
The Global Fight League (GFL) is hoping to provide an alternative to the UFC. The promotion with a team-based format will kick things off in 2025 with an upcoming draft from their pool of fighters. Officials for the GFL have put together quite the roster so far. And it is loaded with some big names many long-time MMA fight fans will be familiar with.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at 10 UFC and MMA greats fans may not realize are competing for the newly formed GFL in 2025.
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Paige VanZant

The social media queen, Paige VanZant turned 30 this year and is definitely starting to show her age. However, you cannot underestimate the importance she brings in terms of viewers and a following. VanZant owns an 8-5 record in MMA including three submissions and two knockouts. She has also competed in boxing and bare-knuckle fighting, going a combined 0-2-1.
Fabricio Werdum

The 47-year-old former UFC heavyweight champion has not competed since 2023 when he lost a split decision to fellow GFL competitor Junior dos Santos. But Fabricio Werdum is one of the biggest names on the roster, as his appeal spans multiple decades and continents. During his career, he recorded 24 wins. Including victories over Alexander Gustafsson, Travis Browne, Cain Velasquez, Mark Hunt, and Fedor Emelianenko.
Related: GFL Roster Loaded With Former UFC Champs! Can They Compete With UFC in 2025?
Alexander Gustafsson

Forever linked to Jon Jones and their 2013 classic for the UFC light heavyweight title Alexander Gustafsson has a strong international appeal. He left the sport in 2022 after a loss to Nikita Krylov in his return to light heavyweight following a failed run at heavyweight.
Overall, “The Mauler” owns an MMA record of 18-8 with 11 knockout wins. He has finished the likes of former UFC champ Glover Teixeira, Jimi Manuwa, and Matt Hamil.
Luke Rockhold

Another former UFC champion, Luke Rockhold has not scored a victory in MMA since 2017 when he stopped David Branch. Since that time, he has dropped three fights, with two finishes. The last time Rockhold competed inside the cage was in 2022 when he fell to Paulo Costa via decision. He has competed once in Karate Combat and another time in Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship.
Read more: GFL Reveals Team Coaches And Addition Of More Former UFC Greats To Roster, Including Shogun Rua
Benson Henderson

Benson “Smooth” Henderson is the owner of 30 career wins inside the cage. Including being a former UFC and WEC champion. He stepped away from competing to focus on coaching following a 2023 loss to Usman Nurmagomedov in a Bellator lightweight title fight. During his career, Henderson has bested the likes of Patricio Pitbull, Jorge Masvidal, Gilbert Melendez, Nate Diaz, and Frankie Edgar.
Tyron Woodley

Most recently, Tyron Woodley has made headlines for his boxing matches with Jake Paul. But the 42-year-old is a former UFC champion and two-time NCAA All-American in wrestling. And Woodley successfully defended the UFC welterweight crown four times. His last MMA match came in 2021 when he was submitted by Vicente Luque, suffering a fourth consecutive defeat.
Related: UFC Vet Turned Social Media Star Paige VanZant Returning To MMA With Major New Company
Anthony Pettis

Another former UFC and WEC champion, Anthony Pettis is probably best known for his kick off the cage against Henderson in the now-defunct WEC. “Showtime” has been around the block, taking on many of the top names the sport has had to offer over the years.
The soon-to-be 38-year-old last fought in 2022 when he was defeated by Stevie Ray while competing for PFL. He has also fought in Karate Combat, defeating Henderson (again), and twice in boxing, with one of those being against the legendary Roy Jones Jr.
Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua

One of the GFL’s more recent signings, Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, is now 43 years old and best known for classic battles over the years in both the UFC and PRIDE. He held the UFC light heavyweight championship and captured PRIDE’s Middleweight Grand Prix in 2005.
Rua’s last official MMA fight came in 2023 when he was stopped by Ihor Potieria, suffering a third straight loss. His last win came in 2020 over Antonio Rogerio Nogueira.
Douglas Lima

Another new signing for the GFL, Douglas Lima, is a three-time Bellator welterweight champion. And he co-owns and operates American Top Team – Team Lima in Georgia with his brother, Dhiego, Lima. The 37-year-old lost his last fight in September of last year to Aaron Jeffery via decision. He owns wins over division greats like Rory MacDonald, Michael Page, and Paul Daley.
Yoel Romero

The 2000 Olympic silver medalist in wrestling, Yoel Romero, is also a former world champion in the sport and claimed gold at the 2003 Pan American Games. And the 47-year-old Cuban challenged for titles in both the UFC and Bellator MMA. Romero made his most recent MMA appearance last February, falling to Thiago Santos. he is 16-7 overall with 13 wins via knockout.
Related: New Competitor To UFC Reveals Official Roster, Features 8 Former UFC Champs Including Tyron Woodley