Here’s what we know about the WFL (World Fight League) so far…

The names attached to the new promotion are still under wraps, the World Fight League. The goal of the WFL is to break the mold in terms of your typical MMA organization and will be structured more like NHL/NFL/NBA. There will also be an in house fighters association, with 50% of the earnings going to the fighters and the other 50% going to the organization itself.

Fighters, fans, and MMA news outlets have been calling for the fair treatment of fighters in a sport that still relies on a “prize fighter” model (prize is a word used generously here). On one hand, you have A.J Mckee winning a million dollars in Bellator, to Cheyenne Buys calling the UFC out during her own post fight interview, and everything in between. You even have the No. 3 ranked Middleweight in the UFC, Jared Cannonier discussing his financial difficulties post fight.

The development of the World Fight League began in 2020 and it is set to launch in 2023, per Ariel Helwani:

“This new league would also include an athlete association that implements a CBA with 50/50 revenue share, guaranteed contracts, health insurance, career-ending insurance and a pension plan.”

The WFL is definitely an interesting endeavor to say the least and is to be set up like the NFL, with conferences (from North America, South America, Europe/Africa, Asia/Oceana). Each conference will have between 8-24 teams. It will start off in North America and then gradually become the international affair the board wants. 24 fighters per team, with three per weight class:

“The new league is structured as a nonprofit where independent franchise owners will roster a team of athletes signed from free agency or via the league entry draft. Each team will compete in home and away competitions in a traditional league format vying for a playoff spot. The owners and athletes are governed by the leagues bylaws and collective bargaining agreement which is enforced by the commissioner and board of governors.”

Before all this can truly begin, their is to be a fighters union established. There have been attempts at this before but it does often end in a whimper rather than a bang. Leslie Smith is working on Project Spearhead at the moment, but it has not gathered the momentum yet.

The group pushing for this non-profit organization is a motley crew of former NFL players, former MMA world champions, former MMA promoters, actors, matchmakers, and musicians. It will be interesting to see if the WFL is the much needed breath of fresh air a sport that seldom changes outside of the cage.