Overview
- Trevor Wittman told Joe Rogan that UFC executive Hunter Campbell reached out in recent weeks to "ignite the conversation" about using Wittman’s curved gloves in the Octagon.
- UFC CEO Dana White says earlier negotiations collapsed because Wittman’s camp sought roughly $100 million for the design, creating a major valuation barrier to any deal.
- Wittman’s gloves use a curved shape that holds the hand in a natural fist so fingers are less likely to extend and accidentally poke an opponent in the eye.
- The promotion previously trialed a new glove in 2024 but reverted to its prior model after fighters rejected the change, and the Ciryl Gane–Tom Aspinall eye poke at UFC 321 increased public pressure for a fix.
- Any adoption would still require deal terms on intellectual property and price, athletic-commission approval, fighter buy-in and manufacturing logistics, so talks are active but unresolved.