Chimaev hasn’t competed in the U.S. since submitting Kevin Holland at UFC 279 in Las Vegas. Chimaev’s quick finish of Whittaker got the attention of UFC middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis (22-2 MMA, 8-0 UFC), who said he’d rather defend his title against the unbeaten sensation over a rematch with Sean Strickland.

Dana White reveals it was ultimately his call to bring back the old UFC gloves that are going to be used at UFC 309 and it turns out that’s a permanent switch moving forward.