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Dana White confirms ‘permanent’ change to how the UFC operates following failed experiment… ‘There were good intentions’

Admin 4 days ago

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Five months after their widely celebrated introduction to the sport, the new UFC fighting gloves are heading into early retirement; with Dana White confirming the move will be made 'permanent' after UFC 309.

The new gloves were intended to reduce eye pokes, but inadvertently resulted in fewer knockouts. Don't expect the old design to return immediately, with Dana White also revealing that the promotion has run out of available pairs.

Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Dana White confirms major UFC U-turn will be made 'permanent' for future events

Earlier this week it made headlines when the UFC confirmed that the old fighting gloves would return for UFC 309, with champion Jon 'Bones' Jones particularly delighted as he claimed the new design made his hands feel tight and restrained.

'Bones' would retain his heavyweight title in the evening's main event with a beautiful spinning back kick to the body, and with the GOAT back in action, so are the old gloves.

At the post-fight press conference, Dana White confirmed that the promotion will switch back to the old gloves for good – once they get some pairs back in stock.

“Yes, it's a permanent move, but the problem is we don't have enough old gloves, so until we get them all done, yeah, that's it.”

The gold color for championship fighting gloves will unfortunately not return, with White stating that while the organization initially had 'good intentions', it just didn't work for their athletes.

“You know what, there were good intentions with the new gloves. We have put a lot of time, energy and money into it. There were good intentions, it didn't work out and it is what it is.”

Data scientist Nate Latshaw recently revealed the results of his research into the impact of the new gloves on UFC fights, with the data suggesting that knockouts had dropped by around 10% since their introduction.

Dana White says the old gloves will be permanent.

About using the new gloves for the upcoming fight nights:

Yes, it's a permanent move, but the problem is we don't have enough old gloves. So until we can get them all done, yeah, that's it. pic.twitter.com/bXXU09hKE3

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A big start to 2025 for the UFC

Just as the main card of UFC 309 kicked off, the UFC prepared to give a first look at the upcoming event schedule for Q1 2025.

During the first three months of the new year, the promotion will host eleven events: three PPVs and eight Fight Nights that will take place on different continents.