The latest blow to the legitimacy of the Global Fight League (GFL) hasn’t come as a shock to many.
In recent months, the newly created GFL — the latest attempt at making a team format successful in MMA — announced a lengthy list of signings ahead of its launch in 2025, including multiple former champions from the UFC and other promotions.
And following a shaky draft in January that some deemed to have been staged, dates were finally released for the first cards.
After a delay to plans to stage events in April, it was announced last month that a double-header would take place on May 24 and May 25 at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.
Just weeks on, however, those plans have already crumbled.
Journalist Ariel Helwani took to social media Wednesday night to report that the Global Fight League has canceled its first two events. The promotion’s founder, Darren Owens, subsequently cited issues with an “investor” but still pointed to June as a realistic target for the delayed launch.
Having announced a number of fighter-first initiatives such as a 50/50 revenue split and had plenty of its fighters touting the major paydays awaiting them, the GFL’s finances were quickly questioned. As most expected, skeptics were evidently right to do so.
Fans and pundits were quick to give their reactions on social media, with the majority seemingly unsurprised by the news. Making fake fighter signings and drafting athletes without their consent had already brought eyebrows up in the community.
And given that many have since predicted the Global Fight League to flounder before staging an event, the cancellation of next month’s cards and uncertainty surrounding founder Darren Owens’ statement has only fanned the flames.
