The Inaugural GFL Season: First Matchups & Events Announced
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The Global Fight League (GFL) has been an enigma since its recent inception. The organization, with its team-based format, consists of six cities, a draft, and legendary coaches and fighters. The GFL Draft occurred on January 24th, and fans are now seeing what the future may hold for the promotion.
Recently, Jason Hagholm shared the league’s format for its inaugural season. Per the press release, the first event is taking place in Los Angeles sometime in April.
A long season is ahead. But, the first two matchups announced provide insight into what the matchups could continue looking like.
First, we will see a rematch 10 years in the making. Fans will also see a former UFC light heavyweight champion vs. an Olympic Silver Medalist in Wrestling, and a former title contender. It should make for fireworks as they all look to turn back the clock.
Luke Rockhold vs. Chris Weidman 2
Representing Team New York will be “The All American” Chris Weidman (16-8). The former UFC middleweight champion is taking on a familiar foe. In December of 2015, Luke Rockhold (16-6) striped Weidman of his middleweight title, and his undefeated record. Fast forward to 2025 and Rockhold is now representing Team Los Angeles, preparing to share the octagon with Weidman once again.
Weidman, 40, just parted ways with the UFC after 13 years with the promotion. His next fight in April will be four months after his fight with Eryk Anders at UFC 310. Opposing him, Rockhold, 40, parted ways with the UFC in 2022 after a fight-of-the-night winning performance against Paulo Costa. Since then, Rockhold has boxed, grappled at CJI 1, headlined a BKFC Card vs. Mike Perry, and got a KO win in Karate Combat.
For this matchup to occur, Luke Rockhold was traded from Team Dubai to Team Los Angeles for Grant Neal. Undeniably, their return to the cage is highly anticipated. Both men feel they have more to show in the octagon.
As we get closer to the event, the question to consider is… Will there be an advantage from the hometown crowd?
Yoel Romero vs. Shogun Rua
This fun matchup in GFL’s light heavyweight division is a dual between Team Miami’s Yoel Romero (16-7) and Team São Paulo’s Shogun Rua (27-14-1).
The two veterans come in with heaps of big-fight experience. Romero, 47, most recently fought in Mike Perry’s inaugural Dirty Boxing 1, winning by first-round KO. Before that, he had success with Bellator and later PFL, going 3-2. For Rua, 43, he has not competed in two years since a three-fight losing skid in the UFC.
At their peaks, both men were considered amongst the best in the world. Shogun Rua was the UFC light heavyweight champion until Jon Jones took the belt from him. Additionally, Rua consistently fought the best in the world and won numerous performance and fight of the night bonuses.
Romero also has an elaborate resume dating back to his credentials on the wrestling mat. His MMA talent is nothing short of impressive as well. After headlining several UFC cards in his 13-fight career with the organization, he moved on and challenged for Bellator’s light heavyweight title vs. Vadim Nemkov. Now, Romero takes his talents to the GFL.
Although few details are known about the rest of this card, there is sure to be more on the horizon. You can see the official roster for all six team on the GFL website.
Stay tuned to The Scrap for GFL updates, fight news, and trade announcements.
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