The latest promotion to enter the MMA space is the Global Fight League (GFL) with a team-based format featuring many ex-UFC fighters.
Founder Darren Owen joined The Ariel Helwani Show on Wednesday to formally reveal the concept, which is scheduled to launch next April. The concept was conceived in 2021 as the World Fight League and has since changed its name.
The GFL is launching with a team-based format with fifteen shows scheduled between April and August 2025 followed by three playoff events including the finals in November.
The roster is bolstered by many former UFC fighters including former champions Tyron Woodley, Fabricio Werdum, Junior dos Santos, Anthony Pettis, Luke Rockhold, Benson Henderson, and Andrei Arlovski.
Other notable names listed include Wanderlei Silva, Alexander Gustafsson, Hector Lombard, Kevin Lee, Gegard Mousasi, Will Brooks, and Jeremy Stephens.
Owen explained that there would be six teams consisting of 20 fighters per team with a draft to distribute fighters across its weight classes and each team possessing two fighters per weight division.
The seasonal format will award four points for a finish, three points for a decision win, two points for a draw, one point for a decision loss, and zero if you are finished. The top four teams advance to the playoff format.
The GFL has stated it will operate with exclusive contracts invoking a 50/50 revenue share with its fighters with a portion of the fighter’s purse going toward retirement and insurance funds. They are also opting not to include a fight and win bonus structure as many UFC deals are configured and will instead, pay fighters a flat fee per fight. The fighters will be included in sponsorship revenue.
Owen did not disclose any broadcast or streaming deals in place but told Helwani they are holding meetings next month and can stream on their app.
Owen previously worked as the chief operating officer for the PFL until May 2020.
The inaugural draft is scheduled for January 15 followed by the promotion’s first event on April 4.
