UFC 302 marked another step in the promotion’s innovative path as it introduced brand-new gloves for its fighters. The new gloves are lighter than the previous design and are aimed at reducing the number of eye pokes and hand injuries. However, there was skepticism among fighters as Islam Makhachev and Dustin Poirier offered differing views. There was also immediate concern over the lack of KOs in the first month of the new gloves being used, which Dana White later brushed aside. But new statistics show that there is real cause for concern.

When the new fight gloves were made available, it was supposed to be the next evolution of the sport. The gloves named the 3Eight and 5Eight have a slimmer profile and have added protection in key areas around the knuckles to help prevent the breaking of hands. But this change has affected one of the UFC’s biggest driving points- KOs or the lack of them!

Dana White and the UFC put on notice a worrying trend with new gloves brought to light  

UFC has only grown in stature ever since it merged with pro wrestling powerhouse WWE under the TKO Group Holdings umbrella on September 12, 2023. According to a report released earlier this year, the UFC experienced a financial boom in last year, earning a staggering $1.3 billion.

However, a recent troubling trend could tie the introduction of new gloves to the reduced number of KOs and an increased number of decisions inside the UFC octagon. The date of the last four months, since the gloves were first put to use, was shared by Hayden Iverson and according to it, the new UFC gloves have “ruined knockouts.”

In a thread on X, Iverson revealed, “Over the last 3 years, the knockout to decision rate has been fairly consistent:  2023: 48.7% Dec, 31.4% KO, 2022: 46.6% Dec, 33.6% KO, 2021: 51.2% Dec, 33.9% KO. Highlighting the contrast, it was further added, “Since switching to the new gloves on UFC 302 (June of 2024) we’ve seen a significant increase in decisions and decrease in knockouts. Since May 2024: 60.3% Dec   22.9% KO.”

It also pointed to the fact that earlier this year the ratio was consistent with the last three years with the period from January to May, with old gloves seeing 51.6% decisions and 32.4% KOs. Now how does a reduction in KOs affect the UFC? For a sport that thrives on high-intensity finishes, this shift is significant.

Fans of the sport are more inclined towards the thrill and excitement of a KO featuring two fighters. Fights going to decision are often seen as less exciting compared to those that end with one fighter knocking out the other. While short term it may not have a detrimental effect, if this trend continues, it won’t be entirely difficult to imagine its impact on the business. Fights with the most outcomes are determined by decision, which could lead to decreased PPV and viewership numbers, and even hinder ticket sales.

The UFC’s remarkable growth in 2023 was fueled by live events, lucrative sponsorships, and media rights deals. Ticket sales soared, and cities scrambled to host the biggest shows, all leading to a 34% rise in event revenue. Anheuser-Busch came on board as the official beer partner, while media rights accounted for $870.6 million, the UFC’s largest source of income. UFC also has a  $1.5 billion media rights deal with ESPN, which is scheduled to end in 2025.

Yet, there remains a possibility that if the product becomes less appealing to combat fans, these lucrative numbers can take a hit. In the X thread, it was added, “To summarize: since switching to the new gloves, UFC fights have seen an 11.5 % increase in fights going to decision compared to the prior 3 year average, and a 10% decrease in fights ending by knockout compared to the prior 3 year average.”

When the introduction of the new gloves first came to light, Dustin Poirier was one of those fighters who pointed out its positives. He said, “I think they’re more comfortable, it’s easier to make a fist. I do think there might be more cuts because the padding isn’t as dense. I feel like the knuckles are gonna pierce through that padding. But I like the new ones better. I think they’re better for me.” The gloves do have fewer seams on the outside to minimize the possibility of abrasions and cuts and according to the UFC, the new foam padding is added to provide maximum flexibility and impact-absorbing protection. However, Islam Makhachev wasn’t impressed.

The Dagestani fighter mentioned, “Honestly I don’t like too much because they become very old after I use them in two weeks. They feel a bit harder, but almost the same. But when you try to open your fingers it’s a little difficult. They keep your fingers closed a bit.”

Still, it may not be right to draw conclusions after just a few months of the new gloves being put to use. Moreover, it is also possible that fighters are finding it hard to land a finishing blow at the highest level of the sport. The thread does mention that the sample size is small but adds, “When you compare the 179 fights with the new gloves to the 207 fights with the old gloves in 2024 you can still see a 9% increase in Decisions and 10% decrease in knockouts.”

This might not seem like a disaster at first glance, but knockouts bring the spectacle, viral clips, and jaw-dropping moments that draw in casual fans. If fights go to a decision more often, the UFC risks losing its edge and, more importantly, its audience. In fact, even UFC boss Dana White noticed the worrying trend, leaving him scratching his head.

UFC boss confessed his doubts about new gloves   

It’s hard to imagine UFC without its iconic knockouts. The thrill of a fighter being taken down with one punch is what keeps fans on the edge of their seats. But as the data shared by X indicated, there’s been a noticeable drop in these iconic moments. At the UFC 303 post-fight press conference nearly one month after the gloves debuted on June 1, Dana White revealed that he and UFC executive Hunter Campbell had their own doubts.

The UFC boss confessed, “Let me tell you what me and (Hunter Campbell) were looking at each other like, ‘are these gloves f— up?’ Believe me, we were saying the same thing.”

But then came a glimmer of hope. During UFC 303, fans witnessed a night filled with brutal finishes. One of the highlights was Alex Pereira’s knockdown of Jiri Prochazka. White recalled looking at Campbell after the fight and questioning if the gloves were really at fault. Campbell’s response? “I looked at him and said, ‘I guess it ain’t the gloves.’ And he goes, ‘I don’t think it matters what he’s f— wearing.”

So, is it the gloves, or just a coincidence? That’s the million-dollar question. Ultimately, the new gloves might seem like a small change, but in a sport built on explosive moments, even the smallest blunder can end up being costly. Will the UFC and Dana White pay heed to the data and make a change? Or will the new gloves change the dynamic of the sport completely? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!