### UFC Ditches New Gloves Ahead of Jon Jones' Heavyweight Title Defense

In a surprising move, the UFC has decided to revert to its traditional gloves for the upcoming UFC 309 event at Madison Square Garden, where Jon Jones will defend his heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic. This decision came just six months after unveiling the new gloves, which were introduced to minimize eye pokes and enhance fighter safety.

The new gloves, first used in UFC 302 held in June, were engineered with a series of modifications designed to improve combat conditions. These changes included positioning seams on the palm side of the hand, introducing new padding to maintain natural finger positioning, and removing finger binding to reduce bulk and abrasion risks. Moreover, the traditional male and female sizing was replaced by 10 unisex sizes, and the gloves were lightened to weigh between 3 and 4.9 ounces.

However, despite these innovations, the new gloves faced significant backlash from fighters, including Jon Jones. "The shape, the curve in your hands, they're very uncomfortable for me," Jones commented during fight week in New York. Concerns about the fit, comfort, and flexibility led to a growing chorus of discontent among athletes, which ultimately prompted the UFC to reconsider their use.

UFC President Dana White confirmed the decision to revert to the older gloves, acknowledging the complaints from fighters. "The new gloves are now the old gloves," White said, marking a clear end to the brief stint of the redesigned equipment.

Jones, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest fighters in UFC history, expressed relief at the decision. "It was a major relief to my coach who wraps my hands," Jones said, relieved to be using gear he was familiar with for his championship bout.

Since its inception, the design of MMA gloves has evolved slowly. UFC 14 in 1997 was the first event to mandate padded gloves, a significant departure from the original UFC fight in 1993, where fighters like Art Jimmerson competed with one bare hand and one boxing glove. Now, with the return to the old gloves, the UFC continues to balance tradition with innovation in the ever-evolving sport of mixed martial arts.