United Fight League no longer interested in working with Global Fight League, won’t invest $10 million

Global Fight League just hit its first setback.

In December, a new player emerged in the MMA space when Global Fight League (GFL) announced its intentions to bring a team-based MMA league to market in 2025. The concept is that the initial season will feature six teams “based in major global markets” comprised of 20 fighters, two representatives each across 10 weight classes. Now, one of the planned partners is out.

United Fight League (UFL) is an Arizona-based promotion that started in 2023 and was poised to partner with GFL to start its Phoenix franchise, however, in a statement released on Friday, UFC CEO Harrison Rogers declared his promotion will no longer work with GFL and will not be investing $10 million into a GFL Phoenix franchise.

We think it’s impressive what the Global Fight League (GFL) is attempting to take on. It appears that GFL shares many of the same goals and aspirations for fighters and the beautiful sport of MMA as a whole. However, due to many online comparisons between GFL and the United Fight League (UFL), as well as confusion stemming from an article describing Harrison Rogers’’ involvement with a franchise within GFL, it’s important to clarify a few points.

In early 2024, Harrison Rogers (CEO of UFL) and Darren Owens (Commissioner of GLF) met at UFL headquarters in Mesa, AZ. Darren presented an impressive vision for what GFL could become. Based on the model presented at the time, Harrison expressed interest in committing to a Phoenix franchise in GFL is everything transpired as discussed. Since then, it appears GFL has adjusted its model and plans for the future. We (Harrison Rogers and UFL) wish them the best of luck.

However, Harrison Rogers does not plan to participate in GFL’s future or invest $10 million into a Phoenix GFL Franchise.

Harrison remains fully committed to growing “the NBA of MMA,” which is the UFL.

UFL’s focus is on building a strong foundation in the United States, growing city by city, rather than attempting immediate global expansion, as GFL seems to be doing.

While GFL has made promising claims about future events, health insurance, and retirement benefits, the United Fight League has already delivered on these fronts. UFL has accomplished incredible events and proved health insurance and retirement benefits through stock option plans for its exclusive fighters.

With five outstanding events already completed, UFL has demonstrated the power of civic pride that emerges in city-vs-city team-style MMA competitions. The UFL point system adds an exciting and innovative element that appeals to both new and longtime MMA audiences. Moreover, the system is simple and easy to understand, unlike some of these point systems described by other promotions.

In conclusion, Harrison Rogers and the UFL wish GFL success in its future endeavors, and we, like the rest of the MMA community, eagerly await the results of their ambitious promises. Harrison Rogers and the UFL will continue focusing on building “the NBA of MMA” in the United States and executing our vision.

Details remain murky surrounding GFL’s debut, but the promotion already has a number of big names attached, including eight former UFC champions. The promotion also recently revealed the 10 weight classes that will be featured, with some changes to weight divisions in pursuit of “athlete health and wellness.”

GFL expects its debut event to take place sometime in April.