Skip to content

GFL unveils inaugural 2-night slate, main events with ex-UFC champs

Josh Hedges / UFC / Getty

The Global Fight League announced Monday its plans for its inaugural events.

GFL will hold its first two events on back-to-back nights starting May 24 in Los Angeles, according to ESPN's Brett Okamoto. Fighters from all six of the new MMA promotion's teams will compete across 10 weight classes over the two-night schedule.

The main event of GFL 1 will feature former WEC champion Urijah Faber facing ex-UFC champion Renan Barao. It'll be the third bout between the two, as they also fought in the UFC in 2012 and '14 with Barao winning both meetings.

The GFL 1 co-main event will also include former UFC champions, as Anthony Pettis will face Benson Henderson. Pettis previously defeated Henderson in a WEC meeting in 2010 and in a UFC bout in '13.

Former UFC interim champion Tony Ferguson - another one of the promotion's most notable fighters - will make his GFL debut May 25 against Dillon Danis in the main event of GFL 2.

GFL consists of six city-based teams: Dubai, London, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and Sao Paulo. The promotion hosted its inaugural draft Jan. 24, and each team made 20 selections to form a 120-fighter roster.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox