The Global Fight League (GFL), announced in 2024 with a team-based format and several prominent fighter signings, faced skepticism due to its similarity to a failed 2021 promotion and subsequently canceled its initial events, leading to doubts about its future viability and criticism of the management involved.
When the Global Fight League (GFL) was announced in 2024, skepticism ran high. Many were wary because of the number of well-known fighters signed and a similar concept that fizzled out three years prior.
Back in 2021, Darren Owen, once with World Series of Fighting, had plans for a team-based league called the WFL. It never took off. But in 2024, Owen returned with GFL, signing ex-UFC champs like Tyron Woodley, Luke Rockhold, and Chris Weidman.
Yet, just as GFL planned its two-night debut in Los Angeles, the events were abruptly canceled. Doubts about the promotion’s viability soared.
“It kind of sucks,” retired UFC welterweight Matt Brown shared on The Fighter vs. The Writer. “Feels like déjà vu. We’ve seen this story play out before.”
Over the years, many MMA promotions have come and gone. GFL didn’t even make it to its first show.
Owen stated he’s still seeking funding to launch GFL in 2025. Meanwhile, many fighters are already moving on.
Paige VanZant posted “free agent” on Instagram. Alan Belcher noted GFL promised him a fight only if he accepted revenue shares instead of a guaranteed purse.
“What a shit show,” Brown remarked about GFL. “We need more promotions for competition, but it’s a tough business model. Not sure it’ll ever happen.”
Brown questioned how investors get involved without solid proof of concept or market research. “This is a common story,” he said. “We’ve read this book before.”
Promised paydays were never disclosed, but athletes spoke of high fees—explaining why big names joined before any event occurred.
With limited options outside UFC, Brown gets why fighters took a chance on GFL. But he wonders why managers didn’t do more due diligence.
“I don’t know how anybody fell for it,” Brown said. “Hopefully, they figure something out. We’ve read this book so many times.”
Brown blamed poor management for fighters’ woes. “The f*cking managers in this sport are the worst,” he said.
While acknowledging some good managers exist, Brown has seen the darker side after 15 years in UFC.
Brown knows he was lucky with his UFC career. He hopes other promotions succeed but fears UFC might remain dominant regardless.
“I wish somebody would get it together,” Brown lamented. “It’s not a good business. Somebody needs to do it.”
He praised Dana White for building UFC into a powerhouse: “There’s no room for many promotions. UFC is the f*cking monster.”