The new UFC gloves were abandoned primarily due to issues with the logos peeling off, which posed safety concerns and affected the professional appearance, rather than impacting fighter performance or knockout rates.
Khalil Rountree knows why the new UFC gloves didn’t last—and it might not be what you think.
When the UFC unveiled a revamped glove design in April 2024, reactions were mixed. Fighters wondered how it might impact performance and reduce eye pokes. Yet, less than a year later, the old model was back, sparking more speculation.
Were they uncomfortable? Did they hinder knockouts? Or was it just to keep Jon Jones happy?
During an interview on The Joe Rogan Experience, Rountree—who helped develop and test the gloves—shared the real reason for the recall.
“The main issue was the leather,” Rountree explained. “The logos just wouldn’t stick. We tried hundreds of methods to keep the UFC logo on during fights. From testing on canvas to sparring, it just wouldn’t stay.”
Initially, the gloves were touted to reduce hand injuries and improve dexterity. Fans blamed them for fewer knockouts, but the data remains inconclusive due to limited usage.
Rountree wore the new gloves once, challenging Alex Pereira for the light heavyweight title at UFC 307. Their punching power seemed unaffected, battling fiercely until Pereira’s finish in Round 5.
The real problem? Manufacturing material, not knockouts.
“With leather, it’s different now,” Rountree said. “A pair from 1970 isn’t like today’s leather. It’s softer, treated differently—something’s just different.”
Safety concerns arose, but not from injuries. The pesky logo was the main issue.
“It’s not about knockouts,” Rountree stated. “The logo kept peeling, which is hazardous if it gets in your eye. It’s about fighter safety, not needing more knockouts.”
“It’s unprofessional for fighters in championship bouts to have gloves without a visible UFC logo. It all wore off,” he concluded.