GFL cancels first two events as uncertainty swirls around future of new MMA promotion
The GFL has reportedly cancelled its first two events, as the new MMA promotion struggles to get off the ground.
The Global Fight League, which launched earlier this year, signed numerous former UFC fighters before announcing it would stage its first two cards this spring.
The original plan was seemingly to open their inaugural season in April, but the opening events were delayed until 24 and 25 May – and now they have been cancelled entirely, per Uncrowned and MMA Fighting.
California State Athletic Commission executive director Andy Foster confirmed the news to the outlets.
Tony Ferguson, Urijah Faber, Alexander Gustafsson, Holly Holm and Anthony Pettis were among the many UFC veterans due to compete in Los Angeles.
Chad Mendes, Paige VanZant, Thiago Santos, Renan Barao and Derek Brunson were also set to be involved, among others.
It is unclear whether the events in question will be rescheduled or the GFL's opening season has collapsed entirely.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
44 minutes ago
- The Independent
The Ultimate Fighter turns 20: UFC's signature show's new season stars coaches Cormier, Sonnen
The fight between Forrest Griffin and Stephan Bonnar has been mythologized for 20 years as the one that saved UFC. The spectacular, bloody brawl so masterful — the main event on the first season of a new reality show, aired live on Spike TV — that UFC soon skyrocketed from a weakened MMA promotion potentially on the brink of new ownership into a sports and pop culture phenomenon. (And yes, a billion-dollar empire.) It's billed as the fight that forever changed UFC. Right? 'The whole thing is complete BS but I'm happy to play along,' retired UFC fighter and noted trash-talker Chael Sonnen said. 'It does get too much credit. It didn't change the world just because it was on Spike TV.' Hold up, former UFC heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier would like a word. 'I don't think it gets enough credit for what it did to the sport,' Cormier said. 'I watched that as a wrestler and I knew that I was watching something happen. I didn't know what it was. But it was something.' The two can debate the fight's spot in MMA history all they want — Griffin won the decision, but the viral attention gained by the highly entertaining bout is widely credited with exposing the little-known sport to a larger worldwide audience — since the verbal sparring is part of each fighter's appeal. What neither can deny is how the show responsible for the fight — 'The Ultimate Fighter' — has become a UFC staple and is widely regarded as one essential in the survival and eventual expansion of UFC. 'I don't know why they ever let this be called a reality show,' Sonnen said. 'I really do feel it's a miss. This is a documentation of the toughest tournament in all of sport. You will not find a harder sports process anywhere, aside from possibly the Olympic Games." Cormier and Sonnen returned as coaches in the show more commonly known as TUF's 20th anniversary year. Though the show debuted on Jan. 17, 2005, UFC counts 31 seasons of the show that has launched prospects such as Griffin and Rose Namajunas into future champions. "The Ultimate Fighter" — which airs Tuesday nights on ESPN and ESPN-plus — features Cormier and Sonnen coaching 16 men's flyweight and welterweight prospects that live and train together in Las Vegas with the winner (and sometimes the losers) earning a UFC contract. While the coaches often fight at the end of each season, Cormier and Sonnen are both retired and have shifted into broadcasting and their 'Good Guy/Bad Guy' podcast. 'The show is about the guys,' Cormier said. 'Chael and I not fighting doesn't take away from that because I think ultimately the experience for the athlete is going to be better. We aren't fighting. We can compete against each other and make them do the fighting. They ultimately do take the spotlight and it's on them, as it's supposed to be.' Sonnen coached against Wanderlei Silva and again against UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones in 2013 and was soundly defeated by the champ. Cormier was the UFC light heavyweight champion when he agreed to coach against heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic in 2017. Cormier would go on to defeat Miocic at UFC 226 and became only the second fighter to be champion in two divisions simultaneously. The move worked out for Cormier. Not so much for his students. 'They either had to do what I was doing to keep up in most instances or it felt like a failure,' Cormier said. 'They were getting hurt. They were overtraining them. When you're an athlete, you've got to be selfish. While I was still in the show, I was worried about fighting Stipe Miocic and winning the heavyweight championship. This time, I don't have that. I can literally just coach and give them my all as a coach.' Cormier wins the coin flip Cormier won a coin flip and drafted first last week in the first episode and picked Brazilian fighter Eduardo Henrique. Sonnen would draft Diego Bianchini — a fighter appropriately known as 'The Brazilian Bad Boy.' 'Once you get inside here,' UFC President Dana White told the fight prospects, 'this competition is an absolute pressure cooker. But don't forget why you came here and what the prize is at the end of this.' Cormier was surely glad more fights and episodes are ahead — Henrique was choked out by Sonnen's Joseph Morales. The days of having to save UFC are long over. The thrill of winning TUF and earning that contract continue into the show's next decade. 'That ending still feels special,' Cormier said. 'You win the tournament, you get a contract. That's what makes 'The Ultimate Fighter' work. That's why it's worked for 20 years.' ___
Daily Mirror
4 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
UFC veteran opens up on 'brutal' exit after Dana White's criticism
Jairzinho Rozenstruik found himself on the wrong end of a brutal cut from the UFC earlier this year, with Dana White wasting no time in showing him the exit door Former UFC heavyweight contender Jairzinho Rozenstruik has revealed that he discovered his release from the UFC online, before being told by the promotion. The 37-year-old was let go by the UFC just days after his most recent fight - a unanimous decision loss to Sergei Pavlovich in February. Following the dust-up, UFC boss Dana White didn't mince words about the fight, labelling it 'horrible,' and the only one booed throughout the night. As Rozenstruik was returning home after the painful defeat, White felt compelled to release the Suriname-born fighter from the company. When asked on a recent episode of the Ariel Helwani Show if he had any regrets about leaving the UFC, 'Bigi Boy' responded: "No I did not. "I had a good run with the UFC and they weren't bad to me. The way they cut me was dirty, but, as I say, if there is no need for each other to work together anymore, then we have to move on. But I can't say anything bad of the UFC." The MMA veteran elaborated on his comment about his 'dirty' dismissal. "For example, I flew down from Saudi Arabia, which is a long trip," the 37-year-old detailed. "I came home tired, I went to bed, there was a big time difference so I was sleeping during the day, and I got several phone calls. So [my cut] was on the internet before I knew of it, put it that way." He added: "For me it was surprising and I really don't know what the reason was, or what the reason is. So I just move on from what I left there in the UFC, it was a great time and run, and I'm just moving forward." Addressing whether his fighting style might have led to his release, Rozenstruik responded: "I'm a fighter, not a computer. You don't put a system and then you expect to do what you like. "It's a fight - every fight is different. You have to react to what the opponent is doing. I'm looking for my opportunities. I will not run in there and get robbed by something that I didn't see coming. I have my own way of fighting, so you have to give me the task to make it happen - that's how I see it." During his stint with the UFC, Rozenstruik secured a commendable 9:6 record, with eight knockouts among those nine victories. The former UFC heavyweight star has notable wins over Andrei Arlovski, Alistair Overeem, Junior dos Santos, Shamil Gaziev, and fan-favourite Tai Tuivasa. His unexpected exit from the UFC left many supporters stunned, given his strong performance history. Rozenstruik has since joined Dirty Boxing, a venture partly owned by UFC heavyweight champ Jon Jones and Mike Perry. The promotion's next event is set for June 14 in Miami, featuring a headline heavyweight bout between Rozenstruik and Devon Schwan.
The Independent
7 hours ago
- The Independent
Maycee Barber speaks out after suspected seizure moments before UFC main event
Maycee Barber has spoken out after suffering a suspected seizure just moments before her planned UFC fight with Erin Blanchfield on Saturday. Fifth-ranked Barber and fourth-ranked Blanchfield were due to meet in a flyweight main event at the UFC Apex, but the bout in Las Vegas was derailed at the last possible moment. Barber, 27, was rendered unable to face Blanchfield, 26, after going through a medical emergency that reportedly involved a seizure. That followed her failed weigh-in on Friday (30 May). And Blanchfield offered her fellow American little sympathy during a press conference after the Fight Night, saying: 'She needs to look at another division. She needs to fix her life. She needs to just fix herself. I think she's a complete mess in every aspect of her entire life. 'I've never even had any other opponents miss weight before or act the way she does. It's pretty crazy, especially at this level. You expect all the athletes to be professional, so it's pretty wild. No, I would not want to book another fight with her. 'I would like to reassess, see who's available. I still want to fight within the top five, still push towards that title fight. I think I need to talk to my manager, talk to Mick [Maynard, UFC matchmaker], see what can happen. 'I was literally in the doorway, already had everything gloved up, my corner [team] were ready to go. Literally in the doorway, like getting ready to walk out, and then was told [the fight was off]. I remember they said 'six minutes', and I was like: 'This feels like a lot longer.' 'It didn't feel like six minutes. No one said anything until Hunter [Campbell, UFC CBO] came in and told me she was having a seizure and that she wouldn't be able to compete.' Barber then addressed the matter on Sunday (1 June), writing on Instagram: 'Not what I had planned for a Sunday post. Thank you to everyone for the prayers & support. 'I owe an apology to @ufc @mickmaynard2 @danawhite @seanshelby & @blanchfield_mma. PS my life is not messy this is just a bad hand. We will get to the bottom of it all and be back.' She added on Tuesday: 'Going home with a heavy heart. But FAITH IN GOD that He will give me strength, clarity, and comfort through this journey.' Barber did not, however, confirm that she had suffered a seizure, though Blanchfield claimed Campbell had used that word. Barber's words on each Instagram post were accompanied by several photos, including images of her in hospital and on a stretcher. Blanchfield was paid show and win money after Saturday's fight cancellation, as well as 20 per cent of Barber's show money due to the latter's failed weigh-in.
