International Battle League simply hit its first setback.
In December, a brand new participant emerged within the MMA house when International Battle League (GFL) introduced its intentions to carry a team-based MMA league to market in 2025. The idea is that the preliminary season will characteristic six groups “based mostly in main world markets” comprised of 20 fighters, two representatives every throughout 10 weight lessons. Now, one of many deliberate companions is out.
United Battle League (UFL) is an Arizona-based promotion that began in 2023 and was poised to companion with GFL to start out its Phoenix franchise, nevertheless, in an announcement launched on Friday, UFC CEO Harrison Rogers declared his promotion will not work with GFL and won’t be investing $10 million right into a GFL Phoenix franchise.
We expect it’s spectacular what the International Battle League (GFL) is trying to tackle. It seems that GFL shares lots of the identical objectives and aspirations for fighters and the gorgeous sport of MMA as a complete. Nevertheless, resulting from many on-line comparisons between GFL and the United Battle League (UFL), in addition to confusion stemming from an article describing Harrison Rogers’’ involvement with a franchise inside GFL, it’s vital to make clear just a few factors.
In early 2024, Harrison Rogers (CEO of UFL) and Darren Owens (Commissioner of GLF) met at UFL headquarters in Mesa, AZ. Darren offered a powerful imaginative and prescient for what GFL may turn into. Primarily based on the mannequin offered on the time, Harrison expressed curiosity in committing to a Phoenix franchise in GFL is every part transpired as mentioned. Since then, it seems GFL has adjusted its mannequin and plans for the longer term. We (Harrison Rogers and UFL) want them the perfect of luck.
Nevertheless, Harrison Rogers doesn’t plan to take part in GFL’s future or make investments $10 million right into a Phoenix GFL Franchise.
Harrison stays absolutely dedicated to rising “the NBA of MMA,” which is the UFL.
UFL’s focus is on constructing a robust basis in the USA, rising metropolis by metropolis, quite than trying instant world enlargement, as GFL appears to be doing.
Whereas GFL has made promising claims about future occasions, medical health insurance, and retirement advantages, the United Battle League has already delivered on these fronts. UFL has achieved unbelievable occasions and proved medical health insurance and retirement advantages by inventory choice plans for its unique fighters.
With 5 excellent occasions already accomplished, UFL has demonstrated the facility of civic satisfaction that emerges in city-vs-city team-style MMA competitions. The UFL level system provides an thrilling and modern component that appeals to each new and longtime MMA audiences. Furthermore, the system is straightforward and simple to know, not like a few of these level techniques described by different promotions.
In conclusion, Harrison Rogers and the UFL want GFL success in its future endeavors, and we, like the remainder of the MMA neighborhood, eagerly await the outcomes of their formidable guarantees. Harrison Rogers and the UFL will proceed specializing in constructing “the NBA of MMA” in the USA and executing our imaginative and prescient.
Particulars stay murky surrounding GFL’s debut, however the promotion already has numerous large names connected, together with eight former UFC champions. The promotion additionally just lately revealed the ten weight lessons that will likely be featured, with some modifications to weight divisions in pursuit of “athlete well being and wellness.”
GFL expects its debut occasion to happen someday in April.