Tag Archives: gfl

Tyron Woodley First of 120 Elite MMA Athletes Selected in Inaugural Global Fight League Draft

Former world champion welterweight Tyron Woodley made history tonight as the first selection in the six team, 20 round inaugural Global Fight League (GFL) Draft, which took place virtually from Van Wagner Studios in Phoenix. Woodley was selected by Dubai manager Cain Velasquez and coach Javier Mendez, and was followed in the first round by lightweight Sage Northcutt (Los Angeles), middleweight Gegard Mousasi (London), heavyweight Junior Dos Santos (Miami), heavyweight Fabricio Werdum (São Paulo) and lightweight Kevin Lee (New York). London selected strawweight Josefine Knutsson in the third round, the first woman selected in the co-ed league and one of five women chosen in the first four rounds of the draft.

The new team-based MMA organization launching in April 2025 had its six teams: Dubai, London, Los Angeles, Miami, New York and São Paulo, complete their initial rosters during the three hour livestreamed event.

The complete draft list per round and by weight class can be seen at the following link:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1qjJY06fZ_E4X8OOJu_2Q0pHjnQ0Oz-iBHLHwjtysF6Y/edit?usp=sharing

Additional details for the league will be available in the weeks to come.

Global Fight League Unveils Details For Friday’s Virtual Draft

The Global Fight League (GFL), the new team-based MMA organization launching in April 2025, today announced additional details for the first-ever GFL Virtual Draft, which will take place this Friday, January 24th, at 8 PM EST. Fans worldwide catch tune in to watch the selection LIVE on MMA GFL’s official platforms: Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and Twitch, plus the show will also air on the social channels of DAZN and PPV.com, the Triller TV app, and Rumble. The list of selection eligible athletes can be at www.mmagfl.com/athletes

Broadcast live from Van Wagner Studios in Phoenix, the GFL Draft will feature Founder and Commissioner Darren Owen with insights from renowned MMA analysts and personalities: Robin Black, Caroline Pearce, Alex Wendling, Mike Goldberg, and Brendan Schaub, all revealing selections for six inaugural teams—Dubai, London, Los Angeles, Miami, New York and São Paulo. There will also beinsights from team managers and coaches:

  • Dubai: Manager Cain Velasquez with Coach Javier Mendez
  • London: Manager Luke Barnatt with Coach Carl Prince
  • Los Angeles: Manager Wanderlei Silva with Coach Rafael Cordeiro
  • Miami: Manager Thiago Alves with Coach Conan Silveira
  • New York: Coach Ray Longo; Manager TBD
  • São Paulo: Manager Lyoto Machida with Coach Andre Pederneiras

The GFL enters Friday’s selection with over 420 athletes from 67 countries competing for 120 coveted roster spots, featuring a mix of MMA legends and rising stars such as Tyron Woodley, Paige VanZant, Anthony Pettis,Yoel Romero, Mauricio Rua, Ilima-Lei MacFarlane, Junior Dos Santos, Aspen Ladd and Marlon Moraes, who also serves as Head of the GFL Athlete Association. Athletes not selected in the draft will remain eligible for GFL competition in 2025, but will not be exclusively bound to competing in the inaugural season.

Additional details for the league will be available in the weeks following this Friday’s Draft Event.

Global Fight League Unveils Six Inaugural Cities, Marquee Team Managers and Coaches, MMA Legends

The Global Fight League (GFL) is proud to announce the six cities that will serve as the foundation for its inaugural season, along with a roster of world-class team managers, coaches, and the next wave of notable draft eligible-athletes. The first-ever GFL Draft will be held in Phoenix, Arizona, and streamed live on Friday, January 24, 2025 at 8 pm EST. Details on where and how to watch will be announced in the coming days.

Six Inaugural Cities and Legendary Leadership

The inaugural GFL cities and their leadership teams represent a convergence of MMA’s past, present, and future:

  • Los Angeles: Known as a hub and home for world-class gyms and athletes, this city will be led by Manager Wanderlei Silva and Coach Rafael Cordeiro, a legendary duo synonymous with Brazilian MMA excellence.
  • New York: Home to the most sports fans in the world, New York embodies history and grit. Led by legendary Coach Ray Longo, renowned for training champions, the team’s manager will be announced soon.
  • Miami: Where cultural vibrancy meets fight tradition, Miami thrives under Manager Thiago Alves and Coach Conan Silveira, icons of Brazilian and American MMA with roots in the legendary American Top Team.
  • São Paulo: São Paulo embodies the rich heritage of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Vale Tudo—the very foundations of modern MMA—guided by former champion Manager Lyoto Machida and legendary Coach André Pederneiras, who has shaped many of the sport’s most iconic athletes.
  • London: Europe’s combat sports capital, London combines tradition and innovation under the leadership of Manager Luke Barnatt and Coach Carl Prince, who bring local and international expertise.
  • Dubai: The rising fight capital of the world, Dubai brings global prestige to the league with Manager Cain Velasquez and Coach Javier Mendez, two legends with a proven track record of creating champions.

Deep, Talented, and Championship Caliber Athlete Draft Pool

The GFL Draft pool is stacked with talent, highlighting a blend of MMA legends and emerging stars. New confirmed names include:

  • Mauricio “Shogun” Rua
  • Yoel Romero
  • Chad Mendes
  • Renan Barao
  • Douglas Lima
  • Ovince Saint Preux
  • Todd Duffee

Additional athletes will be revealed in the days leading up to the Draft, promising a competitive lineup that spans continents and showcases the league’s global reach.
Live Draft Event: January 24, 2025

The first-ever GFL Draft will take place live on January 24, 2025, setting the stage for an innovative team-based competition model in MMA. Managers and coaches will select athletes to represent their cities, creating rosters that blend veteran expertise with emerging talent.

“This league is built on respect for the sport’s history and a vision for its future,” said Darren Owen, GFL Commissioner. “Our cities, managers, and coaches reflect the very best of MMA, and our draft will kick off an unforgettable first season.”