UFC Hall of Famer Urijah Faber is opening up about his brief and bizarre experience with the now-defunct Global Fight League (GFL) — a promotion that promised massive paydays and a star-studded roster but collapsed before hosting a single event. 💸😬
In 2024, GFL founder Darren Owen made headlines by announcing an ambitious team-based MMA league. The promotion reportedly secured signings from big names such as Tyron Woodley, Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, Fabricio Werdum, Chris Weidman, Holly Holm, and Faber himself. Events were slated for May in Los Angeles, and early talks painted GFL as a genuine rival to the UFC.
But the excitement didn’t last long. By April, all events were abruptly canceled — and the league went silent. Only a single cryptic Instagram post months later hinted at any possible comeback. Fans and fighters were left confused, with many wondering how such a seemingly well-funded organization could implode so fast. 🏦💥
Speaking on Dominick Cruz’s “Love & War” podcast, Faber revealed how he got involved — and why he quickly realized something wasn’t right.
“They were offering a ton of money,” Faber said. “I actually had the main guy and a guy I knew come to my house and explain it. Parts of it made sense, but other parts didn’t. He had an earnest idea, but he seemed a bit delusional. My manager saw $30 million in his account — that’s the only reason I agreed. I thought, ‘OK, this guy’s real and he can write big checks.’”
According to Faber, other notable fighters like Anthony Pettis and Paige VanZant also received pre-checks from Owen, adding a layer of legitimacy to the operation. Faber still decided to proceed carefully, reaching out directly to UFC CEO Dana White before signing anything official.
“I wouldn’t have done it without the UFC’s blessing,” Faber admitted.
That caution turned out to be crucial. Before long, “the chinks in the armor” started to appear. Faber said the $30 million Owen claimed to have wasn’t actually his to spend — just a short-term deposit used to give the illusion of financial stability.
“It turned out the money in the bank was just a snapshot of money he had briefly and then had to give it back,” Faber said. “I told my management, ‘Don’t do the medicals — this thing’s going to fall apart.’ And it did.”
Owen had reportedly pitched GFL as an “alternative to the UFC,” with a focus on franchise-style teams and athlete equity — ideas that sounded promising to fighters frustrated with current pay structures. But Faber, who’s long had a good relationship with the UFC, wasn’t buying into the anti-UFC sentiment.
“On the point of GFL saying, ‘This is what’s wrong with the UFC,’ I’m like, that’s separate for me,” Faber said. “The UFC has done a lot for this sport. I feel gratitude — this sport is where it is because of black belts in business who have the money.” 💯👏
In the end, the Global Fight League fizzled out before ever holding a single fight, leaving behind unpaid expenses, broken promises, and another cautionary tale in MMA business history. For veterans like Faber, it was just another reminder: if something sounds too good to be true in fight promotion — it probably is. 🧾💥
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