Global Fight League Reveals Team-Based Format, Roster with Multiple Ex-UFC Champs

Global Fight League regular season begins in April.#HelwaniShow pic.twitter.com/Dz28thyBvG

— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) December 11, 2024

If it all comes to fruition, the Global Fight League could be an interesting new addition to the mixed martial arts landscape.

On Wednesday, promotion founder Darren Owen announced plans to launch a team-based MMA league with a season format beginning in April 2025. According to a release, the league will feature six teams in “major global markets.” There will be a draft on Jan. 24 to select the fighters to represent each team. The launch of the league was initially announced on the Ariel Helwani Show.

"Our new league is a logical evolution for MMA," Owen said in a release. "Our mission is to embrace fighters as true equitable partners from inception and, together, create a format that can be understood by any sports fan. I've had hundreds of conversations with MMA legends and rising stars and our business plan is an extension of what I have heard from fighters who want a new way to compete and excel in the world's fastest growing sport.”

The roster thus far features a number of notable names, including eight former UFC champions: Tyron Woodley, Fabricio Werdum, Anthony Pettis, Junior dos Santos, Luke Rockhold, Frank Mir, Andrei Arlovski and Benson Henderson.

There are also a number of athletes on board who held titles in other major organizations: Gegard Mousasi, Wanderlei Silva, Rafael Carvalho, Lance Palmer, Will Brooks and Marlon Moraes. Moraes will also serve as head of the GFL’s athlete association.

"This is a new chapter for fighters,” Moraes stated. “The GFL is built on fairness, respect, and opportunity. Fighters now have a voice and a stake in the sport's future."

A bigger list#HelwaniShow pic.twitter.com/Q3eonU0v4e

— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) December 11, 2024

According to a release, “the GFL is pioneering a 50% event-specific revenue share model that ensures athletes benefit from the league's success. This revolutionary structure prioritizes fighters' financial security and professional well-being.”

Additionally, the GFL’s fighter-centric model is expected to include fighter health and injury insurance as well as a “structured retirement fund.” The GFL plans to take steps to improve fighter health and safety by eliminating extreme weight-cutting practices.

Similar to Professional Fighters League, the GFL will utilize a scoring system for its bouts. Fighters will earn four points for a finish, three for a decision win, two for a draw, one for a decision loss and zero for a defeat via finish. The points will contribute to each team’s total score. The GFL website currently lists seven weight classes for men — heavyweight, light heavyweight, middleweight, welterweight, lightweight, featherweight and bantamweight — and three weight classes for women — bantamweight, flyweight and strawweight. Each team will have two fighters from each division, giving them 20 overall.