The World Battle League (GFL) has this night revealed their large roster of fighters, together with a handful of former UFC championship holders, in addition to Brazilian veteran, Wanderlei Silva — regardless of latest claims from the Curitiba native that he’s affected by CTE (power traumatic encephalopathy) and different degenerative mind points.
Showing throughout an interview with Ariel Helwani for Uncrowned this night, Darren Owen, an govt from the World Battle League (GFL) confirmed plans for the group to carry an official roster draft subsequent month forward of an official occasion premiere in April of subsequent 12 months.
“We’re funded, we’re 100 per cent ready to launch,” GFL govt Darren Owen informed. “Everything is in line that needed to be in line. We waited as long as we needed to wait to get to this point and now it’s time. Our funding came in last September, so since then it’s been go-time. We put everything into place and here we are.”
World Battle League (GFL) reveals roster of fighters forward of April premiere occasion
Amongst some notable names on the promotion’s roster already, a bunch of former UFC champions are slated to compete, together with Tyron Woodley, Junior dos Santos, Luke Rockhold, Anthony Pettis, Fabricio Werdum, Andrei Arlovski, Frank Mir, and Benson Henderson.
🚨The World Battle League will launch in April 2025 🗓️ #HelwaniShow
✅6 groups ✅4 continents ✅MMA Draft✅300+ fighters eligible to be drafted ✅120 fighters will likely be drafted ✅20 fighters ✅10 divisions (2 fighters per division)✅GFL Draft will start in January 2025… pic.twitter.com/oD7tl4odVs
— COMBAT SPORTS TODAY (@CSTodayNews) December 11, 2024
Different names at present slated to characteristic underneath the banner of the GFL embody Hector Lombard, Alexander Gustafsson, Thiago Santos, Kevin Lee, Bi Nguyen, Alan Belcher, Jeremy Stephens, Marlon Moraes, Gegard Mousasi, Rousimar Palhares, Lance Palmer, and Will Brooks to call a couple of — in addition to former Delight FC megastar, Silva.
Worryingly, throughout latest proceedings within the Zuffa vs. Le antitrust lawsuit, former UFC star, Silva revealed he suffered quite a few concussions throughout his temporary stint within the Octagon, and believes he’s now coping with CTE points.
“While fighting for the UFC, I suffered many significant injuries, including concussions,” Wanderlei Silva’s declaration revealed, as obtained by John S. Nash. “I fear that during my career I have suffered traumatic brain injury (TBI) and am noticing symptoms common with TBI and CTE including depression, mood swings, and irritability. To date, no treatment for CTE has been found. I suffer from sleep apnea and have difficulty sleeping and breathing. That I can recall, I have had four surgeries on my nose, 1 on my face, 2 on my left knee, 1 on my right knee and 1 on my elbow.”
