UFC announces a new era in mixed martial art with the return of its reliable and classic gloves. John Gooden, during UFC Las Vegas 102, announced that original gloves, a standard since 1997, would now be used in all UFC bouts.
The decision was made after the controversial but brief introduction of “3Eight/5Eight”, gloves, in April 2024. UFC CEO Dana White praised the design at first, saying, “This will be a true game-changer in the entire sport of MMA.” The gloves are lighter and more flexible, they fit the hands of fighters better, reduce injuries, as well as provide maximum flexibility in fights.
They were meant to become a standard at UFC 301, which took place in June 2024. The transition met with resistance by fighters and was reversed after just eight months.
UFC athletes’ feedback was crucial to the change in gloves. Due to the concerns of fighters, older gloves were introduced ahead of UFC 309 on November 20, 2024. Jon Jones will successfully defend his heavyweight crown against Stipe Mikocic. Jon Jones said that the shape of the glove and the curvature in the hands were uncomfortable. I was actually really stressed thinking, ‘How am I going to go into fight week wearing these gloves that I don’t even really want to train in?'”
Nate Latshaw, a data analyst who specializes in boxing statistics, confirmed the concerns of fighters by showing a decline in the knockout rate and the finish rate when using the new gloves.
Renato Mocano of the Lightweight division, told ESPN that he felt this way when he first received his new gloves. They look and feel cheap to me. “The material wasn’t very good and I didn’t like the style.”
Erin Blanchfield was also critical of the appearance of the new glove. She said, “I didn’t mind the gloves at first, but after seeing them I wasn’t happy with the look.” The colors and design looked tacky. “They looked like they could be bought at a sporting good store.”
UFC has listened to all of the fighters. The organization has reinstituted the original gloves as standard to show its commitment towards athlete comfort and performance. It also shows a respect for the traditions in mixed martial arts. This decision demonstrates the willingness of the promotion to prioritize its fighters’ needs and adapt.