Upcoming MMA promotion Global Fight League GFL, announced that they will be pulling the plug on debuting in May.
The new MMA promotion GFL announced on Wednesday that its launch events, originally scheduled for May 24 and 25 in Los Angeles, have been officially canceled. The news has left fans wondering when or if the promotion will finally get off the ground.
The situation has also cast uncertainty over the fighters who had signed on with the promotion. It’s unclear whether they’ll remain with GFL or seek opportunities elsewhere while they await a rescheduled date.
GFL founder Darren Owen spoke with Uncrowned on Wednesday and shared some insight into the cancellation.
“My main investor didn’t fulfill his April obligation, which has caused a problem,” Owen explained. “We’re working on a solution. I believe we’ll be able to work through it and make it happen in June.”
Owen also hinted that GFL may move away from California for its debut.
“I don’t foresee the event taking place in California, but we absolutely will keep pushing forward,” he added. “I think we’re going to have to push the dates to June 15 and 16. I’ll confirm ASAP. It’s been a frustrating week, but I think there’s a solution in place.”
Notable announced matchups on the two cards included a trilogy bout between former UFC champion Renan Barāo and UFC Hall of Famer Urijah Faber, the revival of the rivalry between former WEC/UFC champs Benson Henderson and Anthony Pettis, a meeting between former UFC champ Holly Holm and former Bellator champ Julia Budd, as well as Dillon Danis facing UFC legend Tony Ferguson. There were plenty more fighters signed to the GFL including ex-UFC champion Chris Weidman, who actually planned to retire before receiving an offer to sign with the promotion in hopes he could finally earn a rematch against Luke Rockhold — another fighter signed to the roster.
With the promotion’s debut officially delayed and no confirmed date or venue in place, the future of GFL is now clouded in uncertainty. Fans and fighters alike are waiting to see if the ambitious promotion can regroup and deliver on the hype it initially promised.
