UFC make drastic rule change for UFC 309 as fighters 'notified' just days before event

The UFC has made a drastic last-minute rule change for UFC 309 as fighters have been 'informed' just days before the New York City event.

The MMA leaders return to New York City, New York, for this weekend's huge UFC 309 card from the iconic Madison Square Garden.

In the main-event, Jon Jones defends his UFC heavyweight championship against Stipe Miocic while Michael Chandler, who was supposed to face Conor McGregor before injury scrapped their bout, meets Charles Oliveira in the co-main event, which will be contested over five rounds.

And Jones, Miocic, Chandler and Oliveira, and the rest of the fighters on the card, will be wearing UFC's old gloves opposed to the new gloves that were introduced earlier this year.

That's according to Ariel Helwani, who claims the reason behind the change is still unclear.

On X, he wrote: "UFC has informed the fighters competing on Saturday’s 309 card in NYC that they will be using the old gloves not the new ones introduced back in June, per multiple sources. Specific reason unclear at the moment."

At the time of writing, it's unknown whether this will be a permanent move or just a one-off.

Back in June, the UFC officially changed their gloves to a new design in hopes that it would lead to fewer broken hands and eye pokes.

The material was also considered to be superior to the old design.

Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway wearing the new UFC gloves during their UFC 308 championship clash. Image: Getty

However, knockouts inside the famed Octagon have dropped by 10 per cent from June to October 2024.

The new gloves debuted at UFC 302 in New Jersey, with Sean Strickland complaining about the design.

Speaking ahead of his UFC 302 bout against Paulo Costa, he said: "They suck. Can we talk to the person who designed these gloves? Have you ever been in a fight in your f**king life? It’s like you get these f**king dorks that have no idea. Like, this sounds like a good idea and they make it. Same thing with motorcycles. I’ve bought motorcycles and they put so much stupid sh*t on it. How did you a**holes think this was a good idea?

"So no, they absolutely suck. You dropped the ball on that one."