What hits harder, a gloved fist or a bare one?

[fitefanSHO]

Or another way to ask the question is, which type of fighter delivers the more damaging blow, a boxer with traditional boxing gloves or a bare knuckle fighter/MMA fighter with very small to no gloves at all?

IMO, gloves protect the puncher, not as much the person being punched.

My contention is that a boxer is able to hit harder because he has the gloves (and the wrap) to protect his hands and can put all his weight and energy into his punches without having to worry (too much) about breaking or hurting his hand, and that an MMA guy with the tiny glove has to take something off his punch and cannot possibly punch as hard with his bare fist as a boxer because of this..AND..I believe that a gloved fist spreads the punch impact over a greater surface area and has a MUCH more concussive effect than a bare/slightly gloved fist. Plus a boxer's only weapon is his fists and boxers have the most highly developed striking/punching in all of combat sports.

I have been hit with both, would take the bare fist any day of the week.

So that is why I think boxers hit harder than anyone in the world, even with the gloves which some people think make the shot less effective and think that being punched with a bare fist is worse, it's not, a gloved fist is.

[jabsRstiff]

A punch with a boxing glove will have more concussive force, while the bare-fisted one will bring about more pain and structural damage to the recipient.

[Barn]

The force difference is minimal, I seen a test thing on Fight Science.

[Forza]

Getting knuckled in the face doesn't feel good

[Banderivets]

Well I know personally that I would never punch as hard with a bare fist or an MMA type glove then I would with a boxing glove.

I tried MMA gloves on a heavy bag once........forget it......I felt that if I would really commit I would bust my hand open.

[fitefanSHO]

You are in a boxing match with a good boxer/puncher.

Do you want him hitting you with boxing gloves on, MMA gloves or with bare fists?

Give me the bare fists...

You are in a cage match with a good MMA striker.

Do you want him hitting you with boxing gloves on, MMA gloves or with bare fists?

uh, bare fists please!

[Forza]

You've never been hit by a boxer obviously

[fitefanSHO]

You've never been hit by a boxer obviously

Have been hit with bare fists and gloved ones.

Prefer bare fists.

Gloves make a good solid punch much worse, IMO.

[jabsRstiff]

Have been hit with bare fists and gloved ones.

Prefer bare fists.

Gloves make a good solid punch much worse, IMO.

One thing....I'd much rather get hit in the body with a gloved fist than a bare fist.

[GoogleMe]

A bare knuckle does way more damage to your face/body than a glove. Force of impact by a knuckle is way harder and more concentrated.