MMA Mats: What Materials Are Mixed Martial Arts Mats Made Of?

Mixed Martial Arts, or MMA, is a thrilling and exciting full-contact sport that combines skills and techniques from various combat disciplines. From striking and grappling to kicks and twists, numerous safety precautions must be taken to minimize the potential for serious injury. MMA mats are in place to provide a layer of safety and protection on the floor where the athletes perform. MMA mat materials often include various types of foam, and the mats feature numerous qualities to create reliable footing. There are different types of mats for different practices, and the best mats will be those designed for specific disciplines.

What Are Common MMA Mat Materials?

As you shop for mats, you’ll find that there are three main types of MMA materials:

• EVA foam, or ethylene vinyl acetate foam, is a closed-cell foam that won’t absorb moisture. This foam is known for being flexible and shock-absorbent, but is also lightweight and durable.


• XPE foam, or cross-linked polyethylene foam, has excellent shock absorption properties. This foam is ideal for athletic uses and is available in numerous densities. The closed-cell foam won’t absorb moisture and is resistant to chemicals, too.


• PU sponge, or polyurethane foam, is a synthetic foam that offers excellent cushioning properties. It has insulation and soundproofing properties, too, and is a popular choice for athletic mats.

Puzzle Mats

Puzzle Mats are among the best options in terms of inexpensive MMA mats. From cheap, at-home and other discount options to professional quality options, there are puzzle mats designed specifically for almost any use and MMA discipline. They are made of a material called EVA foam, which stands for Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate. It’s a closed-cell foam with elastic properties that gives these mats a rubbery softness and flexibility.

Home BJJ Mats - 1 ½ inches thick

The Home BJJ Mats feature a firm surface to support stand-up mixed martial arts. Their no-burn tatami surface helps protect athletes, and the mats are double-sided so you can maximize their lifespan.

Grappling MMA Mats - 1 ½ inches thick

The Grappling MMA Mats feature a four-foot fall height rating for athlete protection. Their firm surface supports quick movements, and the tatami texture helps prevent skin burns. The mats are crafted of waterproof foam, and they’re reversible for maximum durability.

Pro Taekwondo Martial Arts Mats - 20 mm thick

The Pro Taekwondo Martial Arts Mats are tournament-quality mats with a firm surface. Their cushioned design offers protection against falls, and the mats resist scuffs from boots and shoes. These mats are reversible and include border edges for a clean, finished installation.

Martial Arts Karate Mats Premium - 1 inch thick

The Martial Arts Karate Mats Premium are quality mats crafted from high-density foam to support quick movement. The texture is durable enough to accommodate shoes, and the tiles are waterproof for durability and easy cleaning. They’re available in multiple eye-catching colors.

Jiu Jitsu Mats Interlocking - 1 ¼ inches thick

The Jiu Jitsu Mats Interlocking are cushioned to support both ground work and grappling, and their tatami surface texture helps prevent skin burns. The mats are water-resistant, and their reversible design helps maximize the mats’ lifespan.

Roll Out Mats

Many MMA facilities enjoy the convenience of a roll out mat, as they are easy to roll out when needed and can roll up when done. These MMA mats are made with 1-¼ to 2 inch cross linked polyethylene foam. Polyethylene is a durable, lightweight, closed-cell material that is resistant to chemicals and moisture. They also feature flame bonded foam to vinyl, with the top vinyl material designed for years of professional use.


The mat’s surfaces are smooth or tatami. Smooth is an excellent choice to prevent burns and provide ease of movement. These mats are suitable for use with shoes or boots and are durable enough for any MMA or grappling activity, such as BJJ, Judo, Jiu Jitsu and even hapkido or aikido. The full size roll out mats are 6 feet wide and can be cut to custom lengths.

Roll Out Wrestling MMA Mats - 1 ¼ inches thick

The Roll Out Wrestling Mats are crafted from polyethylene foam for maximum shock absorption. They feature a vinyl surface to resist slipping, and that surface is flame bonded to the foam. The mats feature built-in antimicrobials for a more hygienic, safer environment, and they can be easily connected together for a larger space.

Home Martial Arts Flexi-Roll Mat Tatami Surface - 1 ¼ inches thick

The Home Martial Arts Flexi-Roll Mat is crafted with cross-linked polyethylene foam for maximum shock absorption while keeping the mat lightweight. The tatami surface features extra grip and is slip-resistant, giving athletes a base for standup arts. The mat is easy to unroll and install, and it’s free of lead, BPA, and phthalates for safety.

Folding Gym Mats

Gym mats work well for training in a home gym or professional studio, and are made with an XPE high rebond foam core. Some also have a layer of an open-cell type of polyurethane foam that offers excellent compressibility, cushioning, and energy absorption. Gym mats feature a durable vinyl cover as well as hook and loop connectors on all 2 or 4 sides. In most cases for MMA, you’ll want the connectors on all four sides to create a properly-sized ring.


They are lead free and feature 6P compliant vinyl material.. They fold up nicely so they can be easily transported, and they are light enough to easily maneuver. They work great as MMA mats, because a 5x10 mat provides 50 square feet of coverage area. Two mats connected side by side provide for ample space for practicing throws and other fight moves, making them ideal mixed martial arts flooring.

Gym Mats - 2 inches thick

The Gym Mats offer the cushion needed for takedowns and tumbles. These mats feature a durable 18-ounce vinyl cover that can withstand plenty of use, while double stitched seams make the mats extra durable. They can be easily connected together for greater coverage, and while the mats offer plenty of cushion and shock absorption, they’re lightweight and easy to fold up and store.

Folding Panel Mats - 2 inches thick

The Folding Panel Mats offer excellent cushion to help maximize athlete safety. Their 6x12-foot size provides plenty of coverage, and you can also connect multiple mats together with the hook and loop fasteners, which are on all four sides. The durable 18-ounce vinyl coated cover means the mats can withstand plenty of use, and their accordion fold design makes them a versatile choice for training while minimizing the space needed for storage.

Landing Gym Mats

When you need maximum shock absorption to keep MMA athletes safe, landing gym mats are an excellent choice. These mats are much thicker than other MMA mats, and they offer enhanced cushion to help take the sting out of hard falls, flips, and tumbles. Also known as crash mats, landing gym mats can help maximize safety during training, especially when athletes are learning new skills.

Safety Landing Mat Non-Folding - 4 inches thick

The Safety Landing Mat Non-Folding is crafted from polyurethane foam to maximize shock absorption. Measuring 5x10 feet, the mat provides plenty of space for athletes to tumble and land. An 18.5-ounce vinyl cover adds durability, and the mat can help prevent injuries as athletes comfortably practice new skills.

Why You Should Buy MMA Mats from Greatmats

When practicing mixed martial arts disciplines, training, and strengthening exercises all play an important role in the participant’s success. Along with those things comes the potential of injury and body stress, as well as fear and lack of confidence. A main factor that may truly make or break one’s ability to grow and advance in their practice is the quality of the martial arts mat they are working on.


Athlete safety hinges on choosing quality flooring with the right MMA mat materials, and you’ll find an excellent selection at Greatmats. Not only is the padding important, but the thickness, price, ease of use, maintenance, and many other factors come into play. Greatmats has numerous options to suit any budget and material requirements and can work with you to determine the best MMA gym mats to meet your needs.