This Friday will bring the inaugural fighter draft for the Global Fight League (GFL), and this space has you covered on everything you need to know before the historic event.
The UFC has dominated the MMA landscape for the last 20 years. However, on occasion, new promotions emerge looking to offer an alternative to the No. 1 company in the industry. That is the case when it comes to the GFL, which will kick off its first year in existence in April.
Related: 10 UFC And MMA Greats You May Not Realize Will Soon Be Fighting For New GFL Promotion In 2025
Similar to their competitor the Professional Fighters League, GFL will present a season format. However, unlike PFL they will bring a team concept to the MMA masses this year. And just like the NFL, NBA, and MLB, the league will have a draft to fill the rosters of their six teams.
The first-ever GFL fighter draft takes place this Friday at 8 PM ET. And will be live-streamed across the brand’s X, Instagram, Facebook, Twitch, and YouTube (live stream below) accounts. It is also available on the social media accounts for DAZN and PPV.com, the Triller TV app, and Rumble.
GFL will feature a star-studded fighter pool and teams from New York and Dubai
Heading into their first season, the GFL offers a roster overflowing with former UFC, PFL, Bellator, and WSOF champions. Former UFC titlists Tyron Woodley, Anthony Pettis, Junior Dos Santos, and Fabricio Werdum are on the roster. PFL heavyweight champions Ali Isaev and Phillipe Lins, Bellator titlists Ilima Lei-MacFarlane and Douglas Lima, and former WSOF bantamweight champ Marlon Moraes.
The GFL draft pool also includes UFC greats Alexander Gustafsson, Alexi Oleynik, Paige VanZant, Thiago Santos, Chad Mendes, and Gegard Mousasi.
The league will feature teams from London, New York, Dubai, Miami, Los Angeles, and Sao Paulo and each will select fighters for eight different weight classes. Below you can get a rundown of the legendary fighters and coaches overseeing each squad making draft picks on Friday.
- 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
Related: GFL Reveals Team Coaches And Addition Of More Former UFC Greats To Roster, Including Shogun Rua