MMA
UFC veteran speaks about the future of GFL in MMA
Published
1 month agoon

British UFC veteran Brad Pickett In a recent interview with the Global Fight League “All Smoke & Mirrors” Grosvenor Sport.
GFL has met with great skepticism over the past few months, but last night he announced the inaugural weekend of events (May 24th-25th) in LA, which is very excited about fans.
Weighing the debate about the fresh concept, Pickett discussed:
- Challenges that GFL will try to repeat the success of the UFC
- Questions about the format of the league and teams and its long -term aspirations
- Reveals how the league contacted him and remained frustrated by them
“It’s all smoke and mirrors” UFC veteran says in the Global Fight League
We talked about some competing promotions and the monopoly that UFC has. What do you think about GFL that appeared out of nowhere? Did you contact this to get involved?
Brad Pickett: In a sense, it’s all smoke and mirrors until something happens. They signed all these warriors, I am surprised that they did not receive any insurance for any of these warriors, some of these guys are appropriate.
For me personally, you can’t just throw money on something and expect that it will be a success day by day. UFC was not built overnight; It took years of demanding work to build this brand. You can’t just buy a few fighters and expect to repeat the UFC model. It won’t work like that. It’s tough. This can probably happen, but you have to build something with time, they did nothing else, it was only MMA, but sold a little differently.
It’s the same, but it’s a bit more complicated. They try to sell these aspects of the band, trying to encourage people to support the team, I understand this, but there is not even one local warrior on the London card. What do they think? They try to sell this aspect of the team and can encourage wealthy people to buy and support these teams, but it doesn’t make much sense.
Did they ask you for commitment? Because when you look at the London team, there is Gustafsson, who is Swedish, Mousasi, who is Dutch, and everyone is in the London team.
Brad Pickett: I talked to several different people, not directly, but by others. I had some contact, but as I said, at the moment it’s all smoke and mirrors. Nothing really happens. I had several guys who were to be signed with them, and they live and train in London. They were just bypassed, which irritated me a bit.
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Dana White yesterday announced ads for the upcoming UFC fights yesterday.
UFC 319 is to provide an electrifying night of mixed martial arts on Saturday, August 16, 2025 at the United Center, Chicago, Illinois. This event means the return of UFC to the City Windy for the first time since UFC 238 in 2019.
In the main fight he presents the Master of the UFC Dricus du Plessis Master defending his title against the unbeatable Khamzat Chimaev. Du Plessis, who had a professional record of 23-2, was a dominant force in the division. Chimaev, with a flawless 14-0 record, creates his first title challenge and a return to fight in the United States since 2022. Nassoourdine Imavov was appointed the official spare warrior of this main event, ensuring that the income from the fight.
Transmission details
- Date: Saturday, August 16, 2025
- Premises: United Center, Chicago, Illinois
- Main card: 22:00 ET on Pay-Per-View
- REMIMS: 20:00 ET on ESPN/ESPN+/Disney+
- Early preliminary: 18:00 ET on ESPN+/Disney+
Here are the lines for UFC 319 and UFC Abu Dhabi:
Dricus du plessis +165
Khamzat chimaev -190
Note: This combat line was initially opened after speculation in August with Chimaev -200 and DDP +170.

UFC is to return to Abu Dhabi on July 26, 2025, and the fascinating main event in the average weight with the participation of former master Robert Whittaker against Rising Reinier Ridder. This UFC night fight will take place at Etihad Arena and will be broadcast on ABC, marking the 21st promotion event in Abu Dhabi and the first from UFC 308 in October 2024.
Robert “The Reaper” Whittaker (26-8) strives to reflect after losing in the first round with Khamzat Chimaev on UFC 308. Before this failure, Whittaker assured victory over Paulo Costa and Ikram Aliskerov, confirming his status of the best pretender in the average weight section.
Reinier “RDR” de Ridder (20-2), former two-level master in one championship, quickly left his mark in the UFC. From the moment of joining the organization, he has a 3-0 record, with a noteworthy finish of Gerald Meerschart, Kevin Holland and a recent victory before because Nickal on UFC des Moines. Standing at 6’4 ″ with 78-inch range, de Ridder is a significant physical challenge in the medium scale.
This fight has significant implications for the image of the medium weight title. The current Master Dricus du Plessis is to defend his title against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319. Victory for Whittaker or De Ridder can set them as another pretender for the title.
Event details
- Event: UFC Fight Night: Whittaker vs. De Ridder
- Date: Saturday, July 26, 2025
- Premises: Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Program: ABC (US), ESPN+
- Starting times: Prelim at 12:00 et, main card at 15:00 et
There will also be several other intriguing duels in the event:
- Airy weight: Nikita Krylov vs. Bogdan Guskov
- Average weight: Shara Magomedov vs. Marc-André Barriault
- Airy weight: IBO ASLAN VS. Billy Elekana
- Muchy: Asu Almabayev vs. RAMAZON TEMIROV
When the UFC returns to Abu Dhabi, fans can predict a night of high rate duels that can transform the average weight landscape.
Robert Whittaker -175
Reinier de Ridder +150
Shara Magomedov -260
Mark Andre Barriault +2

Miami, Florida – The American Dream Presents, led by the General Director and professional boxer Ron Johnson, in cooperation with Sportz Steve Marcano, proudly announces “Caribbean Clash”, electrifying the boxers and entertainment event, which takes place on Saturday, August 9 at James L. Knight Center in Miami in Florida.
In this groundbreaking event there will be an eight -member card that will distinguish elite fighters from Haiti, Kuba, Puerto Rico and the Caribbean, representing the real celebration of the Caribbean pride, talent and culture. The Caribbean clash is the first of the multi -part series, with the second installment based on November 2025.
“Miami is home for one of the most diverse Caribbean populations in the US,” said Ron Johnson, general director of American Dream Presents. “From Little Haiti to Little Havana, there is an amazing fan base here, which is proud of her heritage and passionate boxing. This event is to give them something that you can support – and celebrate.”
In addition to the world -class boxing, Caribbean Clash will contain live musical performances of some of the hottest artists from the Caribbean Islands, providing a lively, high -energy experience that celebrates the Caribbean spirit both inside and beyond the ring.
“It’s not just a fight night – it’s a move,” said Steve Marcano, general director of Sportz. “We combine sport and culture to give fans something unforgettable. Our goal is to raise boxing by celebrating identity, music and perfection.”
Tickets and full composition of the fight will be announced in the coming weeks. To get updates, follow @Americandreampresents in social media.
Ron Johnson, who signed a partnership agreement with the stadium platform in 2024, is to present this upcoming event at the stadium. Cooperation is still in line with his vision of providing high -energy boxing events to the national audience.
The stadium, which reaches about 25 million American households via free transmission over regulations, is the property of Jerry Reinsdorf-Vilo owner Chicago Bulls and Chicago White Sox-the most vital emphasizes the sturdy connections of the network with the Sport Major League.

Byb Extreme has confirmed that it is planned to match Dada 5000 at one of their boxing concerts in the capital this year, and this promises to attract a huge audience.
Fight fans in 2.5 million households in America, they tuned to watch friends who become the competition Dada 5000 and Kimbo Slice, settle their differences in the cage in 2016.
The fight was recognized as the lack of a competition after Slice did not pass the drug test and died a few months later, while Dada 5000 – the real name of Dhafir Harris – determined Barenuckle Boxing Business Backing Boxing Extreme.
Byb Extreme fights take place in a three-sided trigon-described as “the smallest area in combat sports”-and Harris claims that he will fight in the program in London this year.
Harris planned to fight in Florida in November 2022, but Texas Athletic Commission ruled him out.
Harris suffered two heart attacks after a fight on the plastic in Texas and was banned for an indefinite period.
The 47 -year -old insists that he is able to fight again, and Jim Freeman, the head of European operations for Byb Extreme, confirmed that Harris will undergo a thorough medical examination before he can compete.
Harris said: “My health is good and I will fight in Great Britain this year – 100 percent.
“I’m already training and I’m in shape. I just have to get it up to get into shape.
“I don’t have to fight anymore, but that’s what I want to do. I have a heart and no one can give it to you.
“I’ve fought all my life in the streets and I have 47-0.
“This year I will have 48-0.
“How can I lose? He is in my home. I know the game better than anyone.”
Trip -sided Trigon is the invention of Harris -the top measured 30 feet from point to point -and has an opponent.
Byb Extreme negotiates with Dominic Negus, a veteran London Hardman and Pro Glooved Boxer, who debuted in Barenuckle last year.

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