The upcoming UFC 302 lightweight title bout between Islam Makhachev and Dustin Poirier will mark the debut of the new UFC Official Fight Gloves in a championship bout. UFC CEO Dana White revealed the revamped design of the official gloves during the UFC 300 fight week and stated, “This redesign will truly be a game changer for the entire sport of MMA. These gloves will feel lighter, fit fighters’ hands better, prevent injuries, and provide maximum flexibility during the fights.”

However, according to Makhachev, the new glove may lead to some unintended consequences for the fighters when they start using the new design in their fights. In a recent interview, the Dagestani lightweight champion highlighted the differences between the new and old designs and claimed that despite the changes made to the gloves, there is still a high likelihood of fighters getting cut more often!

Islam Makhachev raises concerns with the UFC’s redesigned gloves

The UFC and Dana White have faced a lot of demands to adopt a new glove design in the past from various prominent figures in the sport including UFC color commentator, Joe Rogan. In past episodes of his podcast, the JRE (Joe Rogan Experience), Rogan had requested the promotion to adopt a glove designed by renowned MMA Coach Trevor Wittman. Rogan implored, “Somewhere out there in UFC land, listen to me, please, they are the best gloves.”

But while the promotion didn’t go with Wittman’s designs for their new gloves, they did change their old gloves to address some of the issues that fighters had faced like eye pokes and inability to close their fists properly.

Despite all this, there seems to be a new set of problems that may arise with the new gloves according to Islam Makhachev. In a recent video shared on Instagram by Red Corner MMA, the Dagestani champion stated, “They (new gloves) are very stiff, as I told you, they will cause more cuts as the previous UFC gloves were softer.”

According to his statements, the stiffness may be a result of the new gloves not allowing fighters to, “fully open your hand just to make sure the fingers don’t extend straight forward”, but the trade-off may result in more injuries sustained during the fight.

Makhachev’s apprehensions suggest that the redesign, despite its benefits, might bring new challenges, but that doesn’t seem to be the case for Dustin Poirier who put forth a contrasting opinion about the new gloves in an interview with The MMA Hour!

‘The Diamond’ reveals why he prefers the new design

Dustin Poirier, who has also tested the new gloves out, recently expressed his approval of Dana White’s decision to go with the redesign in his appearance on the MMA Hour. ‘The Diamond’ stated, “I like them. They’re a lot easier to make a closed fist.”

He also explained that the old gloves were built flat, which made it difficult to make a fist, causing strain as blood filled the forearm leading to more fatigue. According to him, the new design resolves this issue, allowing for a more natural fist formation.

In conclusion, the new UFC Official Fight Gloves have elicited contrasting opinions from two of the sport’s top fighters. Makhachev’s apprehensions highlight potential drawbacks, such as an increased risk of cuts and injuries due to stiffness. Contrarily, Poirier’s positive feedback underscores the improved fit and comfort, making it easier for fighters to perform without unnecessary strain.

As the fighters step into the Octagon at UFC 302, the effectiveness and impact of these new gloves will be put to the test, offering valuable insights into their real-world performance and shaping the future of MMA equipment. What do you think about the UFC’s new gloves compared to the old ones? Share your thoughts in the comments below!