World Combat League made a giant splash when saying the launch of a brand new team-based promotion with all types of advantages for fighters after which signing dozens of previous champions and legends of the game to the roster.
Recently, GFL has even began saying fights like Chris Weidman’s long-awaited rematch in opposition to Luke Rockhold and even Tony Ferguson apparently combating Dillon Danis however none of those matchups have dates or places. In reality, GFL hasn’t formally introduced any particulars concerning the promotion’s first present or the place the fights may air with no broadcast deal in place.
Mild heavyweight veteran and UFC analyst Anthony Smith has by no means handled GFL, however from the skin wanting in, he’s heard loads about them from different fighters and he has his doubts about whether or not the promotion ever will get off the bottom.
“It’s bizarre,” Smith informed MMA Preventing. “I’m not completely offered on it but. They’ve but to carry an occasion and I don’t know something in regards to the promotion aside from the fighters that they’ve signed. From what I hear simply via the fighter grapevine, they’re paying loopy cash. So I don’t suspect it’s going to be round that lengthy.
“That outdated mannequin has been tried over and again and again and it doesn’t work. I don’t what they might be doing that’s completely different from what everybody else is finished aside from throw large cash at outdated, ageing fighters.”
The record of notable names who’ve signed with the GFL is astonishing with quite a lot of fighters getting back from retirement for the possibility to struggle there and presumably money a giant paycheck alongside the way in which.
One of many greatest names that stood out when the GFL launched was former UFC mild heavyweight champion Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, who was final seen within the cage again in 2023 when he introduced his retirement following a knockout loss to Ihor Potieria. That loss capped off a three-fight skid for the Brazilian legend and it appeared like the very best time to stroll away from the game.
Now, Shogun is just not solely signed to the GFL, however the promotion introduced he’s anticipated to conflict with Yoel Romero in his return to motion.
One other title on the GFL roster is Tony Ferguson, who briefly contemplated retirement after dropping his eighth straight struggle in a row, which introduced an finish to his 13-year run with the UFC. Whereas Ferguson suffered via an extended dropping streak, Smith really has far much less beef with him combating once more than seeing Shogun again in there taking punches at 43 years outdated after the profession he’s already had.
“I get what the fellows are doing. I might take large outdated fats checks like that, too, particularly in case you’re simply sitting round,” Smith stated. “In case you’re not doing nothing and also you’re simply coaching as a result of most guys nonetheless proceed to coach, they keep within the fitness center, they nonetheless hang around with their teammates and companions and stuff. So I believe that they’re all in first rate form. There’s a few although that I don’t like. Shogun being one.
“Really, I don’t dislike the Tony one which a lot. In case you take a look at the run Tony was on, even the skid that he’s been on, it’s not like they’re a bunch of bums that he’s dropping to. They’re good fighters and aggressive guys nonetheless. However I believe I prefer it extra for Tony as a result of I don’t what Tony would do. What would Tony Ferguson do in case you take this from him? I don’t know. I’m afraid for Tony if he didn’t have this outlet. I really like Tony Ferguson. If that is what he desires, Tony Ferguson is a kind of guys you sort of simply give him what he desires. Shogun bothers me although. That’s a number of miles. That’s a number of wars and he doesn’t all the time seem like he desires to be there. There’s by no means a query whether or not Tony Ferguson desires to be in there or not. The final couple of Shogun appearances, it didn’t seem like he wished to be there.”
That stated, Smith was impressed by among the fighters that GFL bought on the roster, although he is aware of that just about assuredly comes with a promise that those self same athletes are going to make an enormous payday to go there.
To this point, no one has really cashed a verify so Smith gained’t elevate too many issues till GFL really places on a present for the primary time.
“I’m not offered on them being round very lengthy so I don’t know the way a lot it really issues,” Smith stated. “However there have been some guys that popped up that I used to be actually shocked, like the place did you guys get [Alexander] Gustafsson? How did you guys determine that out? Like I believed he was simply hiding away in Stockholm dwelling his greatest life along with his stunning household and being the King of Sweden however they drug him out, too.
“They should be large checks. I hear they’re large however in case you can drag guys like Alexander Gustafsson out, they’ve bought to be swinging large hammers.”
