Global Fight League isn't dead yet.
On Wednesday, the Nevada Athletic Commission (NAC) unanimously granted a temporary one-event license to the promotion during a monthly meeting in Las Vegas. The commission said the event will be "small" or "medium" as a trial. Larger events thereafter will require additional licensure approval and may also require additional financial stipulations such as certifying funds.
Although it made a splash in 2025 for its widespread big-named signings, fighter-friendly contracts and shared ownership model, GFL has still yet to hold an event. Following a virtual launch event that included various teams "drafting" fighters from a large talent pool of former UFC, Bellator and PFL notables, the promotion canceled its first
two events, leaving many fighters disappointed and feeling misled.
At the time, GFL founder Darren Owen explained a financial obligation was not met by one of the promotion's main investors and said he hoped to debut in June 2025.
"Our primary investor didn’t fulfill his April obligation which has caused some issues however we have a solution in place," Owen told MMA Junkie in June. "We are likely going to have to launch in June but 100% moving forward."
That June event did not happen either. Should a GFL event come to fruition, it won't be for a few more months. NAC executive director Jeff Mullen said during Wednesday's hearing that the first event is expected for 2027 and the license would not be valid until then.
The promotion has not announced many details about its relaunch, though a social media post from September indicated a Miami vs. Buenos Aires event was in the works for Argentina in the fourth quarter of this year.
Thus far, two signings have been announced: former UFC bantamweight champion Marlon Moraes (24-13-1) and former Invicta fighter Jamie Edenden (6-2-1).
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: GFL never die? Nevada approves Global Fight League for event license
