RIP GFL? Double Debut Events Cancelled

The latest class of formerly retired UFC fighters will have to wait a little longer for that Global Fight League (GFL) fight purse … if it happens at all.

Ariel Helwani, the first two scheduled GFL events — which were planned for May 24 and 25 from Los Angeles, California — have been canceled. It’s an extremely inauspicious start for the startup promotion, which has promised many older fighters the best payouts of their career.

Fortunately, hope isn’t entirely dead. GFL founder Darren Owen texted with Yahoo Sports and explained that this could merely be a delay. If a problem with his primary investor is solved, Owen expects to hold the events just a few weeks later in the middle of June. In addition, he expects to move the event location to somewhere other than California.

“Working on a solution. My main investor didn’t fulfill his April obligation which has caused a problem. I’ll keep you posted but I believe we will be able work through it. I think we can make it happen for June.

“Additionally I don’t foresee the event taking place in California but we absolutely will keep pushing forward.

“I think we’re going to have to push the dates to June 15/16. I’ll confirm asap. It’s been a frustrating week but I think there’s a solution in place.”

Urijah Faber vs. Renan Barao 3 and Ovince Saint Preux vs. Alexander Gustafsson, as fans have called for a “legend’s league” for many years now. There could well be a market for this kind of booking, but if GFL has already spread themselves too thin, it feels wildly unlikely that the promotion will last more than a weekend.

If that.

For the complete list of announced GFL bouts, click here.