UFC to unveil new gloves to prevent eye pokes in fighters

The new UFC gloves are designed to be safer and protect fighters better. They have new padding to help keep fingers in a natural position and reduce eye pokes. The gloves also have seams on the palm side to prevent cuts and abrasions. These changes aim to make fights safer and prevent injuries. The decision to introduce these new gloves came after a study on eye pokes in UFC, PFL, and Bellator fights. The study found that eye pokes were a common issue, with 31 fights having eye pokes and a total of 36 eye pokes occurring. This raised concerns about the safety of fighters and the need for better equipment. The new gloves were officially introduced for all fighters starting with a recent UFC event at the Prudential Center in New Jersey. Despite the safety benefits, some fighters, like 35-year-old Poirier, have found it challenging to adjust to the new gloves. Poirier mentioned that it's difficult to open fingers with these gloves, making it less comfortable for him. The history of UFC gloves shows a progression towards safer equipment. In the early days, fighters like Art Jimmerson competed with one bare hand and one boxing glove. Over time, padded gloves became mandatory to protect fighters from injuries. Overall, the introduction of these new gloves is a step towards improving fighter safety in UFC matches. The focus is on ensuring that fights follow rules and regulations, with the aim of reducing injuries like eye pokes and cuts.