Also OP but if your gyms MMA class has people out cold with no headgear on eating elbows during practice I suggest moving gyms. The one I go to we NEVER spar without our headgear on unless we are doing some no-gi grappling practice. Otherwise it is headgear, 12oz gloves, and shin guards and it's striking and the grappling all combined.
Whoever is teaching that MMA class is a fucking asshat.