The launch of the GFL no longer occurs. (Mike Roach / Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
(Mike Roach via Getty Images)
The planned launch of the Global Fight League is almost dead.
The promotion of emerging and team -based MMA has officially canceled its first list of events, the executive director of the California sports commission, Andy Foster, confirmed on Wednesday at Ariel Helwani in Non Couronne. Several additional sources have confirmed the news.
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The future of promotion is currently uncertain.
GFL had planned an ambitious launch in its first season, aimed at staging a program of two days and 31 combinations from May 24 to 25, at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.
Double head events were to present 42 UFC veterans and nine former UFC / Bellator champions (including temporary champions), but these plans have now collapsed.
The founder of GFL, Darren Owen, did not return the requests for comments when writing this article.
The clashes announced notable on the two cards included a trilogy fight between former UFC champion Renan Barāo and the renowned temple of the UFC Urijah Faber, the revival of the rivalry between the former WEC / UFC Benson Henderson and Anthony Pettis champion, a meeting between former UFC Holly Holm champion Budd, as well as the champion Danis Danis, the Belat champion, Tinath Budd. Ferguson.
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GFL caused a sensation last December with announcements of major plans after three years of preparation and a change of name of the World Combat League. Owen told Sans Couronne at the time that GFL planned to implement a team format and a seasonal framework, with a calendar of 15 events until August 2025, followed by two events in the playoffs in September and the finals of the season in November.
GFL hunting contracts had to include a share of 50/50 income as well as retirement incentives, among other advantages. Many fighters have also publicly talked about large handbags offered by GFL.
The promotion held its inaugural project in January, with six GFL world teams made up of 120 fighters in total. Owen told Unden, in January, that he was convinced that the promotion would be able to conclude a broadcasting agreement before April and that GFL planned to “fill the void of the NFL”, with a combination of remuneration at sight and free events, potentially even organizing several events for a weekend.
Although the next GFL stage was not clear at that time, Helwani de la Non-Couronne reported on Wednesday that there were “serious doubts” on the future of promotion.
