There have been some͏ c͏hang͏e͏͏s in the UFC that seem to have had a ͏negative effect on the fights͏. ͏A few mont͏hs ago, Da͏n͏a White and Co. an͏nounced ͏that the UFC would be chan͏g͏ing the MMA g͏e͏ar for its fig͏ht͏͏ers, wh͏i͏ch pred͏omi͏n͏antly i͏ncluded the ͏fi͏ght glo͏ves. The UFC supre͏mo asserted that th͏e new gloves would help the f͏ig͏hters, resulting in fewer eye pokes a͏nd better match͏͏͏e͏s. However, the reality seems to͏ b͏e a bit different and Joe Rogan‘s opinion seems to be right.

To give you simple statistics, a big Instagram handle suggested that there have been 37 fights since the new MMA gloves were introduced to the promotion, and out of those 37 fights, only 4 have ended in knockouts. This is an alarming signal, as this might indicate the inefficiency of the gloves. Interestingly, Joe Rogan was always against the introduction of these gloves, as he wanted the UFC to add Trevor Wittman’s gloves.

While conversing with Sean Brady on his podcast a few months back, Rogan emphasized, “He[Trevor Wittman] has absolutely superior MMA gloves. They’re the best. Yeah, no one even comes close. And when you make a fist with those, it actually encourages a closed fist. I should probably reinstate these talks and try to get it going again. I really should. You know what? I’m gonna do that.”

Rogan even tried to convince the UFC top brass to consider having a conversation with Wittman about introducing those gloves in UFC. However, despite his best efforts, the promotion settled down with a slightly smaller version of the original UFC gloves. Meanwhile, MMA fans noticed the fall of knockouts after the introduction of the new gloves as they took to social media to give their opinion.

Fans give mixed reactions to the new gloves

Alex Pereira and Carlos Ulberg are fighting against Jiri Prochazka and Anthony Smith respectively in UFC 303. It can be stated that no big striker fights were happening and that might be the reason for such low knockout rates. A social media user wrote in response to the poor stats with the golden gloves, “Pereira and ulberg will sort it out.” More fans seem to be rooting for Alex Pereira to break the curse. A UFC viewer commented, “Wait til periera fights again.”

Furthermore, a fan added that despite that smaller size, the gloves have more cushion and thus there have been fewer knockouts. Is this true? Well, it’s partly true as UFC designed these gloves to limit cuts as well. “They have more cushion less knuckle action so it’s harder to ko your opponent,” wrote the fan.

However, many on social media advocated for bringing the old gloves back. Fans, especially those supported by fighters like Islam Makhachev, might oppose the new gear. The old gloves looked good and had more knockout rates. A fan suggested that the UFC should have just stuck with the old ones, “Go back to the OG gloves! Nobody including fighters and fans like the new gloves.”

Another fan doubled down on going back to the old gloves by writing, “Facts they need to go back to old ones I thought they would have more ko because they are a ounce smaller but no.” A social media user even added that the new gloves just look awful on television, “I hate the new gloves TBH they look terrible on TV.” Well, the new championship glove golden design already facing a massive outrage because of its lacklustre design.

Well, both Joe Rogan and Dana White wanted better gloves for their fighters, but both of them had different opinions on how to tackle the existing problems. Who do you think had a better plan? What are your views about the new gloves? State your thoughts in the comments below.