Sean Strickland slams UFC's new gloves, says design will do nothing to stop eye-pokes inside octagon

Sean Strickland appears to be less than impressed with the UFC's newly introduced gloves. The former middleweight champion is set to face off against Paulo Costa in a five-round showdown, positioned as the co-headliner of UFC 302.

The upcoming pay-per-view event is scheduled to take place this weekend at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

On Saturday night, fighters will step into the octagon sporting brand-new gloves. These mitts are dubbed the 3Eight for non-title bouts and the 5Eight for championship fights.

During Wednesday's media day for UFC 302, 'Tarzan' lashed out at the designers of the new UFC gloves and echoed lightweight champion Islam Makhachev's concerns that the stiffer equipment will result in more cuts:

"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. If you get cut because you get hit in the f**king head, don’t get hit in the f**king head; you don’t get cut".

Strickland added:

"You get poked in the eyes because you f**king opened your hand, so don’t open your hands, and you won’t get poked in the eye. That’s people creating problems that aren’t there."

Check out Sean Strickland's comments below:

Following years of criticism surrounding issues such as eye pokes and hand injuries, the MMA promotion unveiled a new glove for its fighters during UFC 300 Fight Week in April.

The gloves were said to be redesigned with an anti-grab wristband locking system to prevent glove grabs during grappling exchanges. They also offer increased mobility and flexibility while aiming to minimize the risk of cuts.

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Sean Strickland anticipates "bloodbath" against Paulo Costa at UFC 302

Following a closely contested split decision defeat to Dricus du Plessis at UFC 297 in January, where he relinquished his middleweight title, Sean Strickland anticipates a similarly intense full five-round battle in his upcoming bout against Paulo Costa.

During the UFC 302 Countdown episode, 'Tarzan' emphasized his mental preparedness to face the potential challenges posed by Costa and emerge as the superior fighter when they collide on June 1. Strickland said:

"UFC 302, man, it’s going to be a bloodbath. I think that me and Costa, we’re going to go in the deep water. It’s going to be a 25-minute war. I think we’re both going to be looking at each other in that third, fourth round, thinking, 'F**k, we’ve got one more round.' But mentally, as always, I’m ready to die for what I want, and I think I’m going to pick him apart."

Check out Sean Strickland's comments below (45:45):