GFL cancels doubleheader debut event

The future of the Global Fight League is apparently in question before it even began.

GFL, the new MMA promotion, has canceled its debut slate of events that were scheduled for May 24 and May 25, California State Athletic Commission executive director Andy Foster confirmed to Uncrowned's Ariel Helwani.

GFL founder Darren Owen addressed the situation Wednesday.

"Working on a solution," Owen said, according to Helwani. "My main investor didn't fulfill his April obligation, which has caused a problem. ... But I believe we will be able to work through it. I think we can make it happen for June."

Owen added that the GFL may launch June 15 and June 16. However, he said it's unlikely that the new doubleheader event takes place in California.

"It's been a frustrating week, but I think there's a solution in place," Owen said.

The announcement comes less than two weeks after GFL announced that the pair of events on back-to-back nights in Los Angeles would kick off the new MMA promotion in May. Former UFC stars such as Renan Barao, Anthony Pettis, and Tony Ferguson, as well as ex-WEC champion Urijah Faber, were scheduled to fight at GFL 1 or GFL 2.

"I'm sad for all these fighters who committed to the GFL and now are stuck in this weird position," Pettis' brother, Sergio, wrote on social media. "Hopefully, things can get figured out here soon."

GFL is formed by six city-based teams: Dubai, London, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and Sao Paulo. The promotion hosted its inaugural draft in January, with each team making 20 selections to form a 120-fighter roster.