Nine Previous UFC Titleholders Feature on GFL's List of Draft- eligible Athletes
Global Fight League news is gaining traction day by day.
The upcoming mixed martial arts league is set to launch its debut season in April, followed by playoffs culminating in the coronation of its first champions.
The roster is substantial and features well-known figures from UFC, Bellator, PFL, and ONE Championship. There are numerous draft-eligible combatants in both the men's and women's divisions, including nine former UFC champions.
I queried a GFL representative for a comprehensive list of these draft-eligible fighters. Below is the current status (as of January 3) for the men's and women's lists:
GFL Heavyweight
- Alan Belcher
- Aleksandr Maslov
- Alexei Oleynik
- Andrei Arlovski
- Fabricio Werdum
- Frank Mir
- Greg Hardy
- Junior Dos Santos
- Oli Thompson
- Philipe Lins
- Robelis Despaigne
- Roggers Sousa
- Stuart Austin
- Tanner Boser
GFL Light Heavyweight
- Alexander Gustafsson
- Cleiton Silva
- Da Woon Jung
- Emiliano Sordi
- Grant Neal
- Ovince Saint Preux
- Rafael Carvalho
GFL Middleweight
- Chauncey Foxworth
- Gegaro Mousasi
- Glaico Franca
- Hector Lombard
- Jared Revel
- Jozef Wittner
- Kyle Daukaus
- Luke Rockhold
- Mariusz Ksiazkiewicz
- Markus Perez
- Phillip Hawes
- Wanderlei Silva
GFL Welterweight
- Abubakar Nurmagomedov
- Adilet Nurmatov
- Austin Tweedy
- Benson Henderson
- Danny Mitchell
- Dominick Meriweather
- Francisco Trinaldo
- Joao Zeferino
- Jordan Mein
- Jozef Wittner
- Julio Spadaccini
- Michael Irizarry
- Rousimar Palhares
- Ruan Machado
- Tyron Woodley
GFL Lightweight
- Aaron McKenzie
- Alex Oliveira
- Amirkhon Alikhuzhaev
- Anthony Pettis
- Ayinda Octave
- Ayton De Paepe
- Benson Henderson
- Charles Rosa
- Christos Giagos
- Jefferson Pontes
- Jeremy Stephens
- John Makdessi
- Kevin Lee
- Killys Mota
- Lucas Martins
- Mohamed Tarek Mohey
- Oscar Ownsworth
- Raimundo Batista
- Sidney Outlaw
- Stephen Beaumont
- Will Brooks
- William Lima
- Yan Cabral
GFL Featherweight
- Alexsandro Cangaty
- Andre Harrison
- Claudeci Brito
- Deberson Batista
- Lance Palmer
- Marcel Adur
- Marcelo Dias
- Marlon Moraes
- Mohammad Abzakh
- Patrizio De Souza
- Renan Oliveira
GFL Men’s Bantamweight
- Cameron Else
- Denis Palancica
- Diego Teixeira
- Jimmie Rivera
- Marciano Ferreira
- Marcus Paulo Amaral
- Omar Arteaga
- Renan Barao
GFL Women’s Featherweight
- Julia Budd
- Julia Dorny
- Fernanda Guersone
- Mariza Loch
- Evelyn Martins
- Lorrany Santos
GFL Women’s Bantamweight
- Fernanda Barbosa
- Talita Bernardo
- Queila Braga
- Juliet Chukwu
- Brittney Cloudy
- Alexa Conners
- Bianca Diamoni
- Thaliat Diniz
- Tonya Evinger
- Pannie Kianzad
- Gisele Moreira
- Zurina Turrey
- Luz Vazquez
- Tamires Vidal
GFL Women’s Flyweight
- Mara Borella
- Miao Ding
- Kalindra Faria
- Janaisa Morandin
- Chiara Penco
- Andressa Rocha
- Antonia Silvaneide
- Paige VanZant
GFL Women’s Strawweight
- Melissa Amaya
- Yasmin Castanho
- Maria Luiz de Abreu
- Isabela de Padua
- Eva Dourthe
- Randi Field
- Hannah Goldy
- Brenda Gottig
- Kayla Hracho
- Natalia Kuziutina
- Pamela Mara
- Silvania Monteiro
- Bi Nguyen
- Jessica Penne
- Viviane Pereira
- Livinha Souza
- Isis Verbeek
GFL Women’s Atomweight
- Jessica Aguilar
- Claire Lopez
The GFL is still inviting combatants, with a few free agents potentially becoming new members. Rumors suggest Aaron Pico from the PFL/Bellator could be a valuable addition to the GFL.
His contract with the PFL is about to expire, but both parties are reportedly considering extension options. The UFC is reportedly also interested in Pico.
If the GFL manages to sign Pico, it could spark excitement for the league's inaugural season, with the draft happening on January 24. Stay tuned for more updates leading up to the draft.
Benson Henderson is one of the draft-eligible combatants in the GFL Welterweight division. GFL is reportedly considering Aaron Pico, a former PFL and Bellator fighter, as a potential addition to its roster. If Pico joins GFL, it could generate excitement for the league's inaugural season, with the draft scheduled for January 24.
