Rashad Evans rubbishes inclusion in GFL draft, gets removed: “I was added to this without my consent!”
Rashad Evans refuses to go in the 2025 GFL Draft but still wants to fight Quinton "Rampage" Jackson in "Evans vs. Jackson 2" Florida match.
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Rashad Evans trashes inclusion in 2025 GFL Draft (Source: IMAGO/X)
The Global Fight League (GFL) held its big draft event on Friday night (24 January 2025). 120 fighters came from a pool of 500 fighters to compete on various city-based templates. Soon, prominent names came under various picks. However, Rashad Evans says he didn’t know about his addition amid talks of a fight with Quinton “Rampage” Jackson.
The likes of Kevin Lee, Anthony Pettis, and Paige VanZant have all confirmed and said they’ve bagged big checks. Even recent UFC vet Tony Ferguson going into the 2025 GFL Draft went viral. But some have said they were shocked to see themselves listed as ‘draft-eligible’ GFL fighters. Surely, the fledgling org would not just handpick big names to sell the cause. That is exactly what happened, says Evans, on an inquiry by Quinton “Rampage” Jackson.
I’m NOT!! Let me be clear! The only commitment I have is to lay yo a** out in April!! I was added to this without my consent!!😡 You ain’t off the hook that easy! 😏
Rashad Evans via X (@SugaRashadEvans)
BJJ and Gaidojutsu fame, and former UFC 205 lber Rashad Evans was a big thing during his time. Evans was one of two 205-pounders to make the Los Angeles roster. Big names Wanderlei Silva and coach Rafael Cordeiro will manage the LA GFL team. It’s something of a surprise to Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, prone to ‘starting sh—t,‘ to find him in the 2025 GFL Draft. He has been working on a boxing match with Evans for 2025.
I’m NOT!! Let me be clear! The only commitment I have is to lay yo ass out in April!! I was added to this without my consent!!😡 You ain’t off the hook that easy! 😏
— Rashad Evans (@SugaRashadEvans) January 25, 2025
This wasn’t the only hiccup; the results of the ‘live’ draft were accidentally flashed up on the screen during the video stream. Its AI intro and theme song certainly got MMA fans talking. But a lot of fighters will make bank if GFL can pull this off smoothly; Evans, though, doesn’t want in given he has a planned boxing matchup. Since his tweet, Evans is off the Los Angeles GFL roster.
GFL draft results: Former UFC champs remain surprise entry
“Rampage” and Rashad Evans aside, the 2025 GFL Draft did not have that many more weak links in the clink. Founder Darren Owen, Karate Combat’s Robin Black, TNT Sports journo Caroline Pearce, CJI roving reporter Alex Wendling, former UFC play-by-play Mike Goldberg, and Brendan Schaub mediated the matter. Many hot and happening topics like Ferguson queued in with virtual interviews.
Some picks were out at the start of the draft broadcast. But the shows went on smoothly. After Round 5 ended, the GFL decided to release the official rosters for all six teams (although New York was late). Former UFC champion Tyron Woodley was the #1 overall draft pick and pitched in, much like the others.
Ex-middleweight champion Chris Weidman recently announced his retirement at the weigh-in show for UFC 311 at the host hotel. Weidman (16-8 MMA, 12-8 UFC) got into the sport in 2009 and is infamous for his scrap with Anderson Silva. He is a surprise pick for GFL. As is Pick 23 (Los Angeles), Urijah Faber, who’s also out similarly.
Names like Anthony Pettis, Yoel Romero (who recently debuted in the Dirty Boxing Championship), Shogun Rua, Luke Rockhold, Frank Mir, and Andrei Arlovski are also in the draft. After their dissolution, a lot of Bellator fighters have also made it up the ranks.
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