The promotion, which is looking to run a team-based competition through 2025, with six teams based in major cities across the world, will see those teams draft fighter rosters from a growing list of talent.
The list, which includes up-and-coming prospects and ageing former stars of the sport, was further bolstered with the addition of seven more notable names.
Former UFC champions Mauricio “Shogun” Rua and Renan Barao, former Bellator champion Douglas Lima and ex-UFC title challengers Yoel Romero, Chad Mendes and Ovince Saint-Preux are on the list, as is heavyweight Todd Duffee. More additions are expected in the lead-up to the GFL Draft.
We also learned the location of the six cities that will play host to the league’s inaugural teams, with London, Los Angeles, New York, Miami, Dubai and Sao Paulo all named as teams in the first-ever Global Fight League.
Also announced were several of the teams’ managers and head coaches:
LONDON
Manager: Luke Barnatt
Coach: Carl Prince
LOS ANGELES
Manager: Wanderlei Silva
Coach: Rafael Cordeiro
NEW YORK
Manager: TBC
Coach: Ray Longo
MIAMI
Manager: Thiago Alves
Coach: Conan Silveira
DUBAI
Manager: Cain Velasquez
Coach: Javier Mendez
SAO PAULO
Manager: Lyoto Machida
Coach: Andre Pederneiras
The first-ever GFL Draft is scheduled to take place on January 24 in Phoenix, Arizona, where the manager-coach partners will draft the fighters that will compete for their respective teams in the coming season.
“This league is built on respect for the sport’s history and a vision for its future,” said GFL commissioner Darren Owen.
“Our cities, managers, and coaches reflect the very best of MMA, and our draft will kick off an unforgettable first season.”
