The Price of Safety: Why Dana White Benched Trevor Wittman’s Glove Deal

Eye pokes have long plagued mixed martial arts, constantly halting the action and causing serious injuries inside the Octagon. For years, fans and athletes pointed to the premium gloves designed by elite MMA coach Trevor Wittman as the perfect solution. Their curved, ergonomic shape keeps a fighter's fingers naturally curled, drastically reducing accidental pokes. However, UFC CEO Dana White has officially crushed hopes of a quick buyout, exposing a massive financial divide.

White addressed the situation at a recent press conference, explaining that the UFC had tried to strike a deal with Wittman for years.

Prompted by former champion Rashad Evans, White initially instructed his business team to sign the contract at almost any cost. However, negotiations immediately collapsed when Wittman’s representatives requested $100 million for the patent. White criticized the figure as economically impossible for sports equipment, noting that the UFC could never sell enough gloves to recover that investment. Emphasizing the deadlock, White remarked, "We’ll do a fight in the Coliseum before that happens."

While Wittman recently mentioned on the Joe Rogan Experience that UFC Chief Business Officer Hunter Campbell reached out weeks ago to restart talks, White remains highly pessimistic. The promotion already attempted to launch its own updated gloves in 2024, but quietly reverted to the classic model after fighters complained about hand pain and a noticeable drop in knockout power. For now, as both sides argue over patent pricing, athletes continue to compete in traditional gear.