UFC 309 Jon Jones vs Stipe Miocic: Fighters to wear old style of gloves in New York

Fighters will revert to wearing the original style of gloves at UFC 309 in New York this Saturday rather than the new design introduced in June, the UFC has confirmed.

The more modern gloves were first used at UFC 302 and have been a mainstay in the promotion at every event since.

The UFC made the change in an effort to reduce eye pokes, cuts and hand injuries.

Jon Jones, who was due to fight for the first time since the change, said the decision was a “major relief” for him after trying on the new gloves a few weeks ago.

“They were very uncomfortable for me and I was actually really stressed thinking about how I’m going into fight week wearing these gloves that I don’t even want to train in?” Jones said.

“[The UFC] said, ‘Everyone on this card are veterans, why put a bunch of vets in the new glove? Let’s give you guys all what you’re used to’.”

The gloves had not had a major redesign since becoming mandatory at UFC 14 in 1997.

Heavyweight champion Jones and former champion Stipe Miocic headline the card at Madison Square Garden.

It is Jones’ first defence of his title after beating Ciryl Gane for the vacant belt at UFC 285 following a three-year hiatus.

The new gloves – which like the old ones remain fingerless – have fewer seams on the outside to minimise the possibility of abrasions and cuts, while foam is added to provide maximum flexibility and impact-absorbing protection, according to the UFC.

Many fighters, including lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, have been critical of the new design.

“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,” Makhachev said.

Former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira and Michael Chandler feature in the co-main event this weekend, while Scotland’s Paul Craig and Wales’ Oban Elliott face Bo Nickal and Bassil Hafez respectively.