UFC will debut new 'game-changing' gloves that try to prevent eye pokes

UFC will debut new gloves for this weekend's UFC 287 that try to prevent eye pokes, with Gilbert Burns demonstrating the new design.

Perennial contender Burns takes on Jorge Masvidal in a blockbuster welterweight clash in the co-main event of UFC 287.

And both fighters will be sporting new gloves inside the famed Octagon when they clash in Miami, Florida.

In the latest episode of 'UFC 287 Embedded', Burns shows off the new design of the UFC gloves that will be debuted on Saturday.

The 36-year-old tries on the glove and explains how the new slightly curved look will prevent eye pokes.

"I love it because people don’t see, but it kind of makes your fingers go down, so less eye pokes," he said, modeling the new gear.

"So I like it, see my hands are relaxed, [the fingers] don’t stay here. Way better for no eye poke. I like these new gloves."

It's long overdue, but fight fans online praised the promotion for introducing the new design in a bid to prevent eye pokes.

One Twitter user wrote: "This is definitely a good thing and am glad UFC is doing it. What I don't get is what took so long."

A second tweeted: "Long overdue but better late than never."

A third added: "So they are finally going with the Pride gloves! Only took them a couple generations to make the correct move."

A fourth said: "Good less cheating and permanent injuries to the eyes."

Image: Alamy

Another commented: "Very good on the UFC, better late then never. The sport should always be trying to be better. A+ for me."

Eye pokes have plagued the sport of MMA, with Belal Muhammad suffering a nasty injury against Leon Edwards following an accidental poke in the eye during their contest in March 2021.

But the new UFC gloves is a step in the right direction as the promotion attempts to find a fix to prevent eye pokes in the cage