Big news in the fight world: the Global Fight League (GFL) has officially canceled its highly anticipated debut events set for May 24 and 25 in Los Angeles. This bombshell has left fight fans and fighters alike questioning whether this promotion will ever see the light of day.

California's top athletic authority, the State Athletic Commission, confirmed the cancellation of the events planned at the iconic Shrine Auditorium. MMA Fighting received insights from sources connected to the fighters, who expressed disappointment after initial reports emerged from Yahoo! Sports.

While there’s a glimmer of hope that the fights might be rescheduled for a later date in 2025, the future of the fighters initially signed with GFL hangs in the balance following this setback.

Was 2025 Just Wishful Thinking?

When GFL was first launched, there were ambitious plans to kick off the action in April, which later shifted to May, but now with both events called off, fans are left wondering if GFL will fizzle out before it can even start.

Led by former Professional Fighters League (PFL) executive Darren Owen, this promotion had quickly garnered interest by signing high-profile fighters eager to make their mark. Among the star-studded roster were Tony Ferguson, Dillon Danis, and Holly Holm, alongside icons like Anthony Pettis and Urijah Faber.

Star Power But Uncertain Future

One of the more surprising signings was ex-UFC champion Chris Weidman, who had considered retirement until GFL’s enticing offer reignited his competitive spirit. Fighters were reportedly drawn in by incredibly generous contracts, which led to concerns about the sustainability of the league's financial model.

As it stands, with the cancellation of these premiere events, the future of GFL looks cloudier than ever. Will they be able to turn this ship around, or is this the last we’ll hear from the Global Fight League?