Mixed martial arts is an extreme combat sport in which athletes are permitted to use the fighting techniques of wrestling and boxing but also those of numerous martial arts such as kickboxing, judo, karate, Brazilian jiu-jitsu and many more. Typically MMA fighters wear gloves in the cage, but their fingers can get mangled both in training camp and in the actual fight. With all the explosive movements, your fingers are constantly vulnerable. Broken/fractured fingers, ligament tears, finger dislocations and jammed fingers are all common for professional fighters.

Most of the aforementioned finger injuries can often heal without the need for surgery. In some cases, a finger splint or finger brace may be needed to immobilize the area as it heals. For more severe fractures and torn ligaments, surgery may be needed. The problem is, MMA fighters by design are too tough for their own good, so when one of these finger injuries occurs, no matter how severe or painful, they typically put the pain aside and train harder. 

Too stubborn to let a finger injury keep them away form the mat or cage, the easiest solution is to tape their fingers together or buddy tape them, creating a finger splint. We don’t suggest this but there are a few major problems with the finger taping option: The tape seems to always slip off once you get a little sweaty. Taping adds time to prep before training.  But one of the biggest issues with tape is that it limits mobility in your fingers due to the lack of its elasticity. This compromises the agility in the fingers and the ability to make a tight fist. 

The concept of Grappz™ originated from grapplers and fighters who sought a solution to the numerous finger injuries they suffered but without compromising performance and with better efficiency. After all, if we can’t change you, we might as well take steps to innovate and improve so your fingers don’t end up like your ears.  

Wearing these innovative fight gloves is a lot less time consuming and messy than taping your fingers and they’ll never slip off. You get more support and coverage than tape and you retain the full mobility of your fingers. The 4-way stretch fabric has elasticity allowing your fingers to fully retract and extend while still tightly conjoining your fingers together as a splint. When you’re done training throw them in the laundry alongside your rashguard to use for next practice. 

Grappz™ can be used both preventively and post injury but they’re not just for protection. They can improve performance and grip strength from the synergistic force created by two fingers working together. They also support the healing process, helping counteract pain and swelling. As the sport of MMA grows, so will the innovation of safety, Grappz™ is doing its part. Endorsed and worn by Olympic Gold medalist wrestler and WWE Super star, Kurt Angle; he can attest to the quality and functionality of these innovative “MMA Gloves”.  Train safe and check out a pair to help mitigate these common finger injuries in MMA:

- Finger Fracture/ Broken Finger

- Finger Dislocation

- Finger Sprain/Hyperextension 

- Jersey Finger 

- Boutonnière Deformity 

LONG TERM AFFECTS:

Bursitis

Osteo-Arthritis