UFC 309 Reverts to Previous Fight Gloves
UFC 309 used the UFC’s previous glove design after the promotion reversed course days before its November 16, 2024 card at Madison Square Garden. The switch followed months of complaints about the redesigned gloves introduced at UFC 302 in June.
Why UFC 309 used the older gloves
The redesigned gloves debuted at UFC 302 on June 1, 2024. The UFC said their construction was intended to reduce eye pokes and hand injuries, with changes to the seams, finger openings and wrist support. By November, fighters had raised concerns about the new model’s comfort and fit. The promotion notified athletes ahead of UFC 309 that it would supply the previous design for the event.
At the UFC 309 press conference, CEO Dana White said the reversal was his decision and pointed to repeated fighter complaints. The reported evidence supports that explanation; it does not establish that a New York commission order or a specific fighter caused the switch. The older gloves were used at UFC 309 on November 16.
A short-lived return, then a full switch back
White described the return as permanent, but the UFC needed time to restock the older model. The promotion completed the change across its events in February 2025, when it stopped using the redesigned gloves.
What the knockout numbers can—and cannot—show
Knockout rates drew attention after the 2024 redesign, and some comparisons showed a decline during the new-glove period. Those event totals do not show that gloves caused the change: the periods were limited, and many factors affect fight finishes. White cited fighter feedback when explaining the decision; the UFC has not published evidence establishing that the glove design changed knockout outcomes.
Sources: ESPN on the 2024 glove redesign; MMA Fighting on the UFC 309 equipment change; Dana White’s explanation; MMA Fighting on the full return to the previous model in 2025.
