Anthony Pettis, Kevin Lee explain details of new GFL deals: 'I couldn't say no to this kind of contract'
MMA's newest organization Global Fight League (GFL) is officially set to debut in 2025.
Fifty of the first 300 expected fighters in the GFL draft were revealed Wednesday on Uncrowned's "The Ariel Helwani Show." The list features eight former UFC champions and several notable names, including former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis and one-time interim title challenger Kevin Lee.
GFL intends to break the typical MMA mold with its team-based season format. That renewed innovation, along with a unique 50/50 split regarding revenue share, was more than enough to entice both UFC veterans.
"Everything is black and white, that's how that goes," Lee said of what sold him about GFL. "When you look at contracts and you compare it to the contracts in other organizations, it's just more clear cut. So I do think this can change how contracts are made in the future. Because at the end of the day, that's what it's about. It's going to be a thing."
Lee was scheduled to make his bare-knuckle MMA debut in Jorge Masvidal's Gamebred Bareknuckle promotion in November, however his matchup against Saul Almeida was canceled. Before that, Lee lined up a grappling match against fellow UFC veteran Chad Mendes in August at ADXC 5 but withdrew on short notice.
"The Mo-Town Phenom" has been perfect outside of his two UFC stints. After his first departure in 2021, Lee went to Eagle FC for a one-and-done 165-pound matchup against Diego Sanchez. Lee won the fight via a unanimous decision, then returned briefly to the UFC and suffered a 55-second guillotine choke defeat to Rinat Fakhretdinov. Lee rebounded in September with a win over Thiago Oliveira at Lights Out Championship 17.
GFL's official launch is currently slated for April and many of the names from the introductory 50-fighter list are former UFC or Bellator veterans.
"For me, as an athlete, the biggest thing is the fights, right?" Lee said. "Fighting is something that I'm still seriously in love with. It's the only thing that can push me to the next level as a human being. It's made me a better person, it's made me a better man, a better fighter, a better husband, a better father, all of that stuff.
"These are going to be serious fights. You got guys like Anthony Pettis, you got Tyron Woodley, you got Gegard Mousasi, who's on the roster. I mean, any fight that Gegard is in, I'm watching that, and I know that it's going to be a serious fight. So as long as the fights and everything there is there, it's going to be a big thing."
Pettis said GFL's proposed team format should provide fighters with more flexibility than a comparative format like in PFL, which also has a point system to advance through its season. In regards to MMA, he's only fought for PFL since departing the UFC in 2020, and he's been open about how the format didn't suit him at this juncture in his career. Pettis, 37, ultimately went 1-4 within the promotion.
The former UFC lightweight champion has also found success in boxing and karate kickboxing in his post-UFC life, winning matches against Roy Jones Jr. and fellow GFL signee Benson Henderson. Despite having an MMA-exclusive contract with GFL, Pettis said he won't be locked down to the point where he can't continue exploring the various other combat sports avenues he's been testing out.
"It's an option, and that's why it's dope," Pettis said. "They have to guarantee us a certain amount of fights with my contract. I'm sure with every fighter's contract it's different, but there's a certain amount of fights I have to have. That's an option — if I want to do them, if I don't want to do them. I get to decide if I want to fight this fight [or] sit out [and] let my teammate fight if I'm injured. So it's not like the PFL where you have to fight, and if you're injured, you're out. There's ways where you can be a part of this team and be part of the tournament as long as you're with your squad.
"I was promised they're going to guarantee me fights. My contract, I still can box, I can do Karate Combat. So I'm in a really good position where I couldn't say no to this kind of contract."
Lee also noted that he'll be able to box and do other combat ventures as he pleases. According to both men, they've already had checks clear their into bank accounts, providing them faith in this new future.
"Obviously, the opportunity for these fighters to have a lot of organizations to go to is huge for where I'm at in my career," Lee said. "To see these younger fighters have opportunities to go other places besides just one place, we haven't seen anything like this."
