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Former UFC Champion Rashad Evans Claims He Was Drafted By The GFL Without His ‘Consent’

If you thought things with the Global Fight League (GFL) were a circus after the draft, things took even more of a turn on Jan. 25 thanks to a claim on social media made by Rashad Evans. Evans, a former UFC light heavyweight champion, was announced by the promotion to have been drafted to the […]

If you thought things with the Global Fight League (GFL) were a circus after the draft, things took even more of a turn on Jan. 25 thanks to a claim on social media made by Rashad Evans.

Evans, a former UFC light heavyweight champion, was announced by the promotion to have been drafted to the GFL team based in Los Angeles as one of its two light heavyweight competitors, with the other being Da Woon Jung.

This caught the attention of another legendary former champion in Quinton “Rampage” Jackson — a longtime rival of Evans’. The two have been pegged to reignite their rivalry with a boxing bout in April, with “Suga” confirming those plans in November.

Jackson, via social media, asked how it was possible for Evans to be drafted by the promotion due to their booked bout.

Well, according to Evans, he never agreed to be part of such a draft.

If Evans’ claim is true, this is the latest in a series of confusing moves and criticism the promotion is already facing before an event is even scheduled.

The GFL came under fire for several reasons in regard to its draft, from a stream for such an event not being set up until the day of, to the pacing of the draft broadcast, to the AI-created introduction video and content.

There’s also the fact that the full teams were released in full after the fifth round, despite the promotion’s claim that this was to be a “live” draft.

This news also brings speculation on fighters actually having signed with the promotion into question. Examples of this include Tony Ferguson signing with the GFL despite the UFC having not formally released him, as well as the promotion claiming to have signed Kenny Mokhonoana, who then fought on the PFL Champions Series card the day after the GFL Draft.

Former Bellator Champion Patricky Pitbull Signs with the GFL

Former Bellator Champion Patricky Pitbull Signs with the GFL Global Fight League continued to bolster its roster on Wednesday by adding former Bellator MMA lightweight titleholder Patricky Pitbull….

Global Fight League continued to bolster its roster on Wednesday by adding former Bellator MMA lightweight titleholder Patricky Pitbull.

Pitbull confirmed the signing on social media, revealing that he had been released from his previous employer, the Professional Fighters League, by request. MMA Fighting was the first to report the news.

“Today I turn 39 years old and I have a lot to be thankful for,” he wrote on X. “It’s symbolic for me as I decided to start a new chapter in my career. Per my request, I was released from PFL MMA. Thank you for the memories Stay tuned for my next fight news.”

“Former Bellator MMA Lightweight Champion, most wins in the Lightweight division, and most KOs in company history. I’ll never forget all the amazing moments I had with the organization. And a couple of fun fights on PFL MMA. I’m excited for what will be coming next.”

The world waits to find out where Patricio pitbull will end up after PFL release

Patricky’s brother, Patricio Pitbull, 37, was also granted his outright release, but he has not yet signed elsewhere, but the the former Bellator champ-champ is hoping to find himself fighting in the Octagon before long. Dana White expressed uncertainty when asked bout potentially signing the younger Pitbull to a contract.

However, the UFC boss was undeniably interested in bringing free agent Aaron Pico on board.

GFL will host its first-ever live virtual draft on Friday, January 24 from Van Wagner Studios in Phoenix, Arizona. Over 420 athletes from 67 countries will be in the draft, competing for 120 coveted roster spots to enter the 2025 season which is scheduled to kick off in April.

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Tony Ferguson Said To Be In Talks With New Promotion Following 8-Fight UFC Losing Skid

The Global Fight League, or GFL, have announced a huge amount of names who will be eligible for the promotion’s upcoming draft this month. GFL is set to host its first event around April where the team-based season format will kick off once fighters have been selected by their chosen teams. Many of the names […]

Many of the names on the current roster, particularly on the men’s side, are former UFC fighters who will add a certain amount of name value to the promotion from the very start. Amongst them is former UFC interim lightweight title challenger Kevin Lee who recently appeared on The Ariel Helwani Show to go into more detail about the promotion and his initial impressions of working with them.

Lee spoke during the interview about other names that could be joining him in the promotion who could be potential opponents for him at some stage. He specifically mentioned a former opponent of his who has been on a difficult run inside the Octagon as of late.

One of the criticisms of the GFL thus far has been the amount of fighters on the roster who are perceived to be over the hill or in some cases, already at the end of their careers. That would also be the narrative surrounding Tony Ferguson whose name still carries a degree of weight despite the fact that he has lost his last eight fights in a row which is a record for the MMA leader.

It appeared following his last defeat against Michael Chiesa that “El Cucuy” had one foot in retirement after he took off one of his gloves inside the cage before he later confirmed that he isn’t done yet. During his losing streak, Dana White has repeatedly made it clear that he hopes Ferguson retires with his 41st birthday being just around the corner.

However, according to what Lee has heard, it looks like Ferguson could be beginning a new chapter rather than closing the book for good.

“I’ve heard a couple of names tossed around, the one that interests me the most is Tony Ferguson,” Lee told Helwani. “He’s had his ups and downs in his career but we’ve had a great fight for the UFC championship and I think that’s something that a lot of people can get behind and that’s a fight that I really, really want. He’s in talks with them.”

Paige VanZant Hits the Gym for MMA Return, Opponent Yet to Be Named

Paige VanZant is officially back in training, gearing up for her return to MMA under the banner of the…

Paige VanZant is officially back in training, gearing up for her return to MMA under the banner of the newly formed GFL. Although her opponent for the upcoming bout has yet to be announced, the 29-year-old fighter is leaving no stone unturned in her preparation.

Paige VanZant Training

Paige VanZant has been training at the renowned American Top Team (ATT), a gym that has produced numerous MMA champions. Recently, she was seen working with Olympic Judo bronze medalist Natasha Kuziutina, adding a new layer of grappling expertise to her arsenal. Known for its world-class coaching staff and training partners, ATT offers Paige VanZant the perfect environment to sharpen her skills for her GFL debut.

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VanZant’s fighting career has been a journey of highs and lows. She burst onto the MMA scene in 2014 as a 20-year-old prospect in the UFC, where she compiled a 5-4 record, including a memorable head kick knockout victory over Bec Rawlings. After leaving the UFC in 2020, she explored various combat sports, including bare-knuckle boxing, professional boxing, and Dana White’s Power Slap league. Despite mixed results, VanZant has remained a tenacious competitor.

The GFL, launching in April 2025, promises a fighter-centric approach with team-based competition, revenue-sharing models, and improved benefits for athletes. For VanZant, the GFL represents a fresh start and an opportunity to reignite her MMA career.

With her return to MMA now imminent, VanZant is balancing her training with her other pursuits, including modeling and entertainment. VanZant’s popularity extends beyond the fighting world, as evidenced by her successful stint on “Dancing with the Stars” in 2016, where she finished in the top five. As fans eagerly await her next fight, VanZant’s preparation at ATT signals her determination to make a strong comeback in the sport. Stay tuned for updates as VanZant’s opponent and fight date are announced.

Former UFC Star Paige VanZant Eyes GFL Signed Fighters for Next Matchup in MMA Showdown

Paige VanZant is an athlete with experience in MMA, bare-knuckle boxing, and professional wrestling. Next, she is surveying the…

Paige VanZant is an athlete with experience in MMA, bare-knuckle boxing, and professional wrestling. Next, she is surveying the field of GFL competitors for her next fight. With GFL set to launch in April 2025, Paige VanZant has been closely watching a list of potential opponents from the league’s growing roster.

Paige VanZant’s Next Fight

The 30-year-old Paige VanZant, who gained fame in the UFC’s strawweight division, has expressed interest in matching up with several prominent fighters on the GFL roster sharing the list in her story, including:

Bi Nguyen: A professional MMA fighter known for her time in King of the Cage and ONE Championship, Nguyen also gained media attention through her appearance on Survivor.

Hannah Goldy: A former UFC fighter who has signed with GFL, Goldy is known for her resilience after competing on Dana White’s Contender Series.

Jessica Penne: A skilled grappler and the first Invicta FC Atomweight Champion, Penne has faced top-ranked opponents in her career.

Mara Borella: An Italian flyweight fighter with UFC experience, Borella is known for her striking and defensive skills.

Cynthia Calvillo: A former UFC standout who has competed in both the strawweight and flyweight divisions, Calvillo made a name for herself with a quick rise in the promotion.

Alexa Conners: A bantamweight fighter with a history in Invicta Fighting Championships, Conners is known for her resilience and determination.

Chiara Penco: A Bellator MMA fighter with a reputation for her submission and knockout victories, Penco fights in the strawweight division.

Pannie Kianzad: A Swedish-Iranian fighter with experience in the UFC’s bantamweight division, Kianzad transitioned from boxing to MMA early in her career.

Viviane Pereira: A Brazilian MMA fighter who competed in the UFC and Invicta FC, Pereira boasts an impressive early career before facing setbacks in recent years.

With the GFL’s innovative approach, including a 50/50 revenue-sharing model and health benefits for fighters, VanZant is likely to find an exciting and lucrative challenge within the league. The GFL’s inaugural draft is set for January 24, 2025, and will feature a unique team-based format with fighters representing major cities across 10 weight classes.

As the league prepares for its debut, VanZant’s decision will be closely watched by fans eager to see who she faces in her next chapter.