The buzz is real as the Global Fight League (GFL) has finally unveiled its lineup for the first two big cards of the season. Set to make waves in Los Angeles on May 24 and 25 at the iconic Shrine Auditorium, GFL promises a thrilling team-based format that is bound to captivate.
Kicking off GFL 1, the headline fight pits Urijah Faber against Renan Barao in what’s sure to be an epic trilogy showdown. The excitement doesn’t end there; GFL 2 will showcase a highly anticipated bout between Tony Ferguson and Dillon Danis. Across two action-packed days, a total of 31 bouts will see talents from every corner of the league’s teams – Los Angeles, New York, London, Dubai, Sao Paulo, and Miami – giving it their all.
Keep your eyes peeled for more details, as broadcast information and ticket sales are expected to be released in April. This season promises a fusion of MMA legends and up-and-coming stars, and GFL’s founder, Darren Owen, couldn’t be more excited. “Bringing this innovative format to Los Angeles is a dream come true. The ambiance at the Shrine Auditorium will perfectly complement our fighters’ skills and the energy of our fans,” he shared.
Adding to the intrigue, GFL has introduced a unique point system. Fighters rake in four points for a finish, three for a decision victory, two points if it’s a draw, one for a decision loss, and zilch if they lose by finish. This scoring builds up the overall team points, adding a strategic layer to every fight. The league, as noted on its site, will feature seven weight classes for men and three for women, ensuring a diverse showcase of martial arts talent. Each squad boasts two competitors per division, rounding up to 20 fighters per team.
Here’s a peek at what to expect:
GFL 1 — May 24, Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles
- Urijah Faber (LA) vs. Renan Barao (SP)
- Anthony Pettis (MIA) vs. Benson Henderson (LON)
- Holly Holm (NY) vs. Julia Budd (LON)
- Chad Mendes (LA) vs. Maike Linhares (SP)
- Derek Brunson (DUB) vs. Omari Akhmedov (DUB)
- Sage Northcutt (LA) vs. Lucas Martins (SP)
- Marlon Moraes (MIA) vs. Ray Borg (LA)
- Aspen Ladd (LA) vs. Alejandra Lara (SP)
- Robelis Despaigne (MIA) vs. Todd Duffee (DUB)
- Cat Zingano (MIA) vs. Alexa Conners (DUB)
- Neiman Gracie (NY) vs. Danny Roberts (LON)
- Jessica Penne (LA) vs. Joice Mara da Silva (SP)
- Charles Rosa (MIA) vs. Khumoyun Tukhtamurodov (DUB)
- Marisa Messer-Belenchia (NY) vs. Kelly Staddon (LON)
- Gleison Tibau (MIA) vs. Alex Oliveira (SP)
GFL 2 — May 25, Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles
- Tony Ferguson (LA) vs. Dillon Danis (NY)
- Ovince St. Preux (NY) vs. Alexander Gustafsson (LON)
- Uriah Hall (LA) vs. Douglas Lima (SP)
- Paige VanZant (MIA) vs. Randi Field (DUB)
- Louis Glismann (LA) vs. Abubakar Nurmagomedov (DUB)
- Ilima-Lei Macfarlane (LA) vs. Viviane Pereira (SP)
- Alan Belcher (NY) vs. Stuart Austin (LON)
- Thiago Santos (MIA) vs. Devin Clark (NY)
- Lorenz Larkin (LA) vs. Carlos Petruzzella (SP)
- Jimmie Rivera (NY) vs. Cameron Else (LON)
- Natalia Kuziutina (MIA) vs. Jessica Aguilar (DUB)
- Phil Hawes (NY) vs. Grant Neal (LA)
- Kai Kamaka III (NY) vs. Mike Grundy (LON)
- Da Woon Jung (LA) vs. Ronny Markes (DUB)
- Miao Ding (NY) vs. Josefine Lindgren Knutsson (LON)
So gear up for these exhilarating events and see which team will rise to the top in this revolutionary league format!
