When the International Battle League was first introduced again in 2024, there was loads of skepticism connected the promotion largely attributable to vital variety of outstanding fighters signed to contracts to not point out a virtually similar idea being introduced three years earlier that by no means acquired off the bottom.
Again in 2021, former World Collection of Combating government Darren Owen introduced plans to launch a team-based format referred to as the WFL. Time handed, and the promotion by no means held a single occasion, however Owen returned in 2024 with an eerily related plan for the GFL, besides this time, a slew of fighters have been signed to contracts, together with quite a few ex-UFC champions resembling Tyron Woodley, Luke Rockhold, and Chris Weidman.
However virtually as shortly because the GFL introduced plans for a two-night launch with a pair of playing cards set for Los Angeles, the exhibits have been cancelled and critical doubts have been raised about whether or not or not the fledgling promotion would ever get off the bottom.
“It type of sucks,” retired UFC welterweight Matt Brown mentioned on the most recent episode of The Fighter vs. The Author. “I really feel like we’ve learn this e book earlier than. We’ve seen this entire story earlier than.”
Sadly, quite a lot of MMA promotions have come and gone over time, however GFL by no means even managed to get to the beginning line with the primary two exhibits already cancelled.
Whereas Owen mentioned in a press release that he’s nonetheless in search of funding to launch the GFL someday in 2025, loads of the fighters concerned with the promotion have successfully already jumped ship.
Paige VanZant launched a message on Instagram saying “free agent,” and ex-UFC fighter and former BKFC champion Alan Belcher revealed that the GFL made guarantees to e book him for a combat however solely on the situation that he would earn a “income share and stuff if I might combat for not a assured purse.”
“What a shit present,” Brown mentioned in regards to the GFL. “It sucks as a result of we do want extra promotions on the market I feel. I feel there must be extra competitors on the market. There must be somebody to step up, however it’s only a robust f*cking enterprise mannequin. I don’t know if it’s ever going to occur, possibly ever. We are able to discuss issues that would want to occur for that to occur. It doesn’t look good on any entrance.
“I don’t know the way they get traders to do that. If you happen to’re going to open a enterprise and also you’re searching for an funding, you present some type of proof of idea. You do your market analysis, all these items. Are these traders even what occurs? This can be a widespread story. We’ve learn this e book earlier than.”
Promised paydays for GFL have been by no means reported, however a number of athletes spoke out in regards to the astronomical charges they have been set to earn, which at the least partially defined how so many outstanding names signed with the promotion earlier than a single occasion was held.
With solely so many choices out there outdoors of the UFC, Brown understands why fighters would possibly take an opportunity on GFL however on the similar time he at all times had critical doubts and he’s unsure why there wasn’t extra due diligence performed by the managers representing the athletes.
“I don’t know the way anyone fell for it,” Brown mentioned. “Hopefully, they determine one thing out. There’s not an entire lot to even say about it. We’ve learn this e book so many occasions, and we’re similar to, I simply hope all of the fighters acknowledge what it was.
“In the event that they didn’t, it’s in all probability due to their shit ass managers. The f*cking managers on this sport are the worst. That’s the largest drawback after we discuss issues like this.”
Whereas Brown concedes there are “completely some good folks” representing fighters in fight sports activities, he’s additionally personally seen the opposite aspect of the game after spending 15 years within the UFC.
In fact, Brown additionally acknowledges that he was lucky to spend the overwhelming majority of his profession with the largest group in MMA however he is aware of that received’t be the case for a lot of fighters. That’s why he truly hopes promotions like PFL discover success in the long term however he additionally is aware of the UFC would possibly find yourself because the final promotion standing it doesn’t matter what.
“I want anyone would get it collectively,” Brown mentioned. “It’s not an excellent enterprise. Any person must do it.
“You’ve acquired to present props to Dana [White] and firm. They took over the f*cking sport and so they constructed it from nothing, roughly, and so they’re a powerhouse. There’s no room on the market for lots of promotions. There’s not even room for it. The UFC is the f*cking monster.”
