Athletes From All Six Global Teams To Participate in the Two Day Card, The Most Unique and Diverse in MMA History
The Global Fight League is legit. The GFL has significant investors after closing a multi-million-dollar seed round, it hosted a successful virtual draft, and it just announced an inaugural six-event regular season launching in on Saturday, May 24, and Sunday, May 25, with a two-day, six-team matchup at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. The Sports Techie community blog is honored to introduce the GFL to our international readers and followers. All six global co-ed Mixed Martial Arts teams are based in Los Angeles, New York, London, Dubai, São Paulo, and Miami and scheduled to compete across 31 bouts, over two days in Southern California. Look for ten different weight classes on the impressive fight cards full of past MMA and UFC legends ready to make history once again. Proven fighters on the stacked fight card for the inaugural season include superstars Tony Ferguson, Dillon Danis, Paige VanZant, Holly Holm, Urijah Faber, Anthony Pettis, Chad Mendes, and Alexander Gustaffson. Sports Technology will play a significant role in GFL growth. Broadcast and streaming details will be announced later in April.
“We are thrilled to bring this innovative, team-based format—featuring both MMA legends and rising stars—to the Shrine Auditorium in May,” said Darren Owen, GFL Founder. “The atmosphere of this iconic venue is perfect for our athletes and fans, who will experience an electrifying event that showcases the world-class talent of our teams.”
GFL Business Model
Launching in April 2025, the GFL plans to redefine the business model and enhance competition in MMA. Athletes are integral partners, benefiting from a 50% revenue-sharing model and competing for glory as part of co-ed teams representing fight-centric cities worldwide. The GFL is reimagining the business of combat sports for the 21st century.
The GFL’s pioneering 50% event-specific revenue share model ensures athletes benefit from the league’s success. This revolutionary structure prioritizes fighters’ financial security and professional well-being making it a win-win for the GFL and their fairly compensated fighters. The GFL is committed to providing unparalleled financial benefits while prioritizing fighter health and safety.
Additionally, the league will actively work to eliminate extreme weight-cutting practices to foster a healthier and more sustainable environment for athletes. This initiative reflects the league’s commitment to protecting its athletes and promoting longevity in their careers.
First GFL Season Event
Tickets to the Los Angeles premiere go on sale in April, with additional cities and venues to be announced soon. The GFL will also unveil its six team names and identities in the coming weeks, giving fans a first look at the future of team-based MMA.
Matchups by Day include:
Saturday, May 24 – Day 1 (1:30 PM PST / 4:30 PM EST)
Los Angeles vs. São Paulo (BW) – Urijah Faber vs. Renan Barão
Los Angeles vs. São Paulo (FW) – Chad Mendes vs. Maike Linhares
New York vs. London (LW) – Anthony Pettis vs. Benson Henderson
New York vs. London (WBW) – Holly Holm vs. Julia Budd
Miami vs. Dubai (BW) – Marlon Moraes vs. Ray Borg
Miami vs. Dubai (WBW) – Alexa Conners vs. Cat Zingano
Sunday, May 25 – Day 2 (1:30 PM PST / 4:30 PM EST)
* Los Angeles vs. New York (LW) – Tony Ferguson vs. Dillon Danis
Los Angeles vs. São Paulo (MW) – Uriah Hall vs. Douglas Lima
Los Angeles vs. São Paulo (SW) – Ilima-Lei Macfarlane vs. Viviane Pereira
New York vs. London (LHW) – Alexander Gustafsson vs. Ovince Saint Preux
New York vs. London (HW ) – Alan Belcher vs. Stuart Austin
Miami vs. Dubai (WSW) – Paige VanZant vs. Randi Field
Miami vs. Dubai (LW) – Louis Glismann vs. Abu Nurmagomedov
*As part of the league’s regular season, this marquee lightweight matchup between Los Angeles’ Tony Ferguson and New York’s Dillon Danis serves as the perfect lead-in to the highly anticipated New York showdown this June.
GFL team managers and coaches:
● Dubai: Manager Cain Velasquez with Coach Javier Mendez
● London: Manager Luke Barnatt with Coach Carl Prince
● Los Angeles: Manager Wanderlei Silva with Coach Rafael Cordeiro
● Miami: Manager Thiago Alves with Coach Conan Silveira
● New York: Coach Ray Longo; Manager TBD
● São Paulo: Manager Lyoto Machida with Coach Andre Pederneiras
GFL Sports Tech
Sports tech has an important role in the GFL’s image, branding and operations, as well as the virtual draft.
- Silverside AI, San Francisco-based artificial intelligence
innovation lab, announced its partnership with the Global Fight League, a new team-based MMA league, marking a groundbreaking collaboration that will revolutionize how combat sports are presented and promoted through AI technology. - The Global Fight League announced an exclusive partnership with Box to Box, the Emmy-winning production company behind sports storytelling hits such as “Formula 1: Drive to Survive,” “Faceoff: Inside the NHL,” and “Sprint.” In this new partnership, Box to Box will collaborate with the GFL on content creation and ideation, from a flagship docuseries to dynamic digital features, live event broadcasts, and in-depth athlete profiles into and through the first season, in April.
- The GFL, announced the first-ever GFL Virtual Draft, which took place on Friday, January 24th, at 8 PM EST. Fans worldwide tuned in to watch the selections LIVE on MMA GFL’s official platforms: Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and Twitch, plus the show also aired on the social channels of DAZN and PPV.com, the Triller TV app, and Rumble. The list of selection eligible athletes can be at www.mmagfl.com/athletes The broadcast was live from Van Wagner Studios in Phoenix. The GFL Draft featured Founder and Commissioner Darren Owen with insights from renowned MMA analysts and personalities: Robin Black, Caroline Pearce, Alex Wendling, Mike Goldberg, and Brendan Schaub, all revealing selections for six inaugural teams—Dubai, London, Los Angeles, Miami, New York and São Paulo. There was also insights from team managers and coaches.
Sports Techie, with MMA’s undeniable global popularity, the GFL is the natural progression of a sport that transcends borders. By combining a team-based league model with a commitment to athlete equity, the GFL aims to help the MMA industry innovate and set a new gold standard in professional sports.
Yet, with all the momentum, the GFL has doubters like UFC founder Dana White, an outspoken billionaire.
The UFC reminds me of the NFL, you could argue they are both monopolies which are illegal in the United States. Is the GFL a true contender in the MMA space. Ask yourself if the UFL or CFL are considered rivals of the NFL.
When the MLS began in 1996, no one thought it would be as popular a soccer league as it is today, but it is, complete with Messi, also an aged superstar. Can the GFL stay afloat with older MMA fighters and it’s unique revenue sharing plan?
One thing is clear, the fan appetite for MMA across America and the world is large and steady. UFC has delivered over 700 events while the GFL is just getting started in L.A. with season and event number one.
The odds are probably pretty big that the GFL will struggle after an initial buzz.
My advice to the GFL is to stick to what you know and pile on the sports technologies.
Fight on.
See you later sportstechie in Seattle, Atlanta and around the world!
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