Another player is entering the mixed martial arts landscape with a unique launch event a two days away.
Years into its planning, the Global Fight League (GFL) has yet to hold an event, but the promotion says it’s getting close with an April 2025 launch announced. The promotion and its founder, Darren Owen, aim to “reimagine” MMA and serve as a competitor to the UFC and PFL.
While the team-based league has yet to hold its draft, it’s signed a number of big-name athletes to its pool of fighters who are draft-eligible.
On Wednesday, the promotion announced details of its draft, which will be held virtually and broadcast from Van Wagner Studios in Phoenix.
Here’s what to know:
GFL draft start time
GFL will hold its inaugural draft Friday, January 24 at 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. ET).
GFL draft: How to watch
The GFL draft will simulcast on a plethora of platforms – Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, X, Twitch, DAZN, PPV.com, Triller TV, and Rumble.
GFL draft: On-air talent
On-air talent for the draft includes notable commentators, analysts and backstage correspondents from around the MMA space.
Former UFC play-by-play man Mike Goldberg will bring his signature voice to the GFL draft broadcast, as he’s joined by former UFC heavyweight Brendan Schaub, TNT Sports broadcaster Caroline Pearce, veteran fight analyst and commentator Robin Black, and rising reporter Alex Wendling.
GFL draft: What to expect
Six teams will partake in the 2025 GFL draft as 120 athletes are chosen from a pool of over 420 from 67 countries.
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Dubai is managed by Cain Velasquez and coached by Javier Mendez.
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London is managed by Luke Barnatt and coached by Carl Prince.
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Los Angeles is managed by Wanderlei Silva and coached by Rafael Cordeiro.
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Miami is managed by Thiago Alves and coached by Conan Silveira.
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New York is coached by Ray Longo with a manager TBA.
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Sao Paulo is managed by Lyoto Machida and coached by Adnre Pederneiras.
Particulars about the draft process – such as how long each team has to make a pick – are unclear.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: GFL draft details revealed: Here’s what to know for Friday’s event
