UFC 302 was a PPV event that left much to be desired due to the high number of decisions. One of the bright spots was Dustin Poirier’s strong showing against Islam Makhachev, despite Makhachev coming out on top as expected.
The talk of the night, however, revolved around the repeated instances of eye pokes, even with the introduction of new gloves. It was disappointing that there was a lack of clarity on how the new gloves would combat this issue, and this problem persisted throughout the event.
The bout between Randy Brown and Elizeu Zaleski highlighted the impact of eye pokes, with Brown seemingly gaining an advantage from three eye pokes. The fact that this issue wasn’t effectively addressed is a source of frustration for both fighters and audience members.
It’s puzzling that potential solutions to prevent eye pokes are available, yet they haven’t been incorporated into the new glove design. The focus on features like data chips for merchandise sales instead of emphasizing fighter safety is troubling.
The unresolved problem of eye pokes in MMA continues to be a significant concern that needs urgent attention and resolution.
