings, spices, crackers, chips and cheeses.
You can also add some fruits and vegetables, healthy pastas, protein bars, protein powders and everything else you know your friend loves to eat. If you feel that this isn’t enough you can always add things like books, towels, magazines, MMA training gloves, a water bottle etc.
Some Hand Wraps
The hand wraps are an essential part of the fighting gear. They’re made for safety reasons, to protect and support the wrists and knuckles. They resemble tape-fastened strips of cloth. If you choose to buy this gift, go for the best products on the market. Choose a reliable brand that’s been in the business for a long time.
Most wraps are made of cotton or nylon. Sometimes you’ll find a 50-50 blend of both to get the best of both worlds, comfort and durability. Some of them even have a little bit of elastane for more flexibility. The wraps are usually 4m long and have Velcro straps and loops for a comfortable fit.
Comfortable Mats
To make your friend’s practice time even more comfortable, you can gift them some training mats. They’ll provide additional support and cushioning on the floor. They’re usually made of vinyl, rubber or foam and come in different sizes. Some of them have a textured surface to add traction and prevent slips and falls.
Choose mats with good thickness. For the needs of MMA fighters, people normally buy mats with 20-40mm thickness. They should also be durable and take the impact of a lot of throws, punches and takedowns. They also come in many colours. From bright reds and blues to neutral white, black and grey.
MMA-Related Books
This is a sport that has a lot of history, legends and amazing fighters that are appreciated all over the world. It’s filled with lots of good and bad memories, the ups and downs of many fighters and unforgettable moments that will remain in the history books forever. There’s no better way to get familiar with the sport’s history than through books. Some of the most popular ones are:
- Becoming the Natural – Forest Griffin;
- Got Fight? – Forest Griffin;
- The Cauliflower Chronicles – Marshal D. Carper;
- Why I Fight – B. J. Penn;
- Total MMA: Inside Ultimate Fighting – Jonathan Snowden;
- The MMA Encyclopedia – Jonathan Snowden;
- Fighter’s Notebook: A Manual of Mixed Martial Arts – Kirik Jenness;
- Blood in the Cage – L. Jon Wertheim.
