One of the big changes the UFC has seen recently is an update to key parts of the fight kit.
UFC fighters’ gloves have been the source of many problems over the years, from seams that cause tears to glove designs that prevent fighters from making a fist.
Ignoring all the great glove designs from other promotions (some of which are now defunct, like PRIDE FC), some of MMA’s modern pioneers are innovating on their own. Trevor Whitman, Justin Gaethje’s famous coach and founder of ONX Sports, designed the glove specifically to address the issues plaguing his professional MMA fighters.
Joe Rogan demonstrating Trevor Whitman’s ONX MMA gloves
JRE
Fans were hoping for Whitman’s gloves as part of the recent “UFC Equipment Update,” but they were very disappointed. MMAKnockout’s Matt Riddle sat down with Elevation Fight Team’s Justin Gaethje on his April 19th to discuss his reaction to the news.
Q: Recently, there was an equipment update regarding gloves. I think many fans were wondering, “Maybe that’s Trevor Whitman’s glove?”What does the Whitman camp think about that? [not being the case]?
“I’m very happy that the UFC is making these changes,” Gaethje said. “So, obviously, we want it to be our gloves. But at the end of the day, the problem with the gloves that we use is that they are very uncomfortable. It is not intended to promote [hand] position. I think that’s one of the most important things for us players.
“Imagine putting on the gloves for the biggest game of your life. Your fingertips are numb, your hands are numb, and you feel pain in a place you never expected pain to be: your knuckles.
“I mean, these were the problems, these were the problems we were trying to solve. I don’t know if they’re going to do it. But, you know, I hope so. But… From our perspective, we think “we’re just glad that change is happening.”
“We’re not going to sit here and get mad or deal with it one way or another because they didn’t pick our glove because it wasn’t our glove. I just… I hope this glove works.”
Gaethje: New gloves won’t solve eye pain.
“There will never be a glove that will remove the eye sting,” Gaethje admitted. “Especially with open finger gloves, because it’s part of what we do and it’s a natural human reaction when you’re scared or you see someone scared or caught off guard. It’s always this.” [Gaethje extends his arms in front of his face, fingers out].
“This is our first effort. … Gloves put you in more of a position, even when you’re trying to make a fist, even if you don’t want to. Gloves still facilitated this position.” [outstretched fingers]. So I think that was the biggest problem. I haven’t tried gloves. …I think it might be helpful, but we’ll see. You won’t know until you try on something like that. ”
For more daily UFC and MMA coverage, keep reading MMA Knockout.
