Looking at both MMA & Thai (or Striking) Shin Guards we have put together this guide to help you decide which kind is best for you.

On our site you will find that we have a selection of both kinds of Shin Guards and they may appear similar on first glance if you are unsure about what to look for.

MMA Shin Guards

The main purpose of MMA Shin Guards is to provide you with protection from strikes as well as staying in place during grappling.

They are lighter in weight than their Thai counterparts, with thiner padding and are usually constructed with a full neoprene backing as shown in the image below.

Their light weight design is to ensure that you are able to move around as much as possible without restriction when engaged in grappling training.

The full neoprene backing acts like a sleeve that hugs your leg, keeping the shin guard from shifting around as much as possible.

Unlike with the straps used on Thai Shin Guards, the smooth neoprene backing will not get caught on your opponent or the mat, reducing the chance of the Shin Guards becoming loose or scraping your training partner.

It is worth checking out the different kinds of MMA Shin Guard that we have on offer, as different models will have varying levels of padding and protection and also may vary slightly when it comes to sizing.

Thai Shin Guards

Thai Shin GuardsAi??(or Striking Shin Guards) are bulkier with thicker padding to provide you with increased protection for more intense striking training.

They are built to withstand the repeated powerful kicks common to Muay Thai and other forms of Martial Arts that incorporate regular kick striking drills.

You will also notice the larger padded area protecting the foot, this is designed to help guard against any stray kicks that hit you in this area.

As there is much less chance of the kind of close contact that you would experience when grappling, the Thai Shin Guard tends to use a strap enclosure system as opposed to the neoprene backing.

Whilst it is still important for these Shin Guards to stay firmly in place, there is less chance of them becoming caught on your opponent or shifting around as they would if you were grappling.

Again, it is worth checking out the different models that we have due to some variations in sizing, padding and enclosure systems.

Sizing

Before purchasing any of the above, be sure to have your tape measure to hand and check out the Size Guides displayed for each product to make sure that you get the right fit for you!

It’s UFC 174 this weekend and Hayabusa will be proudly represented by fighters throughout the fight card on the night.

From the main card, the Belarusian Andrei “Pit Bull” Arlovski will be wearing the Hayabusa Haburi Compression Shorts as he faces up against Brendan “The Hybrid” Schaub.

Arlovski sees a long awaited return to the UFC after 6 years out following a hat trick of consecutive UFC wins back in 2008.

He’s hoping that his dangerous striking game will see him victorious on the night against a re-energised Brendan Schaub who is coming off back of two straight wins.

All competing in the Hayabusa Chikara Recast Performance Shorts, Hayabusa Europe would also like to wish undercard fighters, Yves Jabouin, Jason Saggo, Roland Delorme and Josh Shockley the best of luck in their respective matches on the night.

Wearing the Hayabusa Elevate T and sporting the Hayabusa logo on her shorts, former personal athletic trainer turned UFC fighter, Elizabeth Phillips faces up against fellow UFC debutant Valerie Letourneau.

UFC 174 Demetrious Johnson vs. Ali Bagautinov Preview

14th June (Vancouver, Canada)

We think this fight is going to be a big ask for the Ali Bagautinov. Despite coming off the back of three wins on the bounce, the Dagestan born fighter will do well to cope with explosive speed of the UFC Flyweight Champion, Demetrious Johnson.

If Bagautinov is to defy what we feel is the inevitable it will be important for him to slow “Mighty Mouse” down or engage and get his hands on him at close quarters and using his larger size to bully Johnson.

Easier said than done though, with his combination of speed, range and intelligent footwork, Johnson has many more weapons in his arsenal that should see him victorious on the night.

You can never write off an underdog, but we would be surprised to Bagautinov come out on top in this fight, even with master tactician Greg Jackson calling the shots in his cornerai??i??.

Fighter Stats

Demetrious Johnson

Nickname: Mighty Mouse

Height: 63″
Weight:125lbs

Record: 19-2-1
KO/TKO – 21%
Submission – 37%
Decision – 42%

Ali Bagautinov

Nickname: Puncher

Height: 64″
Weight: 125lbs

Record: 13-2-0
KO/TKO – 38%
Submission – 31%
Decision – 31%

Main card (PPV at 10 p.m. ET)

Demetrious Johnson vs. Ali Bagautinov (Flyweight)

Rory MacDonald vs. Tyron Woodley (Welterweight)

Ryan Bader vs. Rafael CavalcanteAi?? (Light Heavyweight)

Andrei Arlovski vs. Brendan Schaub (Heavyweight)

Ryan Jimmo vs. Ovince St. Preux (Light Heavyweight)

Preliminary Card (FX at 8 p.m. ET)

Daniel Sarafian vs. Kiichi Kunimoto (Welterweight)

Valerie Letourneau vs. Milana Dudieva (Women’s Bantamweight)

Yves Jabouin vs. Mike Easton (Bantamweight)

Kajan Johnson vs. Tae Hyun Bang (Lightweight)

Preliminary Card (UFC Fight Pass at 7 p.m. ET)

Roland Delorme vs. Michinori Tanaka (Bantamweight)

Jason Saggo vs. Josh Shockley (Lighweight)

At MMA Fightwear, we are proud to say that we were the first Official Authorised Hayabusaai??? Distributor for the UK & Europe.

Hayabusaai??? has set the Gold Standard for superior performance apparel and combat equipment and has firmly established itself as the go to brand for those who demand the best.

As the current Official Distributor for Hayabusaai??? we are always the first to stock and sell the latest clothing and equipment from the #1 Trusted Brand in MMA.

Check out our full range of Hayabusa MMA, BJJ, Muay Thai, Boxing Equipment and Casual Apparel here.

Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida made history last weekend by becoming the first ever athlete to win three consecutive BJJ World Titles in a row.

As the Official European Distributor for Hayabusaai???, we are proud that this Hayabusaai??? sponsored champion wrote himself in to the history books with such an amazing achievement.

Wearing the new Hayabusaai??? Goorudo Gold Weave Jiu Jitsu Gi, Almeida defeated Rodolfo Vieira with a points victory to secure his third record making World Title in three years.

Check out Marcus Almeida’s full list of prestigious career honours as well the Team Hayabusa Spotlight exclusive interview featuring the man himself on the latest Hayabusaai??? Europe Blog.

Proudly representing Hayabusa™ wearing the new Blue Goorudo Gold Weave Jiu Jitsu Gi at the recent 2014 World Jiu Jitsu Championships, Marcus ‘Buchecha’ Almeida cemented himself in the history books by becoming the first ever competitor to win back to back World Titles three times in a row.

Putting himself in esteemed company alongside Roger Gracie, Almeida is the only other athlete to have three World Titles to his name and at only 24 years there’s every chance that we may see more records under his name in years to come.

After their last momentous meeting in 2012 at the IBJJF Worlds, Almeida faced and defeated Rodolfo Vieira last weekend with a points victory to secure is World Title hat trick record.

Almeida has an impressive list of accolades to his name already and here at Hayabusa™ Europe we are proud of the fact that arguably his greatest career highlight so far was achieved wearing the new Blue Hayabusa™ Goorudo Gold Weave Jiu Jitsu Gi.

Check out Marcus Almeida’s impressive list of career achievements below:

• ADCC Champion (2013)

• World Champion (2014, 2013, 2012 weight & absolute)

• World Nogi Champion (2011, 2010 weight & absolute)

• Pan American Champion (2012 weight and absolute)

• World Pro Cup Champion – WJJPC (2012, 2013 absolute, 2014 weight & absolute)

• SP Cup Champion (2010 WLPJJ)

• Miami Open Champion (2010 weight & absolute)

• World Silver Medallist (2011)

Teaming up with ‘Buchecha’ proves once again that Hayabusa™ is the choice of champions and from us all at Hayabusa™ Europe we would like to wish him continued success in the future with his already stellar BJJ career.

Mike Pantangco took sportsmanship to a whole new level after deciding to tap-out despite dominating Jeremy Rasner during a fight in the Prison City Fight League in Jackson, Michigan.

In the YouTube footage, which had been seen over four million times since its posting, Pantangco was clearly winning over the taller Rasnerai??i??landing clinical punches, kicks and knee blows.

But rather than inflicting further damage to his opponent, Pantangco tapped out with just seconds left in the opening round.

ai???I just feel like thereai??i??s no point fighting him because he didnai??i??t train against me and I didnai??i??t train for him,ai??? Pantangco told AXS TV, explaining his surprising act of mercy rule.

Rasner was a last-minute replacement after Pantangcoai??i??s original opponent pulled out.

ai???I just feel like weai??i??re amateur fighters,ai??? Pantangco added. ai???We donai??i??t get money, we donai??i??t get paid and I know the only thing that the only thing Iai??i??m going to finish the fight is him to go in the hospital or get hurt. I just feel terrible so Iai??i??m just going to give him the win,ai???

To see the incredible video of Pantangco tapping out click here.

Check out the official Hayabusa Jiu Jitsu Gi Comparison Chart to help you decide which of the new Gis from their latest collection is the right one for you.

Click here to download this chart as a pdf.