The Global Fight League continues to cause controversy in the MMA world as they continue to sign ex-UFC stars who are past their best.
When the GFL announced that it would hold its inaugural event this coming April, the MMA world became excited at the prospect of a promotion rivaling the UFC.
Despite that, the promotion was then met with a lot of criticism after they began announcing the names of some of the signings they were making, with the majority of them being former UFC stars who are nearer to 40 years old.
Things were then made worse when the GFL announced several signings but the fighters were coming out revealing that they hadn’t actually signed contracts with them.
One signing they did make, though was Tony Ferguson who was drafted to the Los Angeles team roster, despite his concerning eight-fight losing streak in the UFC.
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Dana White comments on GFL signing Tony Ferguson and other ex-UFC stars
‘El Cucuy’s’ UFC career took an unfortunate turn following his interim title fight loss against Justin Gaethje in 2020. Since then, the 40-year-old has gone on to suffer the longest losing streak in the promotion’s history.
Following his loss to Paddy Pimblett, UFC boss Dana White implored Ferguson to retire, as he did with Chris Weidman following his loss at UFC 310, another fighter the GFL has signed.
“I think these guys are blowing real cash, I mean these guys are throwing a lot of money around and I love it, good for the fighters, it’s good for them,” White surprisingly commented this past Thursday at a Power Slap press conference.
“I don’t know anything about their business plan or what the deal is but no, I don’t consider any combat sports my competition. My competition is the NFL, College Football, Soccer, big movies that come out on Saturday, I don’t look at other combat sports (promotions) as competitors,” he continued.
Tony Ferguson could debut against Conor McGregor’s former training partner
After actually being drafted to the Los Angeles team roster, Ferguson will fight under the GFL banner this coming season.
Another fighter who was drafted by the New York team roster is former teammate of Conor McGregor, Dillon Danis.
The controversial figure has only fought twice in MMA and is 2-0 following wins under the Bellator banner. Since then, the world champion grappler has fought against Logan Paul in the boxing ring, losing after he attempted to take down ‘The Maverick’ resulting in a disqualification.
GFL founder, Darren Owen recently teased that they are looking at the potential matchups for the upcoming events, highlighting Ferguson vs Danis as one they are looking at putting together.