It’s been a while since we’ve watched a fight promotion implode spectacularly, but that may be what we’re witnessing with the Global Fight League (GFL).
News came out late last night (Wed., Apr. 9th, 2025) that the GFL’s first two events scheduled for May 24th and May 25th were being cancelled. Or should we say delayed? GFL head Darren Owen — who’s history includes a four year stint as a PFL executive — has vowed to soldier on and get things going for June 15 / 16.
There’s a lot of fans that are skeptical the promotion’s debut ever comes together. GFL has been promising over-the-hill fighters big money paychecks, and the economics just never added up. Now they’re having issues with one of their secret investors, and plan to leave California for their debut. Is it because of the California State Athletic Commission’s strict rules ensuring promoters can pay fighters their purses?
We would never speculate. But there’s plenty of people on X (formerly Twitter) who will. Here’s some of the most interesting reactions to the GFL’s opening weekend fight cancellations.
GFL has canceled its first two events, scheduled for May 24 and 25 in Los Angeles, per multiple sources and confirmed by CSAC executive director Andy Foster.
There are serious doubts about the future of the promotion.
Reached out to founder Darren Owen but no reply at this…
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) April 10, 2025
*GFL signs every fighter on the planet under the age of 55*
*reports from a heavyweight fighter saying he signed with GFL for 1.4 million a fight*
*GFL announces Tony Ferguson vs Dillon Danis and locked in their first event venue and licenses*
The GFL on Wednesday: pic.twitter.com/nWozVWDeiP
— MacMally (@MacMallyMMA) April 10, 2025
Saw the GFL update. I was surprised that people took it seriously. The stuff I heard always made it seem like a total amateur hour fake-it-until-you-make-it operation. If MMA folks were hoodwinked by the big promises, that sucks.
— Josh Gross (@yay_yee) April 10, 2025
If you’re not listening to Miguel Itturate & Todd Atkins on their weekly show, you really are missing out.
Even the best case scenario for GFL didn’t sound plausible. https://t.co/JheUBLXret
— Fight Opinion (@FightOpinion) April 10, 2025
Damn I’m sad for all these fighters who committed to the GFL and now are stuck in this weird position. Hopefully things can get figured out here soon.
— Sergio Pettis (@sergiopettis) April 10, 2025
Darren Owen of @mmagfl has severely damaged the careers of many fighters with his GFL hoax.
For example, I know of at least 6 PFL fighters who were released to sign with GFL. These fighters were to be in the PFL Tournament. 2 guaranteed fights & chance at $500,000 bonus.— FightOracle ™ (@fightoracle) April 10, 2025
Deal breaker was Darren Owen/GFL wanting to pay the fighters 3 days AFTER the event. That’s not how prize fighting works. No commission would sign off on that. https://t.co/l7xFtlw3D6
— FightOracle ™ (@fightoracle) April 10, 2025
Building global MMA company … Easy to talk, hard to do … @PFLMMA delivered premium product 7 years, 110 events, $225m fighter purses paid #PFLMMA
— Donn Davis (@DonnDavisPFL) April 10, 2025
Bro I just wanna fucking fight. wtf.
— Dillon Danis (@dillondanis) April 10, 2025
Just got word, don’t believe everything you hear. My fight with Tony Ferguson is still on.
— Dillon Danis (@dillondanis) April 10, 2025
What do you think, Maniacs? Is there any way the GFL can recover from this disastrous news, or is the Geriatric Fight League down for the count?
This story originally appeared on MMA Mania
