Fighter safety collides again with ownership and commercial power.
Las Vegas, June 2026
The UFC has reopened discussions with renowned coach Trevor Wittman over the possible adoption of his ONX combat gloves, reviving a long-running controversy surrounding fighter safety, intellectual property and the promotion’s control over its equipment. Wittman, best known as the trainer of lightweight champion Justin Gaethje, revealed that UFC executive Hunter Campbell contacted him recently to restart negotiations. The development follows years of criticism from fighters and commentators who argue that the organization’s current gloves do not adequately prevent eye pokes or protect athletes’ hands. A previous attempt to reach an agreement failed amid disputes over ownership and the commercial valuation of Wittman’s design.
The debate intensified after UFC introduced redesigned gloves in 2024, presenting them as an improvement intended to reduce accidental eye injuries and provide greater hand protection. Fighters soon complained about their fit, rigidity and overall feel during competition. Some athletes said the gloves made it more difficult to close the hand naturally, while others questioned whether the changes had produced any meaningful safety benefit. The promotion abandoned the design within a year and returned to the older model.
Wittman’s ONX gloves have long been promoted as a potential solution because they are designed to encourage the hand to remain in a more naturally closed position. Traditional mixed martial arts gloves can place tension on the fingers and make an open hand more comfortable, increasing the risk that an extended finger reaches an opponent’s eye during striking exchanges. ONX uses internal supports, curved construction and specialized padding intended to reduce that tendency. The design also aims to stabilize the hand without requiring conventional wrapping beneath the glove.
Joe Rogan has repeatedly supported Wittman’s equipment and criticized the UFC for failing to adopt it earlier. During a recent conversation involving Wittman and Gaethje, the commentator argued that the current gloves remain inadequate despite previous attempts at reform. Rogan’s intervention gave the issue renewed visibility because eye pokes have remained one of the sport’s most persistent and controversial safety problems. They can interrupt fights, alter competitive outcomes and cause lasting damage to an athlete’s vision.
The controversy, however, extends beyond technical design. UFC chief executive Dana White said earlier negotiations became complicated by a valuation reportedly reaching 100 million dollars. White suggested that the promotion was unwilling to accept such a price for the technology and associated rights. Wittman’s side has maintained that the disagreement involved more than a simple purchase because UFC wanted extensive control over a product he had spent years developing.
Ownership is central to the dispute because a licensing arrangement would allow Wittman to retain rights while permitting UFC to use the gloves under agreed conditions. A complete acquisition would give the promotion greater control over manufacturing, branding and future modifications. For Wittman, surrendering ownership could mean losing authority over a design closely connected to his professional reputation and equipment company. For UFC, licensing an essential competition product from an outside manufacturer could create long-term financial and operational dependence.
Wittman has previously said that he collaborated with UFC under a confidentiality agreement and contributed knowledge during earlier efforts to improve its gloves. Those discussions did not lead to the adoption of the ONX model. The promotion instead developed its own equipment, only to withdraw it following widespread complaints. That sequence has strengthened criticism from observers who believe commercial considerations were prioritized over an established design already respected by fighters.
The renewed contact from Campbell suggests both sides may now be willing to reconsider their positions. UFC faces continued pressure to improve safety while preserving the spectacle and striking effectiveness expected by audiences. Wittman, meanwhile, has an opportunity to introduce his design on the largest platform in mixed martial arts. Any agreement would still need to resolve manufacturing capacity, regulatory approval, athlete testing, intellectual property protections and financial terms.
The issue gained further relevance after Gaethje’s high-profile championship victory over Ilia Topuria. Wittman’s tactical work received widespread recognition following the bout, strengthening his influence within the sport. His reputation is not limited to Gaethje, as he has also trained elite fighters including Rose Namajunas and Kamaru Usman. Success at the highest competitive level gives greater credibility to his claims that equipment design should respond directly to the physical realities experienced by athletes.
Glove reform is particularly difficult in mixed martial arts because the equipment must serve several functions simultaneously. Fighters need enough padding to protect the hand during punches, but the fingers must remain sufficiently free for grappling, submissions and defensive movements. Excessive curvature could interfere with wrestling, while insufficient curvature may leave the fingers extended during striking. Any new model must therefore balance mobility, protection and competitive fairness across multiple fighting styles.
Regulatory commissions would also need to approve significant changes before the gloves could be used widely. Athletic authorities are responsible for ensuring that equipment meets safety standards and does not provide an unfair advantage. A trial period could involve controlled training sessions, feedback from athletes and limited use at selected events. The promotion would need to demonstrate that the design reduces injuries without introducing unexpected risks.
Critics have also questioned whether glove design alone can eliminate eye pokes. Refereeing standards, athlete technique and penalties remain important because some fighters extend their fingers deliberately to manage distance. A better glove may reduce accidental contact, but it cannot prevent every illegal action. Effective reform would therefore require equipment improvements alongside consistent enforcement and stronger consequences for repeated violations.
The negotiations represent a broader struggle over who shapes safety standards in professional combat sports. Promoters control events and commercial presentation, regulators establish legal requirements, coaches understand technical performance and fighters absorb the physical consequences. Wittman’s design sits at the intersection of those interests. Its possible adoption would demonstrate whether an innovation developed outside UFC can enter the organization without being fully absorbed into its corporate structure.
No final agreement has been announced, and the financial dispute remains a substantial obstacle. However, the reopening of talks indicates that the failed 2024 glove experiment did not end the search for a better solution. UFC must decide whether control of the product matters more than access to a design many athletes already trust. Wittman must determine whether compromise can protect both his invention and the fighters for whom it was created.
Contra la propaganda, memoria. / Against propaganda, memory.