UFC 287 is here and fans cannot wait to get inside the Kaseya Center, in Miami to witness the action. In the lead-up to the event, there has been a lot of talk about all the fighters on the card. Ahead of the event, Gilbert Burns has revealed and spoken about the new UFC gloves.
For a long time, there has been an ongoing debate in the community about the gloves. Their size, tightness, and rough edges have often been seen as the cause of many unwanted cuts and eye pokes. However, it appears that the UFC has worked on its kit and delivered a new and improved fight glove.
Ahead of UFC 287, the UFC unveiled their UFC 30th Anniversary Limited Edition Fight Glove. Talking about it on the latest episode of Embedded, Gilbert had some good things to say about the new gloves. “I love it because people don’t see it but it’s not, kind of makes your fingers go down, so less eye poke, I like it. See, my hands are relaxed, it goes here, it doesn’t stay here, way better for no eye poke. I like this new glove.”
Previously, we have seen a lot of instances where fighters have complained about the kit. As such, the UFC is finally beginning to take note of these problems and rectify them. Eye pokes have been a constant menace in the UFC and have seen many fights end in no contests. Thus, the new gloves will hopefully help avoid them, as Gilbert Burns suggests.
Major eye pokes in UFC history
As mentioned previously, the UFC has long been plagued with eye pokes. More often than not, it results in either a no contest or the affected fighter losing the fight. Notably, Current UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier were notorious for their eye pokes. Although it is against the rules of the UFC, an ‘unintentionally’ extended finger can cause some serious damage.
As such, let’s take a look at some of the most devastating and controversial eye pokes in the UFC. Honorable mentions include Yair Rodriguez vs Jeremy Stephens 1, Daniel Cormier vs Stipe Miocic trilogy, and Urijah Faber vs. Jimmie Rivera at UFC 203.
1. Gian Villante vs Ovince St. Preux at UFC 159
In what was OSP’s first-ever fight in the UFC, he took on Gian Villante in a three-round light heavyweight contest. Having lost only once in his career up until that point, the Haitian was feeling the wind in his sails. As it turns out, OSP landed an accidental eye poke on Villante, who was trying to scurry away from danger.
Surprisingly, Villante was not allowed adequate time to recover as the referee waved off the fight fairly quickly. In the post-fight interview, Villante cut a confused and frustrated figure, having lost the fight via majority decision. According to Gian, the referee made his mind up as soon as he stated that he could not see.
2. Jon Jones vs. Glover Teixeira at UFC 172
As we mentioned previously, Jones was notorious for eye-poking during his light heavyweight reign. Utilizing his range, Jones would often place his hand over his opponent’s face in order to dish out punishment whilst keeping them at bay. Thus, he continued this strategy when he took on Glover Teixeira at UFC 172 as well.
On the night, Jones was given stiff competition by the Brazilian, before eking out a decision win. However, many argued that Jones landed multiple eye pokes throughout the fight using his strategy which prevented Glover from getting up close and personal with Jones.
3. Leon Edwards vs Belal Muhammad at UFC Vegas 21
One of the more memorable eye pokes in recent history, Leon Edwards accidentally landed an eye poke onto Belal Muhammad during their UFC Vegas 21 main event. Replacing Khamzat Chimaev, Muhammad was keen to step in against Leon Edwards, who has since gone on to become the welterweight champion.
To his credit, Muhammad did well to cope and stay in the fight prior to the eye poke. Unfortunately, the gruesome injury left him unable to continue and Herb Dean rightfully called off the contest, ruling it a no-contest. To date, Muhammad remains determined to run it back against Edwards.
4. Travis Browne vs. Matt Mitrione, UFC Fight Night 81
Travis Browne has garnered a reputation for being a rather dirty fighter. During his time with the UFC, Browne was involved in two eye poke incidents, with the one against Matt Mitrione being the most disturbing one. Whilst his eye poke against Fabricio Werdum wasn’t enough to secure the win, Browne doubled down with two pokes in this one.
As a result, Mitrione succumbed to a TKO loss and suffered a fractured orbital despite the blatant cheating. Additionally, what made matters worse was that the referee in charge Gary Forman did not penalize Browne either. The injury was a serious one for Mitrione and continued to affect him for years during his career.