UFC legend Urijah Faber recently discussed the failed launch of the GFL, a new MMA promotion. The promotion aimed to change the sport with a bold, team-based format similar to other professional sports leagues.
GFL build a roster filled with former UFC champions and MMA legends. Some fighters even came out of retirement to join the promotion. They scheduled events and fights, including a trilogy bout between Faber and Renan Barao.
However, the promotion abruptly cancelled its first events one month before the planned debut.
Faber explained that he and other fighters were misled about the promotion’s financial stability. He revealed that GFL founder Darren Owen presented misleading information about his wealth. While training for his bout, ‘The California Kid’ said he began doubting GFL’s ability to follow through on its promises.
“My manager had seen [Owen’s] checking account with $30 million in it, so that was the only reason I agreed to it. I was like, ‘Okay, this guy’s real and he can write these big checks,’” Faber said during his appearance on Dominick Cruz’s Love & War . “It turned out the money in the bank was just a snapshot of money he had briefly and then had to give it back and all this kind of stuff.”
He continued:
“I told my management, ‘Don’t get the medicals. This thing is going to fall apart,’ It did fall apart unfortunately.”
Why Did Urijah Faber Join GFL?
Urijah Faber also shared why he joined GFL and what he heard about the promotion prior to signing. ‘The California Kid’ found the concept to be unique compared to traditional MMA promotions like the UFC .
Speaking with Dominick Cruz , Faber said the unique concept caught his attention. However, he wanted approval from UFC CEO Dana White before moving forward.
Faber also shared that the offer to fight Barao and possibly avenge his UFC title losses made it seem worthwhile.
“I wouldn’t have done it without the blessing of the UFC. Just because I have a lot of gratitude for the UFC,” Faber told Love & War. I sent out a message to Dana [White], ‘Hey man, I’ve been icing this guy, but I want to just let you know this guy’s offering me this amount of money to fight [Renan] Barao, a guy I’d like to get some wins back off.”
Faber Confirms He Was A Free Agent
Faber confirmed that he was a free agent GFL approached him. Other fighters, including Chris Weidman , were released from their UFC contract to join.
At the time, Faber was still actively in grappling competitions. He said he felt healthy and motivated to compete in MMA again. A three-round fight for a large payout made an MMA return well worth the risk.
“My contract had already expired with the UFC. I’ve been gone for years. I know where I stand still as a competitor,” Faber recalled. “I did some grappling matches last year against world class guys. I’m still competing for fun and I was like, ’15-minutes for this amount of money, let’s roll the dice.’”
He added:
“Go get a vacation home in Hawaii with [the fighter purse] for my kiddos or something like that. I didn’t need the money per se, but it’d be nice.”
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