UFC unveils new sleek 3EIGHT/5EIGHT glove design, set to debut on June 1

UFC unveils new sleek 3EIGHT/5EIGHT glove design, set to debut on June 1Hours before the UFC’s biggest event of all time, the promotion unveiled a brand new glove design that has…

UFC unveils new sleek 3EIGHT/5EIGHT glove design, set to debut on June 1

Hours before the UFC’s biggest event of all time, the promotion unveiled a brand new glove design that has fans hoping — and praying — that the epidemic of eye pokes inside the Octagon is over.

On Saturday, June 1, the new gloves, named the 3Eight and 5Eight, will make their official debut at UFC 302 when the promotion returns to the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

UFC gloves

According to the official UFC website, “The gloves were designed based on significant feedback from athletes and coaches, as well as scientific data and engineering principles, to ensure that they improved the fit, function, and technology of the gloves that fighters wear in the Octagon.”

UFC gloves

Aside from sporting a more ergonomic design for maximum comfort and a secure fit, each pair will include a data chip inserted in the glove “that will allow UFC to identify a pair of gloves to a fighter and a specific fight, authenticating the gloves as fight worn.”

The gloves also feature a new wristband locking system to remove the space that could allow an opponent to grab a glove during grappling exchanges.

UFC gloves

UFC reveals gloves will come in multiple colors to coordinate with different fights and events

The new gloves will come in multiple colors with championship bouts featuring the gold set while non-title fights will see fighters dawn the more traditional black gloves.

There will also be blue gloves introduced for fighters competing on Dana White’s Contender Series along with a red set that will be utilized for miscellaneous events i.e. Road to UFC.

UFC gloves

Watch the official presentation of the new gloves below:

Joe Rogan: UFC Fighters Shouldn’t Wear Gloves

The debate about gloves in the UFC has been going on a while now, but not so much whether or not they should be worn, rather if they could be improved to prevent fouls. The problem with the current style of glove is that the finger tips are free to do damage when the hand

The post Joe Rogan: UFC Fighters Shouldn’t Wear Gloves appeared first on LowKick MMA.

The debate about gloves in the UFC has been going on a while now, but not so much whether or not they should be worn, rather if they could be improved to prevent fouls. The problem with the current style of glove is that the finger tips are free to do damage when the hand is open. This often results in eye pokes or scratches that not only cause breaks in the action, but are highly dangerous to the fighter’s health and safety. Vision problems can easily cost a fighter their career, and so thinking on a method of improving these gloves has been a constant effort, although to no avail as of yet.

Another and rather obvious safety feature in relation to gloves is not only for the person receiving the blow, but the one dishing out the punches. For the fighter who is throwing strikes, broken bones in the hand are a frequent hazard. But for Joe Rogan, it’s an unrealistic amount of protection for a fighter to have.

JoeRogan600x400

Making the oft referenced comparison between MMA and boxing during his most recent podcast, and also highlighting recent events, Rogan gives his opinion on fighter safety and more specifically whether MMA fighters should wear gloves or not:

“It’s much more rare that boxers break their hands compared to MMA fighters. I think MMA fighters have an unrealistic amount of protection on their hands, and it’s just for their own protection really. I got interviewed recently when that guy did overseas, and was asked if I thought MMA fighters should have bigger gloves or head gear. I think the real answer is no gloves and no wrist taping. The thing is when you punch you have to try really hard to keep your wrist straight, and you have to hit with the first two knuckles. Reckless punching would go away.”

Do you agree with Rogan’s assessment? Check out the full video segment and judge for yourself.

The post Joe Rogan: UFC Fighters Shouldn’t Wear Gloves appeared first on LowKick MMA.