GLOBAL FIGHT LEAGUE

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Redefining Combat Sports: The Future of Fighting Begins Here!

GFL is revolutionizing combat sports with a global, fight league that shares 50% of event revenue with athletes and prioritizes their health, wellness, and retirement. This groundbreaking league unites fans and athletes, creating MMA’s most passionate community.

(Disclaimer: Bit of a fantasy project of mine. The team concept is a little tricky but I assure you this will be fun.. I bloody hope so at least!)
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Fighters TBA

 

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GFL CHAMPIONS

 

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GLOBAL FIGHT LEAGUE CONFIRMS TOURNAMENT EVENTS​

Following the announcement of a new MMA promotion known as the Global Fight League. There has been a lot of questions or talks in regards to what we can expect from the Global Fight League. A press conference was held today in which GFL founder Darren Owen was joined by the official GFL commentary team of Mike Goldberg, Brendan Schaub and Robin Black. During this press conference Darren Owen revealed the game plan for the Global Fight League. Revealing that the official weight classes will be Heavyweight, Light Heavyweight, Middleweight, Welterweight, Lightweight, Featherweight, Bantamweight, Flyweight, Women's Bantamweight, Women's Flyweight and Women's Strawweight. Owen would then follow up by revealing that the plan will be for each weight class to hold it's own exclusive 32 person tournament with the winners of which being crowned the official GFL CHAMPIONS! Owens would close by promising several bracketology reveals to come which will unveil the fighters and matches for the opening rounds!

 

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(Narrated by Snoop Dogg)
"From around the world, 32 warriors have answered the call. Who will be the first GFL World Champion!"

HEAVYWEIGHT BRACKETOLOGY
Hosted by: Robin Black, Mike Goldberg and Brendan Schaub

MG: "Ladies and Gentleman, Good evening and welcome to the first of many GFL Youtube specials. My name is Mike Goldberg and I am joined tonight by Robin Black and Brendan Schaub to present to you one of the biggest nights in MMA history"

RB: "That's right Mike. Tonight we will learn just who will be competing in the Global Fight League Heavyweight tournament and just who they will in fact be facing and I cannot wait."

BS: "This is a big field with fighters from across the world. Some familiar faces and some we won't know yet. But if there is one thing I know from my time competing and my time in a tournament. It's with Heavyweight, nothing is predictable with that size and power."

MG: "Absolutely. Now I must mention we aren't the only ones in the building tonight. As we have making the announcements of the fighters themselves our reporter Alex Wendling. While we also have an all star panel who will appear which is comprised of Kenny Florian, Dan Hardy, The Schmo, Helen Yee, Josh Thompson and my friend Big John McCarthy."
---------------------------- PICK ONE ----------------------------

[The feed cuts to a large round table where this impressive panel is all smiles and waves to the camera. From here we go to Alex Wendling as she prepares to make the first announcements.]

AW: "Thank you for the introduction Mike. So with this bracketology special, I will begin by introducing the first eight Heavyweights who are set to compete as part of the GFL Heavyweight title tournament. This will begin with a former UFC Heavyweight Champion. A fighter notorious for his knockout power and elite boxing with wins over the likes of Fabricio Werdum, Mark Hunt, Cain Velasquez and Mirko Cro Cop. The first fighter to be announced for the GFL is.. Junior "Cigano" Dos Santos!"

[Quickly we cut back to the desk where Mike Goldberg is clapping his hands and nodding his head approvingly.]


MG: "What a start to this tournament. Junior Dos Santos! A man who I'm proud to say I have called many of his fights"

RB: "Perhaps one of the most feared punchers alone in MMA let alone heavyweight. This is a man who has pulled off some of the biggest knockouts in Heavyweight history."

BS: "This is someone with fight ending power. I've had friends of mine fight JDS and trust me when I say when he hits it hits different. While he is a little older, this is a fighter capable of truly putting anyone in the field out."

---------------------------- PICK TWO ----------------------------

AW: "Now off of the back of Junior Dos Santos. We follow with the announcement of our second competitor as part of the GFL Heavyweight tournament. Similar to JDS this man is also a former UFC Heavyweight Champion. In a different stance to Junior who was known for his knockout power. This fighter is known for his vicious submission ability which he has used to put away competitors such as Brock Lesnar, Antonio Nogueira and Tim Sylvia. The second competitor in the GFL tournament will be Frank Mir!."

[The cameras then return us to the desk where our hosts are stationed.]


MG: "Two names in and two legendary figures in the Heavyweight division. We've gone from a vicious striker to one of the most feared grapplers in the sport Frank Mir."

RB: "This is what makes a fighter like Mir dangerous. We've seen it countless times his ability to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. If he grabs a limb the fight is over."

BS: "I've rolled with Frank and trained with him. When it comes to grappling he has the strength of a heavyweight but the quickness of a lightweight. If you underestimate that now he is older you will risk tapping or snapping."

---------------------------- PICK THREE ----------------------------

AW: "So far we have had Cigano and then we have had Mir. Two absolute legends and former champions. It is now my pleasure and honor to introduce the third competitor to the tournament. Another former champion who is a true veteran of the sport and has fought a veritable who's who of the Heavyweight division with names such as Fabricio Werdum, Frank Mir, Tim Sylvia, Roy Nelson and Ben Rothwell as his noted victories. Participant number three in the GFL heavyweight tournament is.. Andrei "The Pitbull" Arlovski!"

{From here we return back to the desk.}


MG: "The Pitbull has come to the GFL. I have had the privilege of calling a ton of this mans fights. It feels like this is a true renaissance man of MMA to still be competing at such a high level."

RB: "I couldn't have put it better myself. He is timeless. This is a experienced fighter who has constantly evolved."

BS: "I speak from first hand experience. Arlovski has that veteran savvy. He knows how to win and how to find a way. He might not be the flashiest but he can shut your lights out!"

---------------------------- PICK FOUR ----------------------------

AW: "3 fighters in and 3 world champions at that in this impressive 32 man heavyweight tournament field. Now for our fourth entry we follow that trend with not just a former world champion but one of the sports most accomplished NCAA Champions. He holds victories over the likes of Fedor Emelianenko, Lyoto Machida, Rampage Jackson and Rashad Evans. He is.. Ryan "Darth" Bader!"

MG: "BADER! I think our colleague may have undersold Ryan Bader. This is a multiple weight champion from Bellator who is now looking to add another title to his collection."


RB: "This is a dangerous opponent to have in this field. A powerful and explosive wrestler with heavy hands. In any fighter the ability to dictate just where the fight goes is crucial."

BS: "I have fought at the same events as Bader. I know people who have trained and fought him. The word passed around is relentless. This is a scary opponent to have especially if he can get the fight to the ground."

---------------------------- PICK FIVE ----------------------------

AW: "Off of the back of four former world champions. Our next entry the tournament is a true knockout artist boasting 13 knockout wins in his 15 wins including over two men already announced in the tournament Junior Dos Santos and Andrei Arlovski as well as Alistair Overeem. He is Jairzinho 'Bigi Boy' Rozenstruik."

MG: "The name says it all. Bigi Boy. Big power from this man who can end a fight literally in one shot."


RB: "This man is a pure danger striker. He is a dangerous blend of technique thanks to his kickboxing background and power. This means he is dangerous at range and up close."

BS: "Exactly man. This is the kind of dude who you can dominate for the entire fight only for him to shut you off in the closing seconds. This is a guy who can blow the field open."

---------------------------- PICK SIX ----------------------------

AW: "Our sixth entrant in the tournament will be a man who is known all across the world not just for his knockout power but his size. As our next entry is a multiple world's strongest man winner who has competed with fighters such as Tim Sylvia, Rolles Gracie Jr and Mamed Khalidov. Our next entry is Mariusz "Pudzian" Pudzianowski!"

MG: "Now this was unexpected! Pudzianowski from Poland! From the Strongman arena to the cage to the GFL!"


RB: "He is a unique entry in this tournament. Just raw horsepower and brute strength. This is a wild powerful dude and that makes him dangerous."

BS: "To echo Robin. Mariusz may not be the most skilled or proficient fighter but he's freakishly strong. This is the guy who if he grabs you it's like being grabbed by a bear. He is a freak athlete and freak athletes can win fights!"
---------------------------- PICK SEVEN ----------------------------

AW: Our seventh entrant in the GFL Heavyweight title tournament is a former 2008 Olympian in Freestyle wrestling. A veteran of MMA who has fought in Bellator and the PFL. He is unbeaten in ten fights with his most recent win being a TKO of Jared Rosholt. He is a former PFL tournament winner, he is Ali Isaev!

MG: "The former PFL tournament winner. Ali Isaev is our first unbeaten fighter to join the GFL Heavyweight title tournament."


RB: "This is a fighter no one wants to see in their bracket. He is a very stereotypical fighter from Dagestan as he brings relentless takedowns and smothering top control. The pace this man can keep for a heavyweight is unreal."

BS: "Wrestling on a level like this. It is far from flashy! However he can absolutely ruin your night and your game plan if you can't defend shot after shot!"

---------------------------- PICK EIGHT ----------------------------

AW: Now finally to round out the first eight names in our Heavyweight title tournament. We follow with a true veteran of the sport who has over 60 victories to his name. A true grappling standout and perhaps one of the most feared grappling aces in the game. A man with wins over the likes of Fabricio Werdum, Mark Hunt and Mirko Cro Cop. The eighth entry in the GFL tournament is "The Boa Constrictor" Aleksei Oleinik!

MG: "The Boa Constrictor! Perhaps there is not a more apt name in MMA than this. Someone who has performed rarely seen submissions when he has someone in his grasp"

RB: "This guy is an absolute wizard on the mat! A true submission magician with countless tricks up his sleeve!"

BS: "That's truly the scary thing with this guy. You can be in as dominant a position as possible and then boom he has put you asleep. He is truly someone who you can't count out of a fight!

MG: So Just a refresher for you all. The GFL Heavyweight Tournament line up is currently as followed...

HEAVYWEIGHT TOURNAMENT
1. Junior Dos Santos
2. Frank Mir
3. Andrei Arlovski
4. Ryan Bader
5. Jairzinho Rozenstruik
6. Mariusz Pudzianowski
7. Ali Isaev
8. Alexey Oleinik
24 fighters remaining to be announced
(Writers Note: Experimenting a little here. Never done anything like this. If you guys like it I'm happy to do it for every weight in the tournament. Part 2 is coming soon)


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HEAVYWEIGHT BRACKETOLOGY​

MG: We are back after a short break to announce the next eight participants of the GFL Heavyweight title tournament. So let's take it back to Alex Wendling for pick Nine.

------------------------------ PICK NINE ------------------------------

AW: Thanks Mike, So far in these announcements we have had competitors from America, Brazil, Russia, Dagestan, Belarus, Poland and Suriname. Now for our next entry to continue this international flavor we have a highly accomplished grappler from Spain and a former Ultimate Fighter winner.. Juan "El Guapo" Espino!

MG: El Guapo! Juan Espino returns to the cage!

RB: This is an incredibly funky and awkward fighter. He doesn't fight like your typical heavyweight and he is absolutely suffocating with his grappling.

BS: Plus as with most heavyweights Espino is packed with knockout power to boot. It may not be technical but it is damaging!

------------------------------ PICK TEN ------------------------------

AW: As we enter our tenth round and announcement. We at the GFL felt that there was perhaps someone even more equipped to welcome our next fighter. So please join me at this time in introducing a true legend of the sport Antonio Minotauro Nogueira!

{As Nogueira appears on a camera feed; Mike Goldberg, Brendan Schaub and Robin Black all clap their hands for the legend.}

MG: My old friend. Welcome to the GFL!

Nogueira: Thank you Mike. It's good to see you all. I'm here to announce the next entry to the GFL Heavyweight title tournament. A man I know extremely well from my own battles against him. He is a former UFC Heavyweight Champion. He's beaten the likes of Cain Velasquez and Fedor Emelianenko and he is in my own opinion the greatest submission artist in MMA history. He is Fabricio "Vai Cavalho" Werdum!

MG: Fabricio Werdum! What an announcement! This field is continuing to grow more stacked with every announcement!

RB: Werdum is a dangerous fight wherever it goes. A true submission specialist who has been a product of Chute Box to have stand up on par with his grappling.

BS: I don't care how good a grappler you maybe. Going to the ground with someone like Werdum is a bad decision. It will be a long night trying to survive with him.

------------------------------ PICK ELEVEN ------------------------------

AW: For our eleventh pick of the evening. We continue to go global as this time we head to Paris, France. For a highly skilled kickboxer and veteran of both the UFC and Bellator. With wins over Mirko Cro Cop, Alexander Volkov and Vitaly Minakov. Participant Eleven will be Cheick Kongo!

MG: Cheick Kongo in the GFL! Now this is a surprise. A true veteran of the game who has fought a who's who!

RB: This is a powerful and dangerous fighter. He is someone more than capable of playing spoiler in any fighter.

BS: A dangerous kickboxer who is a powerhouse in the clinch. Kongo may not be a flashy fighter but he is dangerous.

------------------------------ PICK TWELVE ------------------------------

AW: For our next pick of the evening. We again have a special guest in the building to introduce this next fighter. So please welcome a true pioneer of heavyweight MMA and amateur wrestling. Dan "The Beast" Severn!

{Dan Severn appears on camera as our hosts applaud him.}

MG: I couldn't put it better than my colleague Alex. A true pioneer of the sport and former UFC tournament winner Dan Severn. Welcome to the GFL!

DS: It is a pleasure to be here. It also also my honor to be asked to introduce the following man. You know in my decades in the sport competing all over the world. I'd like to think I'm a good judge of toughness. This fighter has survived wars in and out of the cage. A veteran of Bellator, the UFC and PFL. He is Blagoy Ivanov!

MG: Honestly I don't think we could have put it better. A fighter with an incredible story of resilience and toughness.

RB: A great call from the beast. This man is practically unbreakable. I mean he came back from a stab wound to the chest to compete at the highest level.

BS: Tough as nails and well versed in the art of Sambo. Blagoy is a nightmare match up for many a fighter in this tournament. He could be a dark horse to go far.

------------------------------ PICK THIRTEEN ------------------------------

AW: For our next pick of the night we have another guest geared up to make the announcement. So please put your hands together for another icon of the sport who has since hit the big screens... Bas Rutten!

{As Bas Rutten appears on the screen he is applauded by our hosts}

MG: Bas.. My old friend! welcome to the show!

RB: It's proving to be quite the reunion tonight!

BR: Thank you all! It is absolutely awesome to be apart of this! It very much reminds me of the old days of pride and the gran prix tournaments putting all these names and faces together for one prize. Speaking of Pride, I am here tonight to announce the thirteenth selection in the heavyweight tournament. This is a man who has competed in Pride, Strikeforce, Bellator and also Dream and holds wins over Andrei Arlovski, Fabricio Werdum and Alistair Overeem. Sergei "Paratrooper" Kharitonov!

MG: What a selection! One of the most dangerous and destructive fighters in MMA history!

RB: Having Bas introduce him as well at that. I'm getting Pride flashbacks!

BS: This guy is dangerous. He was scary back then and is still scary now. He maybe up there in age but he is still just as dangerous as ever!

------------------------------ PICK FOURTEEN ------------------------------

AW: It is now time for our fourteenth selection in the heavyweight title tournament. Continuing on our international stance as we have so far confirmed fighters from America, Brazil, Russia, Dagestan, Belarus, Poland, Suriname, Spain, France and Bulgaria. For our next selection we then go to Slovakia for Martin "Badys" Buday!

MG: What a pick up this is! A young, hungry heavyweight who is looking to make his name here.

RB: Buday is a grappling specialist through and through. He's won several grappling tournaments and has the potential to upset some of the field!!

BS: Buday is a nightmare fight for anyone! He's the kind of opponent who everyone in the know is aware of how tough he is. He just doesn't have the recognition of some of the others. This is a dangerous fighter for anyone to step in with!

------------------------------ PICK FIFTEEN ------------------------------

AW: It is now time for our fifteenth selection. Coming off the back of multiple world champions we've announced in this field so far. We then follow with a former UFC and Bellator Light Heavyweight champion. A cross over star onto the big screen, the fifteenth participant in the tournament is Quinton "Rampage" Jackson!

MG: It's Rampage! A fighter who brings knockout power and a hell of a lot of personality to boot.

RB: Plus let's be real. While he may not be in his prime. Rampage brings a lot of power even now in the Heavyweight division.

BS: Also I'm just gonna say it. It's Rampage Jackson! This tournament just got a whole lot bigger!

------------------------------ PICK SIXTEEN ------------------------------

AW: We are now at the halfway point for the GFL Heavyweight title tournament as we will confirm the 16th participant in the GFL Heavyweight title tournament. Our 16th participant is a former IFL Heavyweight Champion and an ultimate fighter winner. He holds wins over names such as Antonio Nogueira, Mirko Cro Cop and Bigfoot Silva. Participant 16th is Roy "Big Country" Nelson!

MG: Big Country! A true veteran of the game. He'll say it himself don't be fooled by the physique with this competitor.

RB: A lot of people forget because of Nelson's knockouts that he is also a skilled grappler. This is a very talented martial artist.

BS: I speak from first hand experience having fought Roy. He has an iron chin and a sledgehammer of a punch. He is going to be a tough out for anyone in this tournament.

MG: With us now at the halfway mark of the GFL Heavyweight title tournament. We will take a short break. But here is a refresher of just who has been announced so far!

HEAVYWEIGHT TOURNAMENT PARTICIPANTS
1. Junior Dos Santos
2. Frank Mir
3. Andrei Arlovski
4. Ryan Bader
5. Jairzinho Rozenstruik
6. Mariusz Pudzianowski
7. Ali Isaev
8. Alexey Oleinik
9. Juan Espino
10. Fabricio Werdum
11. Cheick Kongo
12. Blagoy Ivanov
13. Sergei Kharitonov
14. Martin Buday
15. Quinton Jackson
16. Roy Nelson

 

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HEAVYWEIGHT BRACKETOLOGY
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----------------------------- PICK SEVENTEEN -----------------------------
AW: For our next competitor who is a standout of the amateur wrestling world. An NCAA champion and one of the most decorated wrestlers to ever transition into MMA. We thought who better to introduce this man, than another legendary figure of wrestling who made a successful transition into MMA. So please welcome Randy "The Natural" Couture!

(Randy Couture shows up on a live feed while our hosts clap)

MG: The Natural! Welcome to the GFL Randy Couture! I'm half surprised we aren't seeing you turn back the clock once again!

RC: My fighting days are long gone Mike and with the kid I am about to introduce I'm glad. This is someone I've personally seen grow up on the mat and we've even seen him beat olympians such as Gable Steveson. This is a monster on the mats who has in 2 fights shown to be a monster in the cage also. A true competitor and world class grappler, ladies and gentleman... Ant Cassar!

MG: Now this is a big surprise! Ant Cassar in the GFL Heavyweight title tournament.

RB: Normally in a field with the experience we have so far I'd say a 2-0 prospect is out his depth. But in this case we have a raw talent capable of grinding out anyone.

BS: This is a big pick up in my eyes with one hell of an endorsement to boot. We may have a dark horse in this tournament here.

----------------------------- PICK EIGHTEEN -----------------------------
AW: Our next participant in the tournament in a field of heavyweights is a true giant of the sport. A true veteran who has competed in the UFC, Strikeforce and Elite XC. He holds victories over Fedor Emelianenko, Alistair Overeem and Andrei Arlovski. He is Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva!

MG: Bigfoot Silva! A true mountain of a man and perhaps one of the most physically dominant men in the tournament.

RB: Silva is terrifying. He is dangerous on the feet and on the ground.

BS: This is a guy who has fought the best of the best. He brings a wealth of big fight experience and freakish strength to the cage.

----------------------------- PICK NINTEEN -----------------------------
AW: For our next entry to the GFL tournament. We have a former UFC veteran who has competed in promotions such as the SFL and KSW. A true knockout artist who has never seen the judges scorecard. Entrant nineteen to the heavyweight title tournament will be Todd Duffee.

MG: Duffee! I remember seeing him blow his way onto the scene with that 6 second KO. Back then many thought this man was the future of the sport!

RB: Duffee may not have lived up to the potential of what we thought he'd be but he is a dangerous opponent. This is a heavy hitting and physically strong individual.

BS: Duffee is a bull. He is aggressive perhaps sometimes even a little too aggressive. He is a dangerous opponent for anyone!

----------------------------- PICK TWENTY -----------------------------
AW: Our next entry into the GFL is an unbeaten heavyweight and several time NCAA tournament winner. A standout from Bellator with a 5-0 professional record. He is Jarod "Doughboy" Trice!

MG: off the back of Ant Cassar we now have another unbeaten wrestler in this tournament in Jarod Trice.

RB: Trice is a bad match up for a lot of people in this tournament. He may not be the most exciting to watch but he is a dangerous out.

BS: This is a sleeper pick for the tournament. Trice is a heavy wrestler with a unending gas tank.

----------------------------- PICK TWENTY ONE -----------------------------
AW: For the twenty first reveal in the GFL Heavyweight title tournament. We felt for our next introduction, there was no better person to introduce him than a living legend of the sport and one of the most feared strikers in MMA history. A veteran of Bellator, UFC and Pride. Please welcome Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic!

(To a rousing response Mirko Cro Cop appears on the feed)

MG: Mirko! what a pleasure to have you hear!

Cro Cop: Thank you Mike. It is an honor to be here. I am here tonight to introduce a man who in my opinion is one of the next generation of Eastern European strikers. He is tall, technical and powerful. He is someone I believe can do big things in this tournament. The twenty first entry to the tournament is Kirill Kornilov!

MG: What an endorsement. When Mirko Cro Cop praises your striking. You know he is one to watch on the feet!

RB: This is definitely just in this case. We have a veteran of Glory Kickboxing who in his crossover to MMA already has eleven knockouts to his resume.

BS: He hasn't fought slouches either. He has beaten UFC veterans in his tenure. This guy is legit!

----------------------------- PICK TWENTY TWO -----------------------------
AW: Our twenty second selection in the GFL Heavyweight tournament is a two sport athlete who first competed in the UFC before crossing over into Bellator and the UFC. He has victories over Gabriel Gonzaga, Roy Nelson, Derrick Lewis and Fedor Emelianenko. With 11 knockouts in his 13 victories. Matt "Meathead" Mitrione!

MG: Robin. As many good things as I have to say about Mitrione, I think both me and you know who can sum him up best.

RB: That is right Mike. Mitrione is a great athlete but our colleague Brendan Schaub is the one to introduce him.

BS: Mitrione is my boy! One of my close friends and fellow competitors on the Ultimate Fighter. With Mitrione you can always expect chaos. He is a brawler through and through with a lot of power.

----------------------------- PICK TWENTY THREE -----------------------------

AW: Our next entrant maybe one of the most unique athletes in the field. A former olympic medalist in Taekwondo who has transitioned into MMA with fearsome knockout power. So we thought he deserved a true introduction from someone who knows dominant striking better than anyone. Please allow me to introduce Alistair "The Demolition Man" Overeem!

(As Alistair Overeem appears on the stream. He is met with applause from our hosts.)

MG: My friend it is good to see you! Welcome to the GFL.

AO: I am thrilled to be here Mike. Especially when I've been asked to introduce the man I have. As there are few heavyweights past and present as fearsome, dangerous and powerful as "The Big Boy" Robelis Despaigne!

MG: Oh my goodness. Despaigne! This guy is dangerous!

RB: We saw it in his UFC debut. We've seen it in Karate Combat. This is a lethal striker.

BS: This maybe the scariest man in the field. Just an absolute monster!

----------------------------- PICK TWENTY FOUR -----------------------------

AW: It is now time for our twenty fourth pick of the night. He is a UFC veteran and a former two time unified MMA heavyweight champion. A black belt in Shito Ryu Karate with twelve knockout wins under his belt. Tanner "The Bulldozer" Boser!

MG: I like this pick. Boser is a solid fighter and someone capable of upsetting the field.

RB: He maybe a little undersized notably having some fights at 205. But he makes up for that with skill, heart and volume.

BS: In my opinion, the most well rounded heavyweight in the field so far. Maybe not a dark horse but someone who can shock some people!

MG: Now we are 24 names in. Let's take another look at the Heavyweight title tournament so far

GFL HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT
1. Junior "Cigano" Dos Santos
2. Frank Mir
3. Andrei "The Pitbull" Arlovski
4. Ryan "Darth" Bader
5. Jairzinho "Bigi Boy" Rozenstruik
6. Mariusz "Pudzian" Pudzianowski
7. Ali Isaev
8. "The Boa Constrictor" Alexey Oleinik
9. Juan "El Guapo" Espino
10. Fabricio "Vai Cavalho" Werdum
11. Cheick Kongo
12. Blagoy Ivanov
13. Sergei "Paratrooper" Kharitonov
14. Martin "Budys" Buday
15. Quinton "Rampage" Jackson
16. Roy "Big Country" Nelson
17. Ant "The Champ" Cassar
18. Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva
19. Todd Duffee
20. Jarod "Doughboy" Trice
21. Kiril Kornilov
22. Matt "Meathead" Mitrione
23. "The Big Boy" Robelis Despaigne
24. Tanner "Bulldozer" Boser

 

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HEAVYWEIGHT BRACKETOLOGY​

--------------------------------------------------- PICK TWENTY FIVE ---------------------------------------------------

AW: As we continue our announcements for the Heavyweight GFL tournament. We then return to Belarus for our next selection. A veteran of ONE FC who is unbeaten in his ten pro fighters. With all his wins by way of finish and a victory over Geronimo Dos Santos. The next entry to the GFL Heavyweight tournament is Roman Lukashevich.

MG: A veteran of one fc and UAE. This is quite the pick.

RB: This is a young and talented heavyweight fighter. Very skilled submission artist.

BS: I really like this pick. In a field of well known faces and veterans. We now have a prospect with a world of potential.

--------------------------------------------------- PICK TWENTY SIX ---------------------------------------------------

AW: For our next fighter we decided that there would be no more fitting introduction than a fighter who knows exactly what it means to represent Russia on a national stage. Please welcome a former UFC tournament winner "The Russian Bear" Oleg Taktarov.

(As Oleg appears on the screen. He is greeted with a round of applause by our hosts.)

MG: Oleg! Welcome to the GFL.

OT: As someone who has competed in tournaments himself. I think this is great and definitely something I consider a honor to be apart of. The fighter I am here to introduce is someone who carries the same spirit that I had when I stepped in the cage. Tough, determined and unafraid. Please welcome Alexander "Tor" Podmarev.

MG: Man what an endorsement. When someone like Oleg Taktarov makes a point to call you tough. You know that means something.

RB: Podmarev is dangerous. A powerful striker who has put away 13 opponents by knockout.

BS: This is an excellent signing. Podmarev could very well be a sleeper pick in the tournament.

--------------------------------------------------- PICK TWENTY SEVEN ---------------------------------------------------

AW: Our next pick of the tournament is a UFC veteran from Cape Verde. A UFC and PFL veteran who has 9 knockouts under his belt. This includes a victory over Junior Dos Santos. Entry number Twenty Seven to the tournament is "The Mad Titan" Yorgan De Castro!

MG: De Castro! What a pick for the tournament!

RB: A truly powerful striker. De Castro is the epitome of don't blink. If he connects it's over.

BS: This is a dangerous fight for anyone. De Castro is literally the definition of one punch power!

--------------------------------------------------- PICK TWENTY EIGHT ---------------------------------------------------

AW: For our next selection we have a very special guest ready to make an introduction. As we have from the world of strongmen, an olympic athlete from Iran. Hossein Rezazadeh!

(The olympian appears on a live stream to applause from the hosts.)

MG: What a legend. Hossein welcome to the GFL

HR: There isn't anywhere I'd rather be. Tonight I am here to introduce to you the pride of Iran. A world champion wrestler. A warrior of iron will. He fights not for himself, but for the strength of a nation. Ladies and gentlemen… Amir Aliakbari

MG: Aliakbari! This one of the most accomplished greco roman wrestlers to ever step foot in MMA.

RB: There is something primal about Amir! A true conqueror who is looking to break you.

BS: Look, I fought big heavyweights in my career. But Aliakbari? Dude’s a different animal. He’s built like a tank, he’s got world-class wrestling, and he throws bombs like he’s trying to knock down a wall.

--------------------------------------------------- PICK TWENTY NINE ---------------------------------------------------

AW: Our next entry to the GFL Heavyweight title tournament is a heavyweight who brings some serious size and power. A fighter hailing from Canada who has fought internationally. Please welcome Jagroop Bhullar!

MG: We've mentioned Dark Horses but I think we definitely have one here!

RB: Bhullar is a big strong athlete and has finished 9 of his 10 wins.

BS: A raw talent with all the potential in the world. Jag Bhullar very well has the potential to make his name here.

--------------------------------------------------- PICK THIRTY ---------------------------------------------------

AW: Our thirtieth entrant in the GFL Heavyweight tournament is a young, american heavyweight standout. A multiple time heavyweight champion from the independent MMA scene. Brett "Big Dog" Martin!

MG: The Big Dog! Brett Martin has come to the GFL!

RB: Everything we just said about Bhullar we can say about Martin. Another true dark horse in this tournament.

BS: A young heavyweight with a world of upside. This is Martin's time to prove he is one of the best!

--------------------------------------------------- PICK THIRTY ONE ---------------------------------------------------

AW: For our next pick we have a true definition of a veteran and a scrapper. A fighter who always brings the action and never backs down from a challenge. A true striker who has fought some of the top heavyweights in the world. "The Vanilla Gorilla" Chase Sherman!

MG: Welcome to the GFL Chase Sherman! A true definition of an all action fighter who will surely bring the violence!

RB: Sherman is wild. He is unpredictable and he is dangerous. He has seventeen knockout wins under his record.

BS: This is a great addition to the tournament. Sherman is a warrior. He doesn't back down from anyone!

--------------------------------------------------- PICK THIRTY TWO ---------------------------------------------------

AW: And finally to complete our Introductions of the thirty two men set to compete in this historic tournament. We have a true pioneer of MMA and for the base of wrestling. He is the Godfather of Ground and Pound.. Mark "the hammer" Coleman!

(Mark Coleman is the next fight to appear on the stream to applause)

MG: The Hammer! Welcome to the GFL.

MC: Thank you! The guy I am here to introduce tonight is cut from the same cloth I was when I was in his shoes. A wrestler first but one who is looking to put it all together. He's powerful, young and more than ready to prove himself. Ladies and gentleman.. Please welcome Tyrell Fortune!

MG: That is huge. Mark Coleman welcoming Tyrell Fortune. This is a passing of the torch moment if I have ever seen it!

RB: Fortune is a fighter on the cusp of greatness. A powerful wrestler who is ever improving.

BS: Fortune has ten knockouts on his record including a win over my friend Matt Mitrione. Fortune is one to watch.

MG: Now with all thirty two heavyweights announced. Let's take a look at the full participant list before we announce our bracket.

GFL HEAVYWEIGHT TOURNAMENT PARTICIPANTS
1. Junior "Cigano" Dos Santos
2. Frank Mir
3. Andrei "The Pitbull" Arlovski
4. Ryan "Darth" Bader
5. Jairzinho "Bigi Boy" Rozenstruik
6. Mariusz "Pudzian" Pudzianowski
7. Ali Isaev
8. "The Boa Constrictor" Alexey Oleinik
9. Juan "El Guapo" Espino
10. Fabricio "Vai Cavalho" Werdum
11. Cheick Kongo
12. Blagoy Ivanov
13. Sergei "Paratrooper" Kharitonov
14. Martin "Budys" Buday
15. Quinton "Rampage" Jackson
16. Roy "Big Country" Nelson
17. Ant "The Champ" Cassar
18. Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva
19. Todd Duffee
20. Jarod "Doughboy" Trice
21. Kiril Kornilov
22. Matt "Meathead" Mitrione
23. "The Big Boy" Robelis Despaigne
24. Tanner "Bulldozer" Boser
25. Roman Lukashevich
26. Alexander "Tor" Podmarev
27. "The Mad Titan" Yorgan De Castro
28. Amir Aliakbari
29. Jagroop Bhullar
30. Brett "Big Dog" Martin
31. "The Vanilla Gorilla" Chase Sherman
32. Tyrell Fortune

 

[Shade]

HEAVYWEIGHT BRACKETOLOGY​

THE BRACKETS!

MG: Ladies and Gentleman now that we have revealed the full line up of the GFL Heavyweight Championship tournament. I'm going to send us to our guest panel. This is a veritable who's who of MMA. A MMA variant of the round table so to speak. Starting with my old friend and former colleague Kenny Florian, Former Strikeforce champion Josh Thompson, the greatest referee of all time "Big" John McCarthy, former ufc title challenger "The Outlaw" Dan Hardy, MMA veteran Julie Kedzie and reporters The Schmo and Helen Yee. Welcome all to the GFL as we now announce the heavyweight title tournament field.

The Table: Kenny Florian, Josh Thompson, John McCarthy, Dan Hardy, The Schmo, Helen Yee and Julie Kedzie.

(The feed then takes us to this guest table panel. Where all the members are buzzing with anticipation from the announcements so far.)

KF: Thank you for having us Mike. It is our absolute pleasure to be apart of this historic evening. As tonight we get to breakdown the thirty two men selected to take part in the GFL Heavyweight title tournament.

TS: It's insane when you think about it. This is the MMA equivalent of March Madness. You have veterans, legends, rising stars and new comers all eager to etch their name in history!

DH: Especially with this being a heavyweight tournament. It is all the more unpredictable. As while on paper you can have all the credentials in the world. With men this big and strong it only takes on punch.

JT: Also endurance can and will play a part here. A tournament like this is going to be grueling and taxing. With a mixture of experience and age it will be interesting to see how they handle it!

JK: The level of strategy, patience, and preparation these men have to bring is phenomenal. It’s a chess match disguised as a brawl.

JM: This is a lot different from the days of old where it was no holds barred. These men are all skilled competitors with some very impressive backgrounds.

HY: That's not too mention the storylines. We have legends looking for one last one, veterans who have never achieved the big on looking to stake their claim, young fighters looking to make their name and fighters from all over the world vying for the same prize.

TS: This is certainly going to be quite the spectacle! These are huge personalities in and out of the cage. Some of these entrances, the way fighters carry themselves, it sets the tone before the bell even rings.

KF: So if we can all turn to the monitor. Let's see the first two match ups confirmed for the GFL Heavyweight title tournament!

GROUP A
Fabricio Werdum vs. Frank Mir
Blagoy Ivanov vs. Jagroop Bhullar

KF: Wow! we are starting off in a big way here! A jujitsu dream match between Fabricio Werdum and Frank Mir.

DH: The two premiere submission grapplers of all time. On the feet with their striking this is interesting but on the ground this is a delight!

JT: That's not nostalgia either talking in recent years Werdum tapped Fedor from his guard while While Mir snapped Nogueira's arm.

JM: Then in contrast to this clash of former champions we have Blagoy Ivanov vs. Jagroop Bhullar. Talk about contrasts. Ivanov is one of the toughest human beings alive. This is the man who literally survived a stab wound to the heart and came back to fight at the highest levels. He just walks through punishment.

HY: And Bhullar is the big wild card here. A young, massive heavyweight out of India, still very raw but with incredible upside. If he can keep Ivanov at range and use his size, he might shock people

TS: But Ivanov doesn’t get shocked easily. He’s fought everyone — Fedor, Derrick Lewis, Junior dos Santos. He thrives in these situations. That’s veteran savvy vs. youthful ambition right there.

JK: These are both draining fights and by that I mean taxing to the competitors. First we have two legends colliding and then we have the grueling style of Blagoy Ivanov as he takes on rising prospect Jagroop Bhullar.

KF: Plus don't forget the winners of these respective matches will collide. So we would potentially have another clash of champions in round two if former PFL champion Blagoy Ivanov advances to take on Mir or Werdum. So with that in mind let's see what Group B has to offer.

Group B
Kirill Kornilov vs. Chase Sherman
Sergei Kharitonov vs. Antonio Silva

KF: Wow! that first match is definitely quite the contrast. One of the finest kickboxers in MMA Kirill Kornilov takes on the hard nosed and gritty Chase Sherman. If Kornilov can't keep this technical he maybe in trouble.

DH: You've hit the nail on the head Kenny. This is all about minding your Ps and Qs. I made the same mistake myself once in a fight against Chris Lytle. I fell in love with the brawl and it bit me! Sherman is exactly that fighter capable of making you make mistakes.

JT: Then following that we have a true clash of veterans. A fight which honestly I'm surprised hasn't happened sooner. Antonio Silva vs. Sergei Kharitonov. Two guys who have seen it all and fought the very best. This will be violent.

JM: Exactly Josh. Two heavy hitters who love to exchange. The thing I'll be looking for is who can impose their will because neither man is known for letting up once they smell blood.

JK: This is in my opinion a fight for more than just advancing in the tournament it is all about legacy. These two have fought everyone there is to fight in heavyweight MMA between them except one another. This fight is truly a love letter to the times of old in MMA.

HY: This is a stunning group through and through with just nasty striking potential littered throughout. Group B truly encapsulates the past, present and future of heavyweight.

TS: I couldn't have put it better myself. This is why this tournament feels like March Madness. You’ve got a decorated newcomer, a proven brawler, and two absolute legends of the sport all in the same group. That’s popcorn television right there. Speaking of popcorn let's find out Group C.

Group C
Ali Isaev vs. Juan Espino
Jairzinho Rozenstruik vs. Cheick Kongo

KF: Ooh now we have a right mixture of styles in group C. Isaev vs. Espino. That's two incredible grapplers. Isaev with that Olympic wrestling pedigree, Espino with his funky, awkward, smothering jiu-jitsu. That’s going to be a real chess match on the mat.

DH: Yeah, and it’s rare in heavyweights to get two guys whose grappling is so high level. Isaev likes to grind people down, while Espino thrives on making fights ugly and sticky. Neither guy is flashy, but this one could be decided by who controls the clinch and scrambles.

JT: on the flip side, we’ve got Rozenstruik vs. Kongo. That is pure fireworks. Rozenstruik’s got that one-shot knockout power. We’ve all seen him end fights in seconds. But Kongo, man, he’s still dangerous at 48. He’s got the kickboxing background, the size, the experience. Don’t count him out.

JM: The danger here for Kongo is he can’t stand in front of Jairzinho too long. Rozenstruik doesn’t need an opening, he creates them with that explosive speed. But Kongo is a veteran’s veteran. He knows how to tie guys up, slow them down, make them frustrated. That’s where his experience could tilt the scales.

JK: What I like about this group is you get both ends of the spectrum. A technical grappling matchup and then a striker’s delight. It’s like a buffet for fight fans, no matter what style you love.

HY: And the stakes couldn’t be higher. Isaev is undefeated, Espino wants to prove he belongs, and then you’ve got Rozenstruik looking to rebuild momentum against a legend like Kongo. Every one of these guys has a different story, but they all intersect in Group C.

TS: That’s the magic of this tournament. Grappler vs. grappler, striker vs. striker. It doesn’t matter. They all lead to one goal: becoming the first GFL Heavyweight Champion. So with that let's check out Group D.

Group D
Mariusz Pudzianowski vs. Amir Aliakbari
Brett Martin vs. Todd Duffee

KF: Look at that! Pudzianowski vs. Aliakbari is straight-up power versus power. You’ve got the world’s strongest man against a Greco-Roman wrestling monster. That’s as physical as it gets.

DH: Yeah, this is a wild one. Pudzianowski is built like a tank, and while his MMA game is unorthodox, he can absorb punishment and throw bombs. But Aliakbari is younger, he’s explosive, and he can slam you through the mat. Whoever imposes their style first probably wins quick.

JT: And then the other side of this group. Brett Martin vs. Todd Duffee. Martin’s a dark horse. He’s young, gritty, and has that Midwest toughness. Duffee, meanwhile, is a guy who’s been on the big stage before. He’s got knockout power, but durability has always been the question.

JM: The key there is experience. Duffee has seen high-level competition, but Martin is hungry. He’s not going to care about Duffee’s résumé, he’s coming to make a name. This could be one of those fights where the veteran either reclaims the spotlight or the newcomer breaks through.

JK: What I like about Group D is how physical both matchups are. These are not finesse fights. These are guys who want to impose raw strength, pressure, and willpower. The fans are going to love this one.

HY: And it’s worth noting: if Pudzianowski and Aliakbari deliver the kind of clash we expect, the winner could come out as one of the most intimidating names in the entire tournament. Group D feels like the land of giants.

TS: Two fights, four big personalities, and a whole lot of muscle. You couldn’t draw up a more brutal group if you tried. Group D is going to be chaos. With that we then move onto Group E.

Group E
Robelis Despaigne vs. Matt Mitrione
Tyrell Fortune vs. Yorgan De Castro

DH: Whoa, look at this one! Robelis Despaigne, the Olympic taekwondo medalist turned MMA knockout artist against “Meathead” Matt Mitrione. That’s fireworks.

KF: Despaigne is such a wild card here. He’s relatively new to the sport, but his athleticism, size, and that long-range striking make him a nightmare. Mitrione, on the other hand, has seen it all Bellator, UFC, even a win over Fedor. He’s unpredictable, but when he’s on, he’s very dangerous.

JT: And then you’ve got Tyrell Fortune vs. Yorgan De Castro. That’s a grinder versus a brawler. Fortune is a high-level wrestler with improving stand-up, while De Castro is a guy who just throws bombs. He’s knocked out people with one punch before, and he’s compact, explosive, and tough.

JM: What I like about this group is the clash of styles. You’ve got elite athletes like Despaigne and Fortune trying to impose discipline and structure, and then veterans and heavy hitters like Mitrione and De Castro who thrive in chaos. Whoever keeps their composure probably advances.

JK: The size and explosiveness in these matchups really stand out. It’s not just raw power there’s a lot of athletic pedigree here, from wrestling to Olympic medals. Group E feels like it could give us the biggest “highlight-reel” finish of the opening round.

HY: Absolutely, and imagine if Despaigne wins impressively here. He’s already a rising star with that Olympic background. A big win could catapult him into being one of the faces of this tournament.

TS: Or Mitrione steals the show he’s always been a character. Either way, Group E is tailor-made for drama.

Group F
Ryan Bader vs. Roy Nelson
Martin Buday vs. Tanner Boser

KF: Now this is interesting. Ryan Bader, a two-division champion in Bellator, former UFC contender, taking on “Big Country” Roy Nelson. One of the most durable and fan-favorite heavyweights ever.

JT: Yeah, Bader’s wrestling and top control are his bread and butter. If he gets on top of Roy, that’s going to be heavy pressure. But Roy has that equalizer the big right hand. He’s been in there with everybody, and he’s one of the toughest guys to ever do it.

DH: What makes this fight fun is the contrast. Bader is all about discipline, cardio, grinding you out. Roy’s like: “Stand in front of me, let’s swing, and let’s see who drops first.” And sometimes, that approach works!

JM: Don’t count out Nelson’s experience, either. He’s been in wars, he knows how to survive bad positions, and he’s comfortable being the underdog. Bader cannot underestimate him.

HY: And then we’ve got Martin Buday vs. Tanner Boser. That’s a really sneaky good fight. Buday’s got momentum on his side, a big heavyweight with good composure. Boser is quick for a heavyweight, he’s light on his feet, and his striking can frustrate slower, more plodding opponents.

JK: I like that fight a lot it’s the “next generation” of heavyweights. Both Buday and Boser are looking to prove they belong at this level. Whoever wins could really break through as the dark horse of Group F.

TS: Plus, let’s not forget, if Buday or Boser pulls it off, their next fight could be against the winner of Bader/Nelson. That’s a huge opportunity to make a name for yourself off a legend or a proven champion.

Group G
Junior Dos Santos vs. Alexey Oleinik
Andrei Arlovski vs. Quinton Jackson

KF: Oh wow, this is classic. Junior Dos Santos, former UFC Heavyweight Champion, taking on “The Boa Constrictor” Alexey Oleinik, the man with more submission finishes than almost anyone in MMA history.

DH: Yeah, that’s the striker vs. grappler matchup at its purest. Dos Santos has world-class boxing and some of the best hands in heavyweight history. Oleinik? If he grabs your neck, it could be over in seconds.

JT: And don’t forget, Oleinik is incredibly durable. He’s taken punishment before and still found ways to pull off those Ezekiel chokes. The question is whether he can get inside on JDS without eating that big right hand.

JM: That’s the beauty of heavyweight MMA. It could be one clean punch, or one slip into a choke, and the fight ends just like that.

HY: Then on the other side of the bracket, Andrei Arlovski vs. Quinton “Rampage” Jackson. I mean, come on, that’s a dream fight. Two legends, both former champions, both with highlight reels a mile long.

JK: Arlovski’s had such a long career resurgence, still fighting at a high level with smart strategy and footwork. Rampage is pure power, swagger, and charisma. When those two step into the cage, the energy in the arena is going to be electric.

TS: Rampage is always dangerous, and Arlovski has been known to get into firefights. If he fights smart, he can use his speed and range. But if he stands and bangs with Rampage? That could end badly.

KF: Either way, Group G is fireworks waiting to happen. Dos Santos vs. Oleinik, Arlovski vs. Rampage. That’s MMA history colliding with the present.

Group H
Alexander Podmarev vs. Roman Lukashevich
Ant Cassar vs. Jarod Trice

KF: This is an interesting group. Podmarev and Lukashevich, two Eastern European big men both still carving out their names, but with a ton of raw potential. This is one of those fights where a new star could be born.

DH: Exactly. They might not have the long resumes of a Werdum or a Dos Santos, but they’ve got that “unknown variable” factor. At heavyweight, one upset can change the whole tournament picture.

JT: I think what stands out most here though is Cassar vs. Trice. You’re talking about two elite-level wrestlers stepping into a fight where neither is going to want to give an inch. That’s a grindy, physical matchup on paper.

JM: And it’s a bit of a coin toss stylistically. Both have world-class wrestling pedigrees, both are still developing their striking. Whoever can impose their will first, whether it’s top control or cage pressure, that’s who’s walking out with the win.

JK: But there’s also the storyline side of this these are the kind of fights that showcase the future. Cassar and Trice could both become real players in this division, and this is the kind of matchup that will show us who’s ready to level up faster.

HY: I love that contrast, two veterans of the amateur wrestling scene, now colliding in MMA. It’s a proving ground fight for sure.

TS: And if you ask me, Cassar has that X-factor. Olympic-level pedigree, massive upside. But Trice? He’s explosive, athletic, and hungry. I wouldn’t count him out for a second.

KF: Group H may not have the same name recognition as Group G, but it’s the bracket where future stars could be forged. Don’t be surprised if the eventual dark horse of this whole tournament comes out of here.

TS: So with that in mind let's take a look at the full cards for the first two events in GFL history which will feature the opening rounds of the heavyweight title tournament. The prelims will be featuring a variety of heavyweight prospects and veterans looking to make their mark.

GFL 1
Prelims
Miha Frlic (5-0-1) vs. Anthony Guarascio (3-1)
Maurice Greene (12-9) vs. Augusto Sakai (17-6-1)
Jake Collier (14-11) vs. Hatef Moeil (16-4)
Anthony Hamilton (22-12) vs. Tony Johnson (18-9-2)
Josh Parisian (15-8) vs. Joe Faglier (4-0)
Parker Porter (14-9) vs. Pavel Dailidko (10-2)
Timothy Johnson (18-12) vs. Dequan Townsend (27-13)
Satoshi Ishii (25-13-) vs. Henrique Da Silva (20-10)
Main Card
Mariusz Pudzianowski (17-10) vs. Amir Aliakbari (15-4)
Kirill Kornilov (19-2-1) vs. Chase Sherman (16-12)
Alexander Podmarev (23-5) vs. Roman Lukashevich (10-0)
Yorgan De Castro (12-7) vs. Tyrell Fortune (17-3)
Martin Buday (16-2) vs. Tanner Boser (22-10-2)
Cheick Kongo (31-12-2) vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik (15-6)
Junior Dos Santos (16-10) vs. Alexey Oleinik (61-18-1)
Frank Mir (19-13) vs. Fabricio Werdum (24-9-1)

GFL 2
Prelims
Marsel Sychev (4-1) vs. Eduardo Perez (4-1)
Shamil Abdurakhimov (20-8) vs. Will Fleury (15-3)
Shah Kamali (4-1) vs. Gable Steveson (1-0)
Juan Adams (10-5) vs. Javad Mahjoub (3-0)
Matunga Djikasa (8-5) vs. Vladimir Daineko (17-5)
Denzel Freeman (6-1) vs. Don'Tayle Mayes (11-9)
Marcos Rogério de Lima (22-9-1) vs. Stuart Austin (19-8)
Szymon Kołecki (12-2) vs. Greg Hardy (7-5)
Main Card
Ant Cassar (2-0) vs. Jarod Trice (5-0)
Ali Isaev (9-0-1) vs. Juan Espino (10-2)
Robelis Despaigne (5-2) vs. Matt Mitrione (13-9)
Brett Martin (11-1) vs. Todd Duffee (9-4)
Sergei Kharitonov (36-9) vs. Antonio Silva (19-15)
Blagoy Ivanov (19-7) vs. Jagroop Bhullar (10-1)
Ryan Bader (31-8) vs. Roy Nelson (23-19)
Andrei Arlovski (34-24) vs. Rampage Jackson (37-14)

 

[Shade]

GFL 1

AT&T STADIUM | ARLINGTON, TEXAS ​

MG: Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas — the biggest stage in combat sports, where we will bare witness to the first part of the opening round of the GFL Heavyweight championship tournament. Tonight on our main card there will be 16 men all vying to advance to the second round and get one step closer to heavyweight greatness.

BS: Tonight is going to be wild. We have the first of two consecutive, back to back all heavyweight cards. Fights like this with guys this big promise violence! The fans here in Texas are in for a treat!

RB: Look at this crowd, guys. Over fifteen thousand strong here in Arlington. You can feel the electricity. The energy in this building is unreal. You can almost taste it

MG: The world has waited for a true global heavyweight platform, and tonight… we deliver it. Every fighter who walks through that tunnel knows that one punch, one kick, or one takedown could change their career forever.

BS: And the stakes couldn’t be higher. By the time this tournament is done, one man will hold the richest prize in combat sports... The GFL Heavyweight Championship.

RB: Before we get to the main card, though, we’ve got a stacked preliminary lineup to kick things off. Fighters looking to earn their place on this massive stage. We start with two hungry newcomers looking to make a statement as Miha Frlic takes on Anthony Guarascio.

The Walkmen
Miha Frlic - Lose yourself by Eminem
Anthony Guarascio - Mama said knock you out by LL Cool J

Miha Frlic (5-0-1) vs. Anthony Guarascio (3-1)
This fight would very much be controlled by the composed and patient striking approach of Miha Frlic. After some early exchanges in round one, Frlic would cap off a dominant round with a takedown which allowed him to impose his top control and pressure. Seemingly feeling the pressure Guarascio would up the aggression with some downright reckless charges. This allowed Frlic to catch him coming in with a flush right hand dropping Anthony. With Anthony hurt, Frlic pounced on Anthony and landed several elbows to his downed opponent until the referee stepped in.
Result: Miha Frlic (6-0-1) defeated Anthony Guarascio (3-2) by 2nd round TKO (1:46)

MG: That's all folks! Miha Frlic gets it done in round two! In brutal fashion might I add with those elbows following that big right hand.

RB: This was pure composure under fire. That’s a man who doesn’t panic. You could see it, he downloaded everything Guarascio was doing in that first round and waited for his moment to strike. That was clean, clinical, and nasty.

BS: Yeah, he didn’t waste anything. Frlic fought like a veteran tonight. He let Guarascio bring the chaos, and when he did.. bang! one shot changed the whole fight.

MG: On the note of veterans our next contest of the night will see two veterans collide as Maurice Greene takes on Augusto Sakai.

The Walkmen
Maurice Greene (12-9) – “No Friends” by T Billa
Augusto Sakai (17-6-1) – “Born to Run” by Bruce Springsteen

Maurice Greene (12-9) vs. Augusto Sakai (17-6-1)
The fight began with Greene trying to establish his range, working long jabs and front kicks to keep Sakai at bay. Sakai, however, showed patience and smart pressure, closing the distance behind leg kicks and short hooks. In round two, the tide turned as Sakai began walking Greene down, trapping him against the fence and unloading heavy combinations. After a dominant second round, in the third round Sakai in the clinch would land a series of hard uppercuts which had Greene hurt until the official pulled him off.
Result: Augusto Sakai (18-6-1) beat Maurice Greene (12-10) by 3rd round TKO
MG: Augusto Sakai brings the heat tonight! Once he found his range, it was all downhill for Maurice Greene.
RB: Yeah, that’s vintage Sakai. Relentless forward pressure, big combinations. Greene had his moments early, but once he got trapped on that fence, it was target practice.
BS: You can tell Sakai came in with a point to prove. That’s a big, confident performance from a man who wants another shot at the top.

MG: It's now time for our third fight of the evening. As veteran Jake Collier will take on Germany's Hatef Moeil in what is Moeil's American debut!
The Walkmen
Jake Collier (14-11) – “Are You Ready” by AC/DC*
Hatef Moeil (16-4) – “Can’t Be Touched” by Roy Jones Jr.

Jake Collier (14-11) vs. Hatef Moeil (16-4)
From the opening bell this bout would be a showcase for Hatef Moeil. With his sharp boxing, tight defense and precise counter striking. Collier did look to push the pace in the early going but despite the aggression, the German stayed calm. Landing some stiff jabs and body shots to slow Collier down. As the round wore on Moeil began to dictate the tempo. This included landing some big combinations one ended with clean straight right. Wobbling Collier with this shot, Moeil smelled blood in the water and followed up with several knees in the clinch which dropped Collier for a blistering knockout.
Result: Hatef Moeil (17-4) beat Jake Collier (14-12) by 1st round knockout (4:24)

MG: What a statement win for Hatef Moeil in his U.S. debut! He looked sharp, calm, and dangerous tonight.

BS: Absolutely. Collier came to scrap, but Moeil’s timing was just next level. Those counters were crisp.

RB: That’s how you introduce yourself to the American fans. Moeil’s got the tools, the composure, and now a highlight finish to go with it.

MG: Our next fight of the night will see two seasoned veterans of the heavyweight ranks. Anthony Hamilton and Tony Johnson, both power punchers, both with years of experience, and both looking to make a statement here tonight!

The Walkmen
Anthony Hamilton (22-12) – “Only Fear Death” by 2Pac
Tony Johnson (18-9-2) – “Remember the Name” by Fort Minor

Anthony Hamilton (22-12) vs. Tony Johnson (18-9-2)
With both men noted for their power. It was no surprise that this fight started out a little more measured with both men sticking to their jabs. This would be until Tony Johnson attempted a big overhand right when at the same time Hamilton would time a perfectly landed left uppercut. This would drop Johnson to a knee while Hamilton quickly followed him to the ground with several hammerfists for an early knockout victory.
Result: Anthony Hamilton (23-12) defeated Tony Johnson (18-10-2) by 1st round knockout (1:14)
MG: Anthony Hamilton turned back the clock tonight! That was vintage grit and power.
BS: Hamilton was dialed in tonight. He saw his opening and he took it in vicious fashion.

RB: What a moment for Anthony Hamilton. You love to see it when a veteran gets a win like this in emphatic fashion.

MG: Our next bout of the night will see veteran Josh Parisian look to play the spoiler against young, unbeaten prospect Joe Faglier. There is a lot of hype about Faglier, let's see if he can pass the biggest test of his career to date.

The Walkmen
Josh Parisian (15-8) – “Your Soul” by Hippie Sabotage
Joe Faglier (4-0) – “Public Service Announcement” by Jay-Z

Josh Parisian (15-8) vs. Joe Faglier (4-0)
As the round opened we would see both men testing the distance. Despite Parisian throwing a few jabs, the speed and timing of Faglier was quickly apparent. This was on display midway through the round when a big left hook right uppercut combination wobbled Parisian. From here Parisian would adapt and look to clinch against the cage but Faglier managed to pick him off including with a big one two combination which floored Parisian. As Parisian was looking up at the lights the official waved off the contest before more damage could be done!
Result: Joe Faglier (5-0) defeated Josh Parisian (15-9) by 1st round knockout (3:32)

BS: Joe Faglier is the real deal! What a performance!
MG: What a statement to make! 24 years old and he just proved he more than belonged in the GFL Heavyweight division!

RB: the kid came in cool, calm, collected, and just dismantled a seasoned heavyweight. Eyes will be on Faglier after that performance.

MG: Our next fight of the night will be a styles clash. As the grinding Parker Porter will welcome heavy hitting Pavel Dailidko to the cage for his US debut.

The Walkmen
Parker Porter (14-9) – “The Message” by Grandmaster Flash
Pavel Dailidko (10-2) – “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana

Parker Porter (14-9) vs. Pavel Dailidko (10-2)
For the next fight of the night, unfortunately for fans in attendance we would see for the first two rounds and a key part of the third round some heavy fence based action. As Parker Porter was able to initiate his grappling game with this clinch heavy, grinding affair. With the crowd in attendance growing restless from the lack of action. As the third round began Porter looked to resume his control only for Pavel to manage to break free from the clinch. During Porter's attempts to close the distance, Pavel connected with a standing elbow which led to Porter falling like a tree to the mat for a vicious knockout.
Result: Pavel Dailidko (11-2) defeated Parker Porter (14-10) by 3rd round knockout (1:19)

MG: Ladies and Gentleman.. Pavel Dailidko.. What a finish!

RB: We did say this was a clash of styles. But man you can't give Pavel any space at all!

BS: Porter had a great gameplan. But as we said with heavyweights it only takes one shot and that was the case here.
MG: As we near the end of our prelims for tonight we have two fights left. The first of which will see two veterans collide as Timothy Johnson battles Dequan Townsend.
The Walkmen
Timothy Johnson (18-12) – “Blaze of Glory” by Bon Jovi
Dequan Townsend (27-13) – “Till I Collapse” by Eminem

Timothy Johnson (18-12) vs. Dequan Townsend (27-13)
The next bout of the night very much was the epitome of far from flashy but effective. Instead it was very much a brawl from the off. Timothy Johnson would very much look to implement the clinch and his dirty boxing as he pressed Townsend against the fence. Dequan meanwhile would find success at range with his punches and kicks. This would be more the case in the second round as Townsend continued to land shots at range while Johnson looked to close the distance. As we got into the third round it was clear that both men were tired as the pace started to slow. With the slower tempo this fight pace allowed Johnson to use his wrestling and maintain top position to ride out the round.
Result: Timothy Johnson (19-12) defeated Dequan Townsen (27-14) by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27).

MG: Both of these guys are battle hardened veterans. They may have miles on the odometer but both of these men can still go.

BS: This fight very much showed both men off. Townsend he's dangerous and that's someone who you've got to beat. He is not someone who is going to beat himself and Johnson did just that.

RB: This was classic Timothy Johnson. Just a hard nosed and gritty performance. It may not be a highlight reel performance but a win is a win none the less.

MG: Now it is time for the final fight on the prelims as Olympian Judoka Satoshi Ishii takes on Brazil's Henrique "Frankenstein" Da Silva!

The Walkmen
Satoshi Ishii (25-13-1) – “Sandstorm” by Darude
Henrique da Silva (19-9) – “Back in Black” by AC/DC

Satoshi Ishii (25-13-1) vs. Henrique Da Silva (20-10)
From the opening bell this fight would see Satoshi Ishii looking to close the distance on Henrique Da Silva. This would prove effective in the early going as he trapped Da Silva in the clinch and backed him into the cage. From here we'd see Ishii's Judo on display with a trip. Any excitement in the crowd from soon be dulled as Ishii smothered his opponent and very much rode out the round. Round two very much followed the same theme with Ishii smothering Da Silva with his top control and riding out the second round. By round three we would hear boos rippling out through the building as Ishii continued his game plan and controlled Da Silva for the decision.
Result: Satoshi Ishii (26-13-1) defeated Henrique Da Silva (20-11) by unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
BS: Hey I know the fans aren't impressed but a win is a win.

MG: Ishii is a top control expert. Da Silva unfortunately couldn't break out from it.

RB: You can't argue with the effectiveness. Ishii's Olympic pedigree was on display. All control with zero risk.

MG: We will now head to the main card where we will begin the GFL Heavyweight championship tournament!

[Cue the GFL Theme Song]

The arena darkens — lights pulse in rhythm with the music. Giant LED graphics fill the AT&T Stadium screens, showing all 16 heavyweight tournament competitors. Each fighter’s face flashes with their flag, record, and highlight clip, timed to the beat.

Pyro erupts from the stage, fireworks shooting into the rafters as the crowd roars.

DG {Dasha Gonzalez}: Ladies and gentlemen, welcome… to the opening round of the GFL Heavyweight Championship Tournament!

As the graphics fade, the arena lights dim again.

Usher steps into the center of the GFL cage, microphone in hand.
A single spotlight falls on him.

MG (voiceover): And to officially kick off tonight’s main card — please rise for the singing of the United States National Anthem, performed by global music icon… Usher.

Usher delivers a soulful rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” as the crowd waves flags and lights shimmer throughout the stadium.

BS: Man, this feels big time. This isn’t just a tournament — this is a moment.
MG: It is now time to get the GFL Heavyweight rolling. I don't think we can start this any better than a true clash of the titans as Mariusz Pudzianowski battles Amir Aliakbari.
RB: This is two of the most physically intimidating heavyweights colliding. This is literally two of the most physically dominating heavyweights clashing.

BS: Both of these guys look like they was carved from granite. We have a legendary strongman from Poland against an Iranian wrestling machine. This is a clash of Strength and Grit!

The Walkmen
Mariusz Pudzianowski (17–10) – “Po Prostu Soba Bądź” by Ich Troje
Amir Aliakbari (15–4) – “Warriors” by Imagine Dragons

Mariusz Pudzianowski (17-10) vs. Amir Aliakbari (15-4)
The arena roared as these two bulls met right in the center of the cage. Mariusz Pudzianowski clearly had a game plan in this fight which was end things quickly as he threw several wild punches at Aliakbari. Aliakbari however managed to stay composed and use his footwork to avoid these attacks before finally we'd see the wrestling pedigree as Amir effortlessly took Mariusz down to the mat. Once on the mat this fight was all Amir who quickly secured the mount before he'd land a flurry of strikes on Pudzianowski until the referee had seen enough!
Result: Amir Aliakbari (1-4) defeated Mariusz Pudzianowski (17-11) by 1st round TKO (3:04)

MG: What a statement by Amir Aliakbari!
RB: This is a man to be feared. We saw some great composure here against the wild attacks before the brutal efficiency of his wrestling kicked in.

BS: That's the kind of showing which makes you a front runner. Pudzianowski is a tough guy but he ran into a wall here!

MG: Following that dominant display of grappling. The next bout of the night promises to be a striking affair as Kirill Kornilov will fight Chase Sherman.
The Walkmen
Kirill Kornilov (19-2-1) – “Remember the Name” by Fort Minor
Chase Sherman (16-12) – “Coming Back” by Citizen Cope

Kirill Kornilov (19-2-1) vs. Chase Sherman (16-12)
The fight would very much live up to expectation as a pure kickboxing conflict. Very much contested at range the opening round would serve as a showcase for Kornilov's abilities. This included a stiff jab and some strong leg kicks. As we entered the second round Sherman would attempt to up the aggression and actually landed some good shots before Kornilov clinched with Sherman and landed some effective clinch knees to the body. To end the second round Kornilov landed a head kick to wobble Sherman. The third round would be all heart from Sherman as he continued to press on despite Kornilov landing strike after strike. This culminated with a spinning back kick to the midsection of Sherman which hurt him badly on the bell.
Result: Kirill Kornilov (20-2-1) defeated Chase Sherman (16-13) by unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
MG: what a fight that was. Credit to Chase Sherman for the heart on display but what a showing for Kornilov.

BS: Chase Sherman is a tough dude. You can feel every shot landed by Kornilov. What precision from Kornilov.

RB: Precision, poise, patience and power. Kornilov looked every bit of a future contender here!

MG: We are now two fights into the tournament and our next bout is one we've personally waited for. This will see two European prospects battle as Alexander Podmarev takes on the unbeaten Roman Lukashevich.

The Walkmen:
Alexander Podmarev (23-5) – “Till I Collapse” by Eminem
Roman Lukashevich (10-0) – “Indestructible” by Disturbed

Alexander Podmarev (23-5) vs. Roman Lukashevich (10-0)
This fight would start cautious with both men probing with jabs. This would be until Roman began to up the aggression with some looping punches. Podmarev would manage to stay composed despite the aggressive attacks and this included a few stiff counter strikes to close out the opening round. During round two we would see Roman land a big overhand which wobbled Podmarev and follow up with a big double leg takedown. From here Lukashevich would punish Podmarev with ground and pound and attempt several submissions to close out round two. During round three Roman looked to continue this domination and in the early stages he would very much do so. This would be Podmarev caught Roman rushing in with a sharp counter right. A step in left hook would follow and this would drop Lukashevich leading to the official calling for the stoppage.
Result: Alexander Podmarev (24-5) defeated Roman Lukashevich (10-1) by 3rd round TKO (3:46)

MG: Alexander Podmarev! What a victory for the veteran.
RB: This is the kind of performance which makes Podmarev a dark horse. He dragged this fight into deep water here against a tough opponent and pulled off the win.

BS: This is a huge win! Lukashevich had all the hype in the world and for the first two rounds looked incredible. But Podmarev's composure and veteran savvy pulled through.

MG: We are now three fights down in the GFL heavyweight title tournament and it's now time for our fourth which will be a striker vs. grappler clash as Tyrell Fortune battles Yorgan De Castro.

The Walkmen
Tyrell Fortune (13-3) – “DNA.” by Kendrick Lamar
Yorgan De Castro (9-5) – “Hustlin’” by Rick Ross

Yorgan De Castro (12-7) vs. Tyrell Fortune (17-3)
As soon as the bell rung for this fight, Yorgan De Castro's game plan was clear as he aggressively came out swinging. Fortune would stay calm despite the danger and eventually secured a big double leg takedown which would very much set the story of the fight. As once the takedown was secured, Fortune would manage to control De Castro. The same was said for the second round when Fortune in fact slammed De Castro down to the canvas before continue to hold De Castro down from the half guard position. Despite Yorgan again coming out swinging in the third, it didn't take long for Fortune to secure another takedown and ride out the round!
Result: Tyrell Fortune (18-3) defeated Yorgan De Castro (12-8) by unanimous decision (30-2 x3)
MG: That was an elite level showcase of wrestling for Tyrell Fortune.
BS: He shut De Castro down completely. As powerful as De Castro is.. That power cannot be generated off his back.
RB: It may not have been pretty but it was certainly effective.

MG: Following this we now have our next bout of the night as Martin Buday takes on Tanner Boser.

The Walkmen
Martin Buday – “New Level” by A$AP Ferg
Tanner Boser – “Motorcycle” by Colter Wall

Martin Buday (16-2) vs. Tanner Boser (22-10-2)
From the opening bell it was clear this was a game of inches. As Tanner Boser looked to stay light on his feet and use his striking while Buday constantly looked to clinch up with his opponent. For most of the opening round it was Boser who was able to implement his game and keep Buday at range. This was until the closing moments where Buday initiated a trip to end the round. During round two Boser looked to remain mobile until Buday caught a kick and took Boser down. On the ground Buday would manage to navigate to side control before muscling Boser into position for a nasty kimura which forced him to tap!
Result: Martin Buday (17-2) defeated Tanner Boser (22-11-2) by Submission (Kimura) in round 2 (2:34)

MG: That was nasty. It looked like Boser got caught in a bear trap with that torque.

RB: We have our first submission of the night and it was nasty!

BS: Buday is scary. He may not be flashy but he just wears on you and then will take a limb from you if he can.

MG: Up next we have a strikers delight as Cheick Kongo battles Jairzinho Rozenstruik!
The Walkmen
Cheick Kongo – “Walk the Night” by Rackstarz
Jairzinho Rozenstruik – “Rodman Mane Bigi Boy”

Cheick Kongo (31-12-2) vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik (15-6)
Two of the more physically imposing men in the tournament would do battle in the next fight of the night. Both aware of one another's striking resumes and power it appeared there was a lot of respect between Cheick Kongo and Jairzinho Rozenstruik. Both would circle around one another remaining patient with Kongo firing off some jabs and low kicks. Looking to pick up the tempo Kongo would aim for a body kick only for Rozenstruik to land a counter left hook on the temple. Kongo falls face first on the mat as the official calls a stop to the contest.
Result: Jairzinho Rozenstruik (16-6) defeated Cheick Kongo (31-13-2) by 1st round knockout (1:26)
MG: Kongo is down. Bigi Boy connected and shut the lights off!

BS: When Bigi Boy finds that chin he doesn't mess around.

RB: This was a statement maker. Kongo is a established veteran and Jairzinho just ran through him.

MG: We now are at our co-main event of the evening as former world champion Junior Dos Santos takes on dangerous submission artist Alexey Oleinik.

The Walkmen
Junior Dos Santos - “Gonna Fly Now” by Bill Conti
Alexey Oleinik - “The Ballad of Fighting” by Vladimir Vysotsky

Junior Dos Santos (16-10) vs. Alexey Oleinik (61-18-1)
The fight would very much get off to a hot start as Alexey Oleinik looked to clinch with Junior Dos Santos and bring him down to the canvas. To his credit Dos Santos would defend well and manage to land a stiff jab on occasion which soon marked the face of Alexey. JDS would manage to continue to block takedowns and land some punches. This included a big uppercut off a failed takedown attempt followed by a big overhand right for a vicious knockout finish!
Result: Junior Dos Santos (17-10) defeated Alexey Oleinik (61-19-1) by 1st round KO (2:13)

MG: Cigano! What a statement from Junior Dos Santos as he turns back the clock tonight!

RB: Absolutely. Great experience and composure from Junior here.
BS: Dos Santos is the people's champion and honestly he could be a dark horse in this tournament.

MG: We are now set for our main event of the evening as in a submission specialist dream match Frank Mir will take on Fabricio Werdum.

The Walkmen
Frank Mir - Amazing by Kanye West
Fabricio Werdum - “Amigo” by Roberto Carlos

Frank Mir (19-13) vs. Fabricio Werdum (24-9-1)
This fight would very much start slowly as both men clearly respected one another's game. As both slowly began to open up through the opening round we would see Werdum quite light on his feet showcasing his chute box training while Mir was more flat footed and heavy handed. While Mir was shown to be the bigger puncher Werdum would very much showcase a more varied range of striking in the opening round. The second round would continue on this path with Werdum actually opening up more and briefly stunning Frank Mir with a flying knee attempt. The third round meanwhile would see Mir look to up the aggression and he actually landed some heavy punches on Werdum until Fabricio shot in for a takedown. However this would not be the grappling contest we thought as Werdum began landing some vicious ground elbows to Mir forcing him to cover up until the official called for the bell.
Result: Fabricio Werdum (25-9-1) defeated Frank Mir (19-14) by 3rd round TKO (3:11)
BS: What a clinic by Fabricio Werdum. Frank Mir showed his heart, but Werdum looked like a man on a mission tonight. If this is how he’s starting his run, he’s a serious threat to go all the way.

MG: What a finish! Fabricio Werdum closes the show in style, advancing to the second round of the GFL Heavyweight Championship Tournament!

RB: Vintage Fabricio! smart, technical, and absolutely ruthless when he smelled the finish.

MG: Ladies and gentlemen, that brings an incredible night to a close here in Arlington, Texas. Eight men advance and sixteen remain. The road to the GFL Heavyweight Title continues!

 

[Shade]

GFL 2
T Mobile Arena | Las Vegas, Nevada​

MG: Ladies and Gentleman good evening and welcome to the Global Fight League night two. We are here in the fight capital of the world Las Vegas for the second night in the opening round of the GFL Heavyweight championship tournament. Once again tonight on our main card there will be 16 heavyweights all vying to get one step closer to being named the first GFL Heavyweight champion!

BS: The first night of the GFL Heavyweight championship tournament was insane. We saw some absolutely wild moments and brutal finishes. Tonight very much promises to be the same.

RB: The buzz here tonight is electric. To say the last show overdelivered would be an understatement. We saw veterans getting their flowers, legends turning back the clock once more and newcomers making their name on the biggest stage.

MG: That's right Robin. These fighters know this is absolutely life changing for them. They have the opportunity of the century with this tournament.

BS: that is correct to hold a world championship is special but there is something more so about being the very first.

RB: Before we get there however we have our preliminary card with matches packed with heavyweight talents all looking to make their mark on the GFL.

MG: We will begin tonight with a clash between two young heavyweight prospects as Marsel Sychev takes on Eduardo Perez!

The Walkmen
Marsel Sychev – “Till I Collapse” by Eminem
Eduardo Perez – “Vivir Mi Vida” by Marc Anthony

Marsel Sychev (4-1) vs. Eduardo Perez (4-1)
The opening bout of GFL 2 saw two young heavyweights eager to make a statement. While Eduardo Perez would start this bout with crisp boxing and some strong leg kicks to keep Marsel at bay. We would see Marsel using a strong jab of his own and mixing in his wrestling. As we entered round two this fight was akin to a chess match with Perez bringing the volume as he frequently attacked his opponent while Marsel constantly looked to counter. The third round would see both men feeling the effect of the fight as they were clearly fatigued and resorted to using the clinch to land strikes on one another until the bell rang.
Result: Marsel Sychev (5-1) defeated Eduardo Perez (4-2) by split decision (30-27, 28-29 and 29-28).

MG: What a way to kick off tonight's event. A true war of attrition between two young, hungry heavyweights.

RB: Personally not a fan of that result. I did think Perez had done enough. However it was a close fight and I do not think anyone should be winning all three rounds unanimously.

BS: You can see Perez feels the same way. He thought he had done enough also. But it is Sychev who leaves at 5-1.

MG: Our next fight of the evening will see veteran Shamil Abdurakhimov in action as he takes on Ireland's Will Fleury.

The Walkmen
Shamil Abdurakhimov - “Alugho” by Youth of Dagestan
Will Fluery - We will rock you by Queen

Shamil Abdurakhimov (20-8) vs. Will Fleury (15-3)
Experience would very much be the top trump in this fight. As from the very beginning of this contest Shamil would look to close the gap and initiate the clinch. This would prove effective as he would manage to press Fleury against the fence and begin smothering him with his grappling. During Fleury's attempts to fire back, he would be taken down to the canvas and controlled by Shamil to ride out the round. Round two would very much continue this trend of control with Shamil even threatening a kimura to close the second round. During the third round a frustrated and worn down Fleury would finally begin to have some moments on the feet but sadly these would be few and far between as Shamil again much to the crowd's frustration managed to stifle out the round.
Result: Shamil Abdurakhimov (21-8)defeated Will Fleury (15-4) by unanimous decision (30-17 x3)

MG: this was a clinic in control by Shamil. It may not be pretty but it was effective.

BS: Fleury just couldn't find a way to combat the grappling. Once Shamil got his hands on him it was all down hill.

RB: We've seen it time and time again. These fighters just make you carry their weight. That was 15 minutes of misery for Will.

MG: Up next we have one of our more anticipated non tournament fights of the night as Gable Steveson has his second pro fight against Shah Kamali.

Walkmen
Shah Kamali - Lose Control by Missy Elliott
Gable Steveson - Big Poppa by the Notorious B.I.G

Shah Kamali (4-1) vs. Gable Steveson (1-0)
Looking to shock the world here Shah Kamali would come out very aggressive to start this fight. As he'd attempt to land a big front kick. Gable however would manage to duck the strike and secure a high crotch lift slamming Kamali down to the canvas. From there it was all a dominant showing from Gable who quickly secured side control and then a crucifix before he'd land a series of crushing punches and elbows until the official called for the bell.
Result: Gable Steveson (2-0) defeated Shah Kamali (4-2) by 1st round TKO (1:15)

MG: That was a statement. Gable Steveson is here to stay ladies and gentlemen.

BS: You can feel the olympic pedigree here. Gable didn't give Kamali a chance to breathe.

RB: That was a scary performance. He turned a takedown into a finish before Kamali even knew what had hit him.

MG: We will continue now with our second heavyweight olympian in action as Javad Mahjoub takes on veteran Juan Adams.

Walkmen
Juan Adams - Bad Man” by imk.a.y.o
Javad Mahjoub - Eye of the tiger by survivor

Juan Adams (10-5) vs. Javad Mahjoub (3-0)
As the fight opened up it appeared Juan Adams very much had a game plan to fight at a distance and stick behind his jab. However it soon become clear that Javad had little interest in playing the distance game as he waded forward and managed to trip Juan Adams to bring him down to the canvas. On the ground it would be clear there was a huge skill difference as Javad easily passed Adams guard and made it to mount. It would be here that Javad secured an armbar for a submission victory.
Result: Javad Mahjoub (4-0) defeated Juan Adams (10-6) by submission (armbar) in round one (2:01)

BS: Wow! Mahjoub just ran through Adams. This wasn't even close once it got to the mat.

MG: Adams clearly had a solid gameplan but once Javad clinched up with him it was over.

RB: Javad has a judo background and the scary part is we don't know what the rest of his game is like. We saw little of his striking.

MG: Our next bout of the night will see Russia and Congo collide as Validimir Daineko will face Matunga Djikasa.

Walkmen
Matunga Djikasa - Many Men by 50 Cent
Vladimir Daineko - Lose Control by Meduza

Matunga Djikasa (8-5) vs. Vladimir Daineko (17-5)
This was a fight which had little in the way of a feeling out process as Matunga Djikasa went straight onto the offense. His hands low and his foot work sharp, Djikasa would throw wild combinations and looping hooks at Djikasa. Daineko meanwhile would stay more composted and patient with his approach and soon we saw why as he caught Matunga rushing in with a straight right hand which put Matunga down for a one punch knockout.
Result: Vladimir Daineko (18-5) defeated Matunga Djikasa (8-6) by 1st round knockout (1:18)

MG: What a statement by Vladimir Daineko! That precision was scary.

BS: We knew Daineko had power and precision but this was big. Djikasa walked right into that shot.

RB: He didn't even break a sweat. This was a terrifying performance by Daineko.

MG: Our next bout of the night will see Alexander Soldatkin take on veteran Don'Tayle Mayes in his American debut.

Walkmen
Alexander Soldatkin - Indestructible by Disturbed
Don'Tayle Mayes - I'm Supposed to Die tonight by 50 Cent

Alexander Soldatkin (17-5) vs. Don'Tayle Mayes (11-9)
From the opening bell Alexander Soldatkin would establish his dominance. Walking Mayes down right away and looking to cut the cage off. Mayes would try to use his range and striking to keep Soldatkin at bay, however he would back up into the cage and in a sledgehammer punch which dropped Mayes. Quickly Soldatkin dove into the guard of Mayes and landed some brutal follow up elbows for a knockout victory
Result: Alexander Soldatkin (18-5) defeated Don'Tayle Mayes (11-10) by 1st round knockout (0:59)

MG: That was nasty. Alexander Soldatkin offered his opponent little respect or time to breathe.

BS: Soldatkin was a man on a mission. That was killer instinct.

RB: Soldatkin wasn't being paid by the minute that is for sure. He made a big impact here.

MG: Our next fight of the night will be a clash of veterans as Marcos Rogerio De Lima takes on Stuart Austin.

Walkmen
Marcos Rogerio De Lima - “Remember the Name” by Fort Minor
Stuart Austin - London calling by the Clash

Marcos Rogério de Lima (22-9-1) vs. Stuart Austin (19-8)
Unfortunately for English fans this would be an absolutely dominant showing for Marcos Rogerio De Lima. As we'd see a suffocating and grinding showcase of grappling ability. This would begin with a blast double in the first round and we'd very much see a big differential in the grappling game. From here De Lima would very much smother Austin and punish him with ground and pound which was the story of the bout as Austin could never get back to his feet once the fight hit the mat. In the third De Lima would come close to securing an Americana to no avail before claiming a decision victory.
Result: Marcos Rogerio De Lima (23-9-1) defeated Stuart Austin (19-9) by unanimous decision (30-27 x3)

MG: What a dominant showing by Marcos Rogerio De Lima. That is a standout showing for him.

BS: De Lima is someone who can really do it all. He didn't give Austin a break here at all.

RB: Very impressed with De Lima. This was one of the best showings of his career!

MG: We are now at out last fight on the prelims as Poland's Szymon Kolecki takes on Greg Hardy.

Walkmen
Szymon Kolecki - Sound of Silence by Disturbed
Greg Hardy - Raise Up by Petey Pablo

Szymon Kołecki (12-2) vs. Greg Hardy (7-5)
The third olympian on the card tonight Szymon Kolecki would take on a fighter just as powerful as him in Greg Hardy. With Hardy in the early going looking to use his noted speed advantage in the hopes of overwhelming Kolecki. We'd see however the former powerlifter Kolecki would soon land a massive overhand on Hardy which changed the fight drastically. As Hardy backed up a short left hook followed dropping Hardy for an early KO loss.
Result: Szymon Kolecki (13-2) defeated Greg Hardy (7-6) by 1st round knockout (0:45)

MG: what a connection! Szymon Kolocki makes it three for three for the olympians tonight.

BS: Hardy got bitten by his own aggression here. He rushed into danger and it cost him.

RB: I agree, Kolecki made him pay for his aggression!

MG: We will now officially open up the second night of the GFL Heavyweight championship tournament.

[Arena lights dim. The GFL logo pulses on the big screens, the heartbeat of a drum syncing with the crowd’s anticipation. Pyro bursts along the rampway as the cameras sweep over the sold-out crowd.]

DG: “Ladies and gentlemen… welcome to the T Mobile Arena! Welcome… to GFL 2: The Heavyweight Grand Prix! Tonight, history continues as sixteen of the toughest heavyweights on the planet collide in the second half of the opening round of the GFL World Heavyweight Championship Tournament! This is the Mecca of combat sports, and tonight, we find out who moves one step closer to eternal glory!”

The crowd roars, with camera cuts to excited fans holding country flags and fighter banners.

DG: “And now, please rise, remove your hats, and join us for the singing of the National Anthem performed tonight by multi-platinum recording artist and Golden Globe nominee… Mandy Moore!”

Spotlight hits the entrance stage as Mandy Moore, elegantly dressed, steps forward with a single microphone. The GFL banner waves subtly behind her as she begins an emotional, powerful rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” The final note echoes through the Garden as the crowd bursts into cheers.

DG: “Thank you, Mandy Moore! And now… let’s meet the warriors who will fight for a chance at immortality!”

Cue highlight package of the night’s fighters slow-motion punches, takedowns, knockouts from GFL 1, intercut with voiceovers from commentators hyping the stakes.

MG: “We are back, folks! The GFL Heavyweight Grand Prix continues right here in New York City and after what we saw in Arlington, these men have a lot to live up to!”

BS: “Absolutely, Mike. If you thought GFL 1 was wild, tonight’s lineup has everything you could ask for; knockout artists, Olympic wrestlers, and submission masters ready to throw down!”

RB: “And the best part? These aren’t one off fights. Every win tonight brings you one step closer to the world title and one brutal step deeper into the toughest tournament in combat sports.”

MG: It is now time for our first fight of the main card and we begin with a clash of two undefeated heavyweight wrestlers as Ant Cassar battles Jarod Trice!

Walkmen
Ant Cassar - Till I Collapse by Eminem
Jarod Trice - “Victory” by Puff Daddy ft. The Notorious B.I.G.
Ant Cassar (2-0) vs. Jarod Trice (5-0)
For this intriguing clash, it wouldn't take long for this contest to turn into a wrestling match as following a few flickering strike attempts it was Trice who looked to initiate. Cassar however managed to defend a takedown attempt and the pair soon were pressed against the fence. As the opening round saw a clinch heavy fight with a few peppering body strikes. It was Cassar who potentially stole the round following a late trip. During the second round however we'd see Trice get a little too aggressive on the feet and this allowed Cassar to take him off balance with a double leg takedown before frustrating and controlling Trice for the rest of the round. The third round would see a frustrated Trice look to make something happen as he threw some big punches and even some short uppercuts from the clinch. This was until Cassar again secured a takedown and this time took the back of Trice to ride out the round.
Result: Ant Cassar (3-0) defeated Jarod Trice (5-1) by unanimous decision (30-27 x2 and 29-28)

MG: Masterful performance by Cassar. He beat Trice at his own game. Jarod could not explode with his offense as he couldn't build a base. Very impressive here.

BS: Cassar is special. He's more than just a wrestler. He is a strategist. Scary thing is he is only just getting started.

RB: This felt like a statement to the rest of the field. Cassar is an elite wrestler who is only getting more comfortable in the cage.

MG: It is now time for our second bout of the main card which will see Ali Isaev taking on Juan Espino.

Walkmen
Ali Isaev - “Kavkaz Pride” by Timati & DJ Smash
Juan Espino - “Guerra” by Residente

Ali Isaev (9-0-1) vs. Juan Espino (10-2)
In a similar style to our first bout the second fight on the main card would very much be a clash of the grapplers. As it didn't take long for the clinch to be initiated by Espino who surprisingly tried for a low single on Isaev. The majority of the first round would be contested up against the cage with a war for underhooks taking place. It would be Isaev who scored first blood with the takedown however on the mat he was quickly reversed by Espino. In the second round we would see Isaev begin to impose his will more so as he scored an early takedown and begin to administer his top control and ground and pound. This would be until Espino secured a guillotine late in the round before the buzzer was called. During the third round we'd see Espino open up more on the feet until Isaev shot in. The remainder of the fight would be spent against the cage as both battled for underhooks and exchanged clinch knees.
Result: Ali Isaev (10-0-1) defeated Juan Espino (10-3) by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28 and 30-27).
MG: Three rounds of relentless grappling and credit to Espino for his performance but Ali Isaev remains unbeaten.

BS: That's how you do it! Ali Isaev just showed everyone here why when it comes to grappling he is hard to stop.

RB: Espino had his moments and held in there but Isaev's positional control is what won him the day.

MG: Our next bout will be a clash of powerful strikes as Robelis Despaigne takes on Matt Mitrione.

Walkmen
Robelis Despaigne - “El Final” by Vico C
Matt Mitrione - “Simple Man” by Lynyrd Skynyrd

Robelis Despaigne (5-2) vs. Matt Mitrione (13-9)
The bell rings and almost immediately Robelis Despaigne marches forward to the center of the ring. Taking the center with his ong, rangy frame Robelis Despaigne waits for Mitrione to strike first as the brawler begins to come forward. A jab by Mitrione is slipped and a counter right to the temple lands. Mitrione stumbles back and Despaigne lands a big right headkick which drops Matt flat onto the canvas.
Result: Robelis Despaigne (6-2) defeated Matt Mitrione (13-10) by 1st round knockout (0:31)
MG: Jesus this guy is scary! That's the fastest finish we have seen so far! Robelis Despaigne made a statement here.

BS: Man... Matt is a friend of mine and this sucked to see. Robelis connections are like a bomb going off and this detonated.

RB: That's what happens when world class striking meets timing.

MG: Up next we have rising prospect Brett Martin looking to pick up his biggest career win as he takes on Todd Duffee.

Walkmen
Brett Martin - “Till I Collapse” by Eminem
Todd Duffee - “Cinderella Man” by Eminem

Brett Martin (11-1) vs. Todd Duffee (9-4)
As this fight got started we would see Todd Duffee very much on the offensive. Winding up with some huge swings as he looked to take Brett Martin out early. Despite Martin managing to defend early on Duffee would eventually connect with a big punch backing Brett up to the fence. As Todd looked to continue his attack Martin would land a well timed outside trip bringing the fight down to the canvas. From here Martin would begin to pass to mount and land some ground and pound until Duffee gave up his back. With Martin on his back, Duffee would be defenseless against a rear naked choke attempt. This would force Duffee to submit.
Result: Brett Martin (12-1) defeated Todd Duffee (9-5) by submission (rear naked choke) in round one (2:06)

MG: Very smart play by Martin to bring this fight to the mat. Once there beautiful work to secure that choke.

RB: This is a grappler who knows exactly what he is doing. Zero wasted motion.

BS: He weathered that storm perfectly. This is what a contender looks like!

MG: Our next bout of the night will be a clash of two powerful veterans as Sergei Kharitonov takes on Antonio Silva.

Walkmen
Sergei Kharitonov - “For Whom the Bell Tolls” by Metallica
Antonio Silva - “Back in Black” by AC/DC

Sergei Kharitonov (36-9) vs. Antonio Silva (19-15)
As the bell rings to start this contest we see both men waste little time in heading to the center. It seemed early on both had their game plans with Sergei keeping it technical with combinations while Silva looked for one big punch. A short left hook by Sergei would rock Bigfoot and make him stumble backwards. Seeking to end things Sergei followed with a one two punch combination which put Silva down on the canvas for an early knockout!
Result: Sergei Kharitonov (37-9) defeated Antonio Silva (19-16) by 1st round knockout (1:01)

MG: What a vicious knockout by Sergei Kharitonov. You could see it from the off he was measuring Silva to land a big blow. This was a destruction.
BS: This was a statement by Kharitonov. He wrote it as much in capital letters.

RB: That's the danger of Sergei. He has that true one punch power where if he touches you it's all over!

MG: As we continue on the tournament. Our next fight will see Jagroop Bhullar take on Blagoy Ivanov.

Walkmen
Blagoy Ivanov - “Enter Sandman” by Metallica
Jagroop Bhullar - Radioactive by Imagine Dragons

Blagoy Ivanov (19-7) vs. Jagroop Bhullar (10-1)
The early goings of round one would see Jagroop Bhullar use his size and range to keep Blagoy from getting in close. Eventually however Ivanov would manage to bridge the gap and very much used the clinch to grind and wear down his opponent. Round two would very much continue the same story with Bhullar landing some key shots at range only to find Ivanov soon clinching and controlling him. The final round would see Bhullar come out swinging looking to knock out his opponent only for Ivanov to secure and takedown and ride out the round from half guard.
Result: Blagoy Ivanov (20-7) defeated Jagroop Bhullar (10-2) by unanimous decision (30-27 x3)

MG: Vintage showing from Ivanov. Not the most exciting fight but just pure grit and control.

BS: A fight like this will be a learning experience for Bhullar. Ivanov is a nightmare opponent in the clinch.

RB: that's a potential champion making performance. Hardly any damage absorbed or marks left.

MG: It is now time for our co-main event of the evening as Ryan Bader takes on Roy Nelson.

Walkmen
Ryan Bader - Paint it Black by the Rolling Stones
Roy Nelson - Born in the USA by Bruce Springsteen

Ryan Bader (31-8) vs. Roy Nelson (23-19)
For the co main event of the night it appeared at first in the early going out of respect for Roy's grappling, Ryan Bader kept this fight standing and opted to kickbox with his opponent. This would be until Nelson clipped Bader with a right hook leading to Bader shooting and landing a double leg takedown. The rest of the ground was very much controlled by Bader who managed to negate Nelson's escape attempts. The second round would very much be a case of control as Bader shot a takedown from well out of range and pressed Nelson against the cage before eventually getting Roy down. From here Bader would again ride out the round, much to the crowd's chagrin this would be the story of round three as well as Bader would control Nelson until the final bell.
Result: Ryan Bader (32-8) defeated Roy Nelson (23-20) by unanimous decision (30-27 x3)

MG: That was a showcase of Arizona state wrestling to control one of the tournament's biggest hitters. A very smart and composed performance by Bader.

RB: Bader chained everything beautifully. He stifled Roy at every attempt.

BS: This was gold. A performance with no damage taken in a tournament like this is key.

MG: Finally it is time for our main event of the evening as two former champions collide when Andrei Arlovski and Rampage Jackson do battle.

Walkmen
Andrei Arlovski - Bodies by Drowning Pool
Rampage Jackson - Momma said knock you out by LL Cool J

Andrei Arlovski (34-24) vs. Rampage Jackson (37-14)
This fight would very much start slowly as both men circled one another. Arlovski would work behind the jab while Rampage walked forward looking for some hooks. Arlovski would keep circling and flick out some jabs and leg kicks to ride out an uneventful first round. The second round would see a more aggressive Rampage continue to walk Arlovski down while Andrei continued to flick out the jab and land leg kicks. Rampage would land his biggest punch on the bell to end round two. The third round would see Arlovski continue to have more success albeit with little in the way of damage being done. To end the round Arlovski would land a clean one two ahead of the scorecards and a decision win.
Result: Andrei Arlovski (35-24) defeated Rampage Jackson (37-15) by unanimous decision (30-27 and 29-28 x3)

MG: That was a chess match on the feet. Very methodical and a lot of discipline shown by the Pitbull.

BS: Rampage was here to throw bombs but Arlovski managed to stick and move.

RB: That was a true professional's win. Arlovski avoided all of Jackson's big shots.

MG: Well fans that will bring an end to the second night of our GFL heavyweight title tournament. The next time we will see you is as part of our light heavyweight tournament bracketology

 

[Shade]

GFL Bracketology
Hosted by Mike Goldberg, Brendan Schaub and Robin Black​

MG: Ladies and Gentleman good evening and welcome to the GFL Bracketology. As always I am Mike Goldberg and I am joined tonight for this event by my broadcast colleagues Brendan Schaub and Robin Black! And we are here to present a very special Bracketology event for you all. Before we get there though, gentleman can I say what a series of events we've had so far with the GFL Heavyweight title tournament.
BS: I couldn't agree more Mike. We saw knockouts, submissions, wars and stunning upsets.

RB: The heavyweight title tournament has more than lived up to expectations and I cannot wait to see what a line up we have for our next tournament.

MG: That is right and we are here tonight to begin to find out just what we have in store for us as 32 talented Light Heavyweights compete for the chance to be crowned the GFL Light Heavyweight Championship. So let's head to our esteemed colleague Alex Wendling for our introductions.
------------------------------ Entrant #1 ------------------------------
AW: Thank you for the introduction Mike. I can't wait to give you all the run down for this collective of talent set to compete as part of the GFL Light Heavyweight championship tournament. For the very first entrant however we have a very special guest here to do the honors. So please welcome a former Bellator Light Heavyweight champion "Mr Wonderful" Phil Davis!

As Phil Davis appears on screen he is greeted with some applause by our team.

MG: Welcome to the GFL Mr. Wonderful! I hope it's not long until we see you competing in the cage here.

PD: Maybe one day! The temptation is there I must admit. But for tonight I'm here to introduce someone who I share a close bond with. A man I once saw as an opponent but who later become a brother. Someone who has truly fought the best in the world and has arguably beaten them.. Alexander "The Mauler" Gustafsson!

MG: What a way to start this night off. The Mauler in the GFL! This is a world championship level competitor who has fought for the title three times. He has beaten former world champions as well such as Shogun Rua. I'm very excited to have Alex here.

BS: Alex honestly is probably one of the greatest fighters to come from Europe and is someone who in my opinion should be a two time world champion. Now he finally has his chance though to be called a champion!

RB: He is the complete package. He can strike, he can grapple and he has knockout power. This is a top contender.
------------------------------ Entrant #2 ------------------------------
AW: For our next introduction we again have a special guest. As to introduce a true legend of the game we thought it was fitting to bring one of the greatest fighters of all time. So please welcome Anderson Silva.
Anderson Silva appears on the screen to a round of applause from our hosts.
MG: My old friend. Welcome to the GFL! I'm surprised not to see you being the man announced here!
AS: It is a honor to be here especially for this particular introduction. As I am introducing a man who truly is an artist when it comes to martial arts. This next man is one of the purest martial artists I have ever known. His discipline, his respect, his precision they are beautiful! He is my brother, my friend… ‘The Dragon’ Lyoto Machida

RB: Wow! Lyoto Machida, the Dragon has entered the GFL Light Heavyweight Championship Tournament! What a lineup we are building here tonight!

MG: Man, Lyoto is one of the most unique fighters to ever step into a cage. He made karate work at the highest level of MMA. That elusive stance, that in-and-out movement it’s like trying to fight smoke.

BS: I fought around the time Machida was champion and trust me, nobody could figure him out! He was years ahead of his time. Shogun vs. Machida, Rashad vs. Machida all classic fights. The dude was like a ghost. He has fought the best in the world and even now can still hang in there with the best!
------------------------------ Entrant #3 ------------------------------
AW: Our next entrant is another top international name a man who has held championships in both Germany and Russia. Known for his durability, versatility, and relentless work rate. Please welcome the former M-1 Global Light Heavyweight Champion Stephan Puetz!

MG: Stephan Puetz. ‘T-800’ himself. This guy is a machine. He’s a grinder, he’s big for the division, and he just wears opponents down. Very German-engineered approach to fighting

RB: Yeah, Puetz isn’t flashy, but he’s efficient. He’s the kind of fighter who breaks you in round three with sheer pace and pressure. He doesn’t need to be a knockout artist when he can drown you in volume and top control.
BS: And the guy’s fought legit talent. You look at his résume he’s shared the cage with former champs, heavy hitters, sambo guys, kickboxers and he’s beaten them. Don’t underestimate him just because he’s not a household name
------------------------------ Entrant #4 ------------------------------
AW: For our fourth participant in the tournament. we have a special guest who needs no introduction but we will give him one anyway. Please welcome "The American Gangster" Chael Sonnen.

Chael appears on the screen from the set of his podcast to applause from the hosts.

MG: Chael! It's great to have you here. Welcome!
CS: Mike! It’s about time the GFL brought in a little class and credibility. And speaking of that allow me to introduce one of the most decorated grapplers to ever set foot inside an MMA cage. A man who has submitted world champions, who has rolled with the best, and who once came this close to shocking the world. My friend, my teammate, and the guy I never wanted to fight on the mat Vinny Magalhaes!

MG: Vinny Magalhaes! Former ADCC champion, one of the most feared submission artists in the world. And he’s coming to GFL that’s a major signing for this tournament!

RB: This guy’s a wizard on the ground. The way he floats from position to position it’s like a different language. He’s not just a grappler, he’s a grappling artist. And if he gets you down, it’s not a question of if he submits you… it’s when.

BS: Exactly. And Vinny’s got that confidence. He’s been in there with everyone. Sure, he’s had ups and downs but when he’s on, he’s a nightmare. You can’t play around in his guard!

------------------------------ Entrant #5 ------------------------------

AW: In a tournament so far filled with champions and legends. That trend will continue with our fifth introduction. For our next introduction, we have a man who has cornered world champions across continents. Please welcome the leader of Kings MMA Rafael Cordeiro!

Standing outside his Kings MMA gym is a smiling Rafael Cordeiro who is met with applause by our hosts.

MG: Welcome to the GFL Mr. Cordeiro. It is a great honor to have you here.

RC: Thank you Mike. When you talk about warriors, true warriors. One name will always come to mind. This man came from Curitiba, Brazil, and he has fought everyone — legends, champions, killers. He is one of the most dangerous strikers ever to come from my country. It is my great honor to introduce my brother… Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua!

MG: Oh man, here we go Shogun Rua! One of the most beloved fighters in MMA history. This man’s résumé is unreal. PRIDE Grand Prix champion, UFC Light Heavyweight Champion and a pioneer of that Chute Boxe aggression

RB: I mean, come on Shogun’s the definition of ‘OG’. He’s fought everyone, he’s beaten everyone, and he’s still one of the most technical brawlers in the world. The fans love him for a reason.
BS: Shogun’s movement is chaos with purpose. He’s got that unpredictable rhythm wild kicks, looping hooks, and the toughness to outlast anyone. When he fights, it’s not about control, it’s about survival and he thrives in it.

------------------------------ Entrant #6 ------------------------------

AW: For our Sixth entrant in this opening group, we’ve got a fighter who has never backed down from a brawl, a man whose toughness has become legendary. Please welcome Brazil’s own Fabio Maldonado!

MG: I think my colleague said it best about Fabio Maldonado! You talk about warriors, this guy has taken on everyone, everywhere. He’s fought world champions, knockout artists, and never once taken a step backward.
RB: Yeah, Maldonado’s one of those guys who was built for tournaments like this. He’s not gonna be intimidated by anyone. You can hit him with a baseball bat, and he’ll still walk you down. He’s pure grit and heart

BS: He’s got that old-school vibe head movement, pressure, dirty boxing, and an absolute refusal to quit. He might not be the flashiest fighter, but mentally? He’s granite. He’ll drag you into a war whether you like it or not.

------------------------------ Entrant #7 ------------------------------

AW: Our next entrant may be new to some MMA fans, but in the world of striking he’s a superstar. From Russia, he’s a former GLORY Light Heavyweight Champion and one of the most technically gifted kickboxers of his generation. Please welcome... Artem Vakhitov!

MG: Now this is a huge surprise. Artem Vakhitov returns to MMA. One of the best pure strikers on the planet today. When you talk about polished technique, this guy is as good as it gets
RB: He’s a master of rhythm and distance. You can see the Muay Thai influence, but it’s refined through years of kickboxing experience. If he’s adapted his takedown defense to MMA, he’s a serious dark horse!
BS: Yeah, and this is the kind of guy you do not want to stand with. The GFL cage is full of wrestlers and brawlers. Vakhitov is going to make them pay if they get sloppy on the feet

------------------------------ Entrant #8 ------------------------------

AW: It is now time for an introduction of our eight participant and we have a very special guest ready for this introduction. One of the most respected veterans in the game who turned his in cage success into success on the big screen. He is the Dean of Mean.. Keith Jardine!

As Keith Jardine appears of the screen, he is greeted with some applause with Brendan Schaub in particular thrilled to see his former teammate.

MG: Welcome to the GFL Keith Jardine. It has been a long time!

KJ: It has Mike and it is great to be here tonight. As it is my pleasure to introduce a close personal friend and former training partner. He is a former world champion and ultimate fighter champion.. Rashad "Suga" Evans!

MG: What an addition to the GFL. One of the most cerebral competitors in the sport who has defeated the likes of Forrest Griffin, Chael Sonnen, Chuck Liddell, Tito Ortiz and Rampage Jackson. Evans is one of the most complete fighters I have ever seen in my years of calling fights.

BS: Man it is great to see Rashad back here. In his prime he really was the total package. He had wrestling and he had freaky speed on the feet. He truly was ahead of his time and if you underestimate him even to this day he can shock you!

RB: What I love about Rashad is his evolution. He started as a grinder — but he became an artist of timing. His right hand was poetry, and his defense was anticipation. He doesn’t just fight he calculates!

GFL LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT TOURNAMENT PARTICIPANTS
1. Alexander "The Mauler" Gustafsson - 18-8
2. Lyoto "The Dragon" Machida - 26-12
3. Stephan "T-1800" Puetz - 22-5
4. Vinny "Pezao" Magalhaes - 19-12
5. Mauricio "Shogun" Rua - 27-14-1
6. Fabio "Caipira de Aço" Maldonado - 28-18
7. Artem Vakhitov - 3-1
8. Rashad "Suga" Evans - 20-8-1

 

[Shade]

Light Heavyweight Bracketology​

MG: Welcome back to the GFL Light Heavyweight championship tournament bracketology. What a line up we have so far!

BS: We really have a collection of champions and top talent. Kickboxing champions, Grappling champions and MMA champions from across the globe. It is an ensemble like no other.

RB: Honestly call me crazy knowing how the Heavyweight tournament turned out. But I would say in 8 announcements so far the excitement for this tournament has very much magnified.

MG: So let's head to our colleague Alex for the next announcement.

----------------------- ENTRANT #9 -----------------------

AW: Our 9th entrant in the GFL Light Heavyweight championship tournament very much continues the trend of world champions. As we have a proud native of Slovakia and a former Bellator Light Heavyweight Champion. Known for his composed, technical counter striking approach Atilla Vegh!

MG: Another world champion caliber fighter. This tournament continues to grow from strength to strength and what an addition we have here. This is a dangerous seed for sure with a wealth of knowledge and experience!

BS: Because of his willingness to wait. A lot of people forget just how hard he hits. Atilla Vegh is more than capable of shutting someone's lights off!

RB: Atilla is hat quiet professional. His timing, his counter game, his ability to find moments inside chaos that's the stuff champions are made of!

----------------------- ENTRANT #10 -----------------------

AW: It is now time for the announcement of the tenth entrant in the GFL Light Heavyweight championship tournament. We have a UFC and PFL veteran with over ten years in the game... Daniel Spohn!

MG: Spohn is a grinder. He’s been in there with elite talent, and every time he competes, you know you’re in for a fight!

BS: That dude is a problem for anyone. He’s got that Ohio toughness through and through, legit knockout power, and can hang in the clinch or on the mat.

RB: He’s got that classic American MMA blend solid boxing, strong wrestling base, and enough veteran IQ to make anyone work for every second.

----------------------- ENTRANT #11 -----------------------

AW: Our next competitor is a true pioneer of the European MMA circuit. A veteran of the sport, and a man whose name is synonymous with Italian combat sports. Alessio "Legionarius" Sakara!

MG: Man, what a pick-up for GFL. Alessio brings that passion, that Italian warrior energy. A striker through and through, fearless, explosive, and one of the toughest men I’ve ever met. He’s going to go for the finish every time.

BS: You know he’s coming forward, you know he’s throwing bombs, and he’s not backing down from anyone. That’s the kind of fighter fans show up for.

RB: There’s an authenticity in Alessio’s style. It’s raw, emotional, and violent. He doesn’t fight safe. He fights to win or be finished!

----------------------- ENTRANT #12 -----------------------

AW: For our next entrant. We have a very special guest who is more than happy to handle the introduction. A former fearsome name in the Welterweight division turned coach of the American Top Team. "The Pitbull" Thiago Alves.

On the big screen we cut to a feed of Thiago Alves inside his office at ATT.

MG: The Pitbull! It's great to see you!

TA: It's great to be here Mike for sure. Especially to introduce this man. When I think of violence, I think of this man. We’ve both walked that road from Brazil to the big leagues, and nobody embodies that warrior spirit more. From Rio de Janeiro... Thiago "Marreta" Santos!

MG: Marreta! what a pick up this is! Thiago Santos is a monster! He has fought and competed against the very best. This guy is a dangerous out for sure.

BS: This is a scary man! One kick or punch from him and you are done. He is that destructive and honestly because of that it's easy to overlook the man's talent as a grappler.

RB: This guy is wild. He is like being trapped in a storm with the chaos he brings. Yet there is purpose with every strike and that is to put you away!

----------------------- ENTRANT #13 -----------------------

AW: For our next pick we have a very special guest here to handle the introduction. Hands down one of the most feared and iconic fighters of all time. Chuck "The Iceman" Liddell!

Chuck Liddell appears by live stream to a rousing reaction from our hosts.

MG: Chuck! My old friend it's great to see you champ!

CL: It is great to be here tonight. Honestly this reminds me of the old days of Pride. Speaking of which the man I have been asked to introduce tonight is one of the most recognizable fighters in the world. A man who gave me one of my own personal toughest fights of my life. He is the Axe Murderer... Wanderlei Silva!

MG: I have goosebumps! One of the most intimidating and violent fighters in MMA history! This man is pure legacy! Wanderlei Silva is in the GFL.

BS: Bro..... This guy’s stare-downs were scarier than most people’s fights. When Wanderlei is in there, you know something bad is about to happen!

RB: Wanderlei is the embodiment of chaos. His rhythm, his volume, his forward pressure. He’s a timeless symbol of aggression

----------------------- ENTRANT #14 -----------------------

AW: Our fourteenth entrant into the GFL tournament is a veteran and a fan favorite known for three things. His willingness to fight anyone at any weight, his knockout power and his smile... "Smilin" Sam Alvey!

MG: Sam brings a wealth of experience to this tournament. This man has fought non stop killers.

RB: He's easy to sleep on but he has fight ending power. Let your guard down and he will drop you.

BS: He’s unpredictable. That southpaw right hook comes from nowhere, and his composure under fire makes him dangerous.

----------------------- ENTRANT #15 -----------------------

AW: For our next selection we have a very special guest here to introduce them. He is a pioneer of the sport and one of the very first crossover sensations. Please welcome "The Worlds Most Dangerous Man" Ken Shamrock!

Ken Shamrock appears on the big screens and is all smiles.

MG: Ken Shamrock.. Welcome to the GFL!

KS: This is such a dose of nostalgia for me. If there is one thing I know well it is fighting tournaments! Another thing I know very well is the man I've been asked to introduce next. He's been my enemy, my rival, my opponent and my equal. But above all of that he is a former world champion who helped shape the sport. "The Huntington Beach Bad Boy" Tito Ortiz!

MG: What a moment! Tito Ortiz is going to enter the GFL cage. One of MMA's most iconic names

RB: Man this guy helped build the early era of MMA. Ground and Pound and wrestling pressure this guy was something.

BS: Control, pressure and intensity that is what Tito brings to the cage. Plus look at this field so far. There are several figures he has a ton of history with! Some exciting potential matches for Tito!

----------------------- ENTRANT #16 -----------------------

AW: We are now at the halfway marker of the tournament with this next entrant. A powerful European standout known for his relentless wrestling, smothering pressure and big ground and pound.. "The Terminator" Karlos Vemola!

MG: This guy is an animal. He's got a nasty wrestling grind and loves to drag you into deep waters!

BS: This is a pure bulldozer. His fights are never pretty but honestly they don't have to be! He wants to break you.

RB: Vemola is a nightmare match up with his style. This is the kind of opponent you do not want in your bracket.

MG: Now with us being sixteen names deep. Let's take a look at the updated tournament field!

GFL LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT TOURNAMENT PARTICIPANTS
1. Alexander "The Mauler" Gustafsson (18-8)
2. Lyoto "The Dragon" Machida (26-12)
3. Stephan "T-1800" Puetz (22-5)
4. Vinny "Pezao" Magalhaes (19-12)
5. Mauricio "Shogun" Rua (27-14-1)
6. Fabio "Caipira de Aço" Maldonado (28-18)
7. Artem Vakhitov (3-1)
8. Rashad "Suga" Evans (20-8-1)
9. Attila "Pumukli" Vegh (33-11-2)
10. Daniel "Dragon" Spohn (19-9-1)
11. Alessio "Legionarius" Sakara (20-13)
12. Thiago "Marreta" Santos (22-13)
13 "The Axe Murderer" Wanderlei Silva (35-14-1)
14. "Smilin" Sam Alvey (34-18-1)
15. "The Huntington Beach Bad Boy" Tito Ortiz (21-12-1)
16. Karlos "The Terminator" Vemola (38-9)