In a surprising twist, UFC and Dana White have decided to bring back its old gloves for UFC 309, sidelining the newer, ‘safer’ design that debuted earlier this year. At UFC 302, the new gloves made their first appearance and provided a significant departure from the old design. According to a statement by the UFC boss, “These gloves will feel lighter, fit fighters’ hands better, prevent injuries, and provide maximum flexibility during the fights.”

But for Jon Jones, the old gloves remain his preferred choice! In a recent video shared on Instagram by ESPN MMA, Jones was asked about the changes to the gloves for UFC 309. Moreover, the interviewer asked the champ if he had a chance to train with the new design. His response? ‘Bones’ confessed, “I put the new gloves on a few times and man, they are very uncomfortable. I think they’re uncomfortable. They’re a lot smaller than the original glove, I was a 2x and there is no glove, and I’m a 3x in the new glove and the natural curve it just feels funny. It just feels funny.”

But this decision didn’t come from Jones himself. While the MMA sphere speculated it might’ve been the undisputed heavyweight champion pulling the strings behind the scenes, ‘Bones’ revealed, “No no, this was not my request. This was brand new news to me, just a few days ago.”

According to the UFC heavyweight champion’s statement, UFC exec Hunter Campbell made the decisive call. He recognized that veterans like Jones deserve to fight with equipment they’re accustomed to. Nevertheless, the fans are convinced that Jon Jones may be the only fighter benefiting from the change! Why? Here’s a look at what the netizens had to say.

Jon Jones caught in a storm of ‘eye-poke’ criticisms from fans over change in UFC 309 gloves

Fans pointed out that Jon Jones’s statement looks to them like a thinly veiled attempt to hide the fact that it’s easier for him to “poke people in the eye” with the old gloves, a design change that was crucial behind the UFC’s adoption of the new equipment. In a past interview on ‘The MMA Hour’, Jones addressed the criticism surrounding his repeated instances of poking his opponent in the eyes by stating, “I realize that I do it. I realize the criticism that I got from it. It’s not on purpose… to say I am purposely poking people in the eye, it’s just inaccurate. You can call it what you want.”

“I can’t poke people in the eye with the new ones” is the translation for yall

For others, the fact that Jones’s influence extends to even choosing equipment for his fights doesn’t bode well for Tom Aspinall. Why? While the interim heavyweight champion has vocalized his desire about wanting a unification bout against ‘Bones’, the undisputed champion hasn’t responded in kind. In a recent interview with Kevin Iole, Jones stated, “I’m not here to gamble someone else making a name off of me.”

“If Jon Jones has the power to choose the gloves for his fights, we ain’t seeing him Aspinall unless he wants to lol”

Meanwhile, Jones found an unexpected ally coming to his aid. Former UFC flyweight champion, Demetrious Johnson stated that PRIDE FC glove design remains the best choice for an MMA glove. In a video on his YouTube channel, ‘The ULTIMATE MMA Gloves TIER LIST!’, ‘Mighty Mouse’ put the PRIDE FC gloves at the S-tier, followed by One Championship’s design at the A-Tier. Surprisingly, the old UFC gloves cemented their spot in the B-tier. What about the new UFC gloves? Well, the former flyweight champ put them on the list at a C-tier! What do you think?

Demetrious Johnson: “Yup did a YouTube video on it. Pride gloves are the best”

Yet, Dillon Danis, former Bellator star did not seem too convinced about Jon Jones’ claims. According to him, ‘Bones’ was the reason behind why the UFC and Dana White brought back the old gloves just for UFC 309. Do you agree with this take by Danis?

Dillon Danis: “He made them change the gloves smh”

Once again, the ‘eye-poke’ allegations reared their head as another fan pointed out that Jones chose the old gloves to “eye poke” his opponent. However, in past interviews, Jones has maintained, ”I don’t believe it’s dirty, It’s something that I do instinctually, it’s something that I need to work on. It’s just something that happens.”

“He can’t eye poke in tha new gloves”

With UFC 309 edging closer, the return of the old gloves has set off a whirlwind of reactions. Are the old gloves truly a nod to comfort for fighters like Jon Jones? Or are they simply a way for the champ to maintain a familiar, and for some, controversial edge? For every comment cheering the decision, another is doubting the motivation behind it. Does it really give Jon Jones the upper hand? Could this be part of a larger picture in his strategy? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!