Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic have been hit with a last-minute change to their upcoming bout in New York City.
The heavyweight duo will finally square off after over a year of build-up at UFC 309 in Madison Square Garden, with Jone’s undisputed strap on the line. Miocic hasn’t competed since Francis Ngannou viciously stopped him for the belt in 2021, while his rival won the belt in March of last year.
But they will be forced to adjust from other title fights that have happened this year after the promotion made a decision to go back to basics. The entire card will feel the effects of a major change that is being made across the board.
UFC 309 will see fighters return to old gloves
It was reported on Tuesday evening that Saturday night’s event will see the return of the old UFC gloves after a five-month experiment. The promotion had introduced new gloves this summer, but Jon Jones, Stipe Miocic and the rest of the card will need to wear the old brand on Saturday night.
The change was confirmed by veteran reporter Ariel Helwani this evening, with a reason as yet unknown for why they have decided to make the change. It will be the first event since June’s UFC 302 that the promotion will not use the 3Eight/5Eight.
“UFC has informed the fighters competing on Saturday’s 309 card in NYC that they will be using the old gloves not the new ones introduced back in June, per multiple sources,” Helwani wrote on X, formerly Twitter, today. “Specific reason unclear at the moment.”
Nothing will materially change in terms of the 4oz weight of the glove, but there will be structural differences. The new brand were supposed to minimize hand injuries, cuts and most importantly eye pokes, but have proven controversial.
UFC introduced new fight gloves at UFC 302
Back in April during the fight week for UFC 300, the promotion made a big deal of confirming a new set of gloves for all fighters. Standard competitors would wear a black pair, while title fights would see them compete in gold, and Contender Series athletes would get blue ones.
The gloves were introduced at UFC 302 in Newark as Dustin Poirier was submitted by Islam Makhachev in a lightweight world title main event. They have proven divisive since, with many pointing out a distinct lack of punch finishes since they were introduced.
“We have been working on these gloves over the past few years with the best designers, engineers, and athletes in the world,” said UFC CEO and President Dana White as recently as April when they were unveiled to the press.
“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. You’ll start to see these in competition this summer.”
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