Dana White Warns Global Fight League About Overspending
Dana White has given his take on The Global Fight League’s new venture.
The MMA organization will hold its first event this year, having signed up many former UFC fighters. Reports indicate that 120 fighters are part of the new roster. Six teams will be formed, with many former UFC fighters. Tyron Woodley is one of the names who are with Team Dubai. The former UFC Welterweight Champion left the UFC in 2021 after suffering four losses in a row. Since then, he has only boxed twice against Jake Paul.
Former UFC Middleweight Champion Chris Weidman has also signed with the Global Fight League, having announced his retirement from the UFC. He will be part of Team New York. Paige Vanzant, who has fought under numerous combat sports organizations, is also part of the promotion. He previously spoke about how the organization is putting its money where its mouth is. There are also claims that the organization could be setting up health insurance, something fighters have been vocal about.
Fighters Praise The League
“I think this is the perfect opportunity because I definitely didn’t leave MMA because I wasn’t passionate about it anymore. Now there’s this new MMA organization that actually made me really excited to fight for them. They are legit paying their athletes. Everyone that I’ve heard that has negotiated their contracts so far is extremely excited and happy.They’re doing a pension fund for the fighters, and I think health insurance. … You just never know when it’s over, so I wanna do everything I can to make the most money while I can, and be able to provide for my family forever,” VanZant said
There is an argument that fighters are not looked after well enough once they leave the sport. That has created the perception that the UFC does not pay their fighters well enough. But White is presiding over the biggest combat sports brand in the world. He felt that the Global Fight League’s plans could result in a lot of money being spent to the detriment of the promotion.
White Reacts
White has made similar comments previously about the PFL, suggesting that they could go out of business. This was after PFL Chairman Donn Davis made it clear that they pay their fighters more. However, White was cautious against this view when it came to the Global Fight League too. The CEO of the UFC knows that the UFC’s bigger brand is something others can’t replicate.
“I don’t think it’s blowing smoke — I think these guys are blowing real cash. These guys are throwing a lot of money around, and I love it. Good for the fighters—it’s good for them. 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 as competitors,” White said
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