mma without gloves... genuine question

[kiddbjj]

how do you think mma would change if they went back to the no glove format?
how would the striking change?
i think this is an important question for sd outside the gym because obviously nobody walks around with their gloves on.

[Ronson]

I thnk for the most part, nothing would really change in the striking department. The only thing that would suck is the medical suspensions, which would be much, much longer due to all the broken hands sufferred.

[kiddbjj]

right, i knew someone would bring up the broken hands. so do you then think it would alter the methods of striking with the hands, i dont mean after u break your hand but as in how u would change your striking style so as not to injure your hand

[Tom Yum]

I think Pankration is done without gloves. The rules do not allow hitting with closed fists, but it hasn't stopped anyone from throwing a knockout palm heel cross or palm heel hook.

You would probably keep your hands higher up, like a muay thai stance rather than a traditional boxing stance so your forearms could block if necessary.

[OneDragons]

More competitors would probably use open hand, palm heel and bottom fist strikes as well as closed fist strikes. Also grapping would be more important as the closed fist is a central weapon for the striker. A decision would have to be made by each competitor, risk potentially serious hand injury or fight without predominant use of the fist. Some would change others wouldnt.
Either way hand injuries would go up.

[THT]

I think that it would change things (especially making grappling bigger), but that there would still be sucessful strikers. Look at Bas Rutten.

I think having the gloves and allowing the protection for hands definately makes for some pretty sweet slug fests and I like that.

As far as self defense goes, I think it would help to learn some palm strikes etc. Two Saturdays ago I was involved in a small altercation and my hand is still swollen. I don't think anything is fractured (I don't have insurance) but it still is not cool.

[SamuraiGuy]

People always say "when are you going to get attcked with your wraps, or gloves" ... but that actually did happen to me... I was too lazy to take them off after training until I drove home... didnt end up escalating into anything.. but kinda funny im standing there with wraps on... ah well..

[kiddbjj]

i guess this is why styles like the chinese ones use so many variations in hand formation and striking. even in mma now you see a lot of hammer fist type strikes from in the guard because the angles dont always suit jab, cross hook etc. also its easier on the hands

[wardancer]

You guys are missing the point:
bare knuckles create big cuts with lot of blood which is no good for the TV and the sport itself,
MMA gloves do not offer much knuckles 'protection' but avoid the nasty cuts.
It is the same reason why elbows strikes are not 'popular' in Muy thai events outside Thailand!
A big bloody cut is no good for the sport.