Jon Jones is thrilled the UFC is switching back to its old gloves for UFC 309.
The heavyweight champion, who defends his title Saturday against Stipe Miocic in New York, said Wednesday he recently tried out the new style of gloves – which were introduced earlier this year – and didn’t like how they felt.
“I’m really excited about the old gloves,” Jones said at UFC 309 media day, according to MMA Fighting. “I got sent a pair of the new gloves several weeks ago. I tried them on, and I thought they were tight. I used to fit an XL, and in the new glove, I had to put on a 3XL. The shape, curving your hands like that – they were very uncomfortable for me.”
On Tuesday, the UFC reportedly informed fighters scheduled to compete at this weekend’s event that they’d use the old style of gloves instead of the new style. It wasn’t immediately clear why the promotion decided to revert to the previous design.
The UFC unveiled a new glove style in April that aimed to reduce cuts and abrasions, eye pokes, and hand injuries. Fighters wore the gloves for the first time at UFC 302 in June.
Jones said UFC chief business officer Hunter Campbell told him the organization chose to go back to the old gloves because several veterans are on the card.
Jones, who hasn’t stepped into the Octagon since March 2023, added that he was “stressed” going into fight week about having to wear the new gloves against Miocic.
“I got a phone call recently (and) Hunter said, ‘Everyone on this card are veterans. Why put a bunch of vets in a new glove? Let’s give you guys all what you’re used to,'” Jones said. “It was a major relief to my coach Brandon (Gibson), who wraps my hands. It was a major relief to me, as well.”
It’s unclear whether the UFC intends to go back to the new glove style after its annual stop at Madison Square Garden.
