GFL cancels first two events, future of promotion up in the air

The GFL has canceled its first two events, and the future of the promotion is very much in doubt.

Rumors started to swirl on Wednesday night that the GFL may have to postpone their first two events scheduled for next month. However, MMA reporter Ariel Helwai reported that the two events have indeed been postponed, and the future of the promotion is up in the air.

GFL has canceled its first two events, scheduled for May 24 and 25 in Los Angeles, per multiple sources and confirmed by CSAC executive director Andy Foster.

There are serious doubts about the future of the promotion.

Reached out to founder Darren Owen but no reply at this…

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) April 10, 2025

“GFL has canceled its first two events, scheduled for May 24 and 25 in Los Angeles, per multiple sources and confirmed by CSAC executive director Andy Foster. There are serious doubts about the future of the promotion. Reached out to founder Darren Owen but no reply at this time,” Helwani reported on X.

The plan was for the GFL to have back-to-back events on May 24 and May 25 in Los Angeles, but that will no longer be the case. The promotion had a team format and had signed several former UFC champions and some of the biggest names in the sport.

The first event was set to feature Urijah Faber vs Renan Barao 3, Anthony Pettis vs Benson Henderson 3, as well as Holly Holm, Derek Brunson, Sage Northcutt, Marlon Moraes, and others competing on the card. The second event was set to be headlined by Dillon Danis vs Tony Ferguson.

GFL founder planned to shake up MMA landscape

GFL founder Darren Owen planned to shake up the MMA landscape with his new promotion.

The GFL planned to share 50 percent of the revenue with fighters as he wanted to see fighters get paid more.

“Everything and more is falling into place,” Owen said, via Sportsnet. “It’s pretty inspiring, it’s pretty amazing. It is definitely even bigger and better than I anticipated it would have been at this time… To know that we are fixing the issues that everyone is having — and creating something new and different that’s wanted and that’s needed… It’s just the evolution of the sport (MMA).”

Despite the goals, it appears the GFL will fail to even host one event.