The ISCF rules allow fighters' wrists to be wrapped and taped, but not the knuckles. I've seen a few pictures of fighters in other MMA promotions where knuckles are wrapped in such a way that they look puffy.

What do you guys think about this? Is it a good idea?

no mma or even boxing commission allows you to tape the knuckles but you can tape up to the knuckles. Usually you layer the gauses just over the knuckle which gives it the puffy appearance. I think wrapping your hands is a good idea to preseve your hands.

This will probably sound weird:

I never wrap my hands - not for MT, boxing, MMA, nothing (actually, sometimes I will wrap at a MT tournament, just to avoid questions, but I absolutely never train with my hands wrapped). The only reason is because for years I trained bare knuckle karate rules (kyokushin style), and they never use them. They train to punch in a way that your first two knuckles are alinged with your forearm, thus nailing your opponent with your much bigger first two knuckles (which are more resistant to breaking) and making the whole more structurally sound. As a comparison, the boxing gym I train at insists that the best way to punch is by keeping your wrist in a "natural" position, and hitting your opponent with the smallest two knuckles (which are more naturally in line with your forearm, but which are also more prone to break). I think, outside the ring, if you hit someone with your small knuckles, your hands are not wrapped, and you don't have gloves on, you are more likely than not to break your "weapons system" with the first punch. Wrapping does help protect and firm up your hand structure, though. For my part, I have never had a problem with not wearing wraps. I don't know that I would suggest this to anyone else (especially any beginners).

Of course, having said that, I'll break BOTH of my hands within the next couple of weeks.....

Does anyone else train differently on punching technique?

until recently - at rules meetings it has always been announced that mma fighters in GA cannot wrap over the knuckles. At the last few shows nothing has been said and I noticed most people wrapping it over the knuckles. Not sure if there was a rule change or not?

According to the ISCF rules, Clothing & Equipment section, it reads:

4. Fighters may tape their wrists but not their hands.

I was told by ISCF officials in GA that the fighters were allowed to wrap UP TO the knuckles but not over or past the knuckles.

I never wrap my hands. I wrap my wrists and that's it.

I am a purist and original NHB rules didn't allow it because it helped preserve the integrity of style vs. style. If you wanted to hit someone, you risked breaking your hands if your technique wasn't perfect.

Currently, most MMA fighters are wrapping their hands almost like boxers. This is why we are seeing more KO victories than in many earlier UFC type events. As the striking game became more prevalent in MMA we have also seen more and more fighter suspensions lately due to broken hands....

Peace-
Cam

I'm pretty sure fighters were allowed to wrap their hands and just chose not to in early nhb days. I recall Tom Ericson even wore some weight lifting type gloves in M.A.R.S.

I know in the early UFCs it was explicitly stated in the rules that no taping of the hands could occur and that they could tape the wrists but nowhere near the knuckles. This was all Rorion as his idea was "if they choose to punch us in the head, they will more than likely break their hands". It worked on Gordeau... he broke his foot and hand but continued anyway.

I had an application for UFC 5 but I sold it along with some other memorabilia to a guy on the UG. It was all covered in that.

The rules also stated explicitly that no gloves were allowed although they allowed Jimmerson to wear his single boxing glove because he argued it was "part of his style" to keep the jabbing glove in his opponent's face in order to set up the big cross.... so they allowed him to wear 1 glove...lol.

They didn't start allowing gloves until around number 10 I think. I have no idea when they started allowing the fighters to tape the hands....

Peace-
Cam

When did they start getting sanctioned by Nevada? I wonder if that has anything to do with it?

Tom Erikson was forbidden to wrap or tape his hands, he wanted to but they wouldnt allow it, he chose to wear these very cheap weight lifting gloves that were not even leather, they might have kept him from getting his hand infected if he hit someone's tooth ala Mark Kerr vs Fabio Gurgel. Thats about the only advantage he had wearing those things.

I have also noticed on TUF that they tape and wrap their hands up pretty good like boxers. I remember Jeff Bedard, and Melvin Guillard both breaking hands with their hands taped up to but not on the knuckles. Seems like it may make that part of the hand weaker if the other is taped but who knows.