Upstart MMA promotion Global Fight League has announced its list of signed female athletes eligible to compete in their inaugural season ahead of their first-ever GFL draft on January 24.
The list of fighters features 60 names spanning 16 different nations, with a number of notable names, including a host of former champions.
Former Bellator featherweight champion Julia Budd, former World Series of Fighting strawweight champion Jessica Aguilar and former Cage Warriors bantamweight champion Pannie Kianzad head the list, as well as former Invicta FC champions Livinha Souza and Tonya Evinger, plus former HEX flyweight champ Cynthia Calvillo and ex-LFA strawweight champ Natalie Kuziutina.

Joining them is another big name from women’s combat sports, Paige VanZant, who since leaving the UFC has dipped her toes in the waters of Power Slap and Bare Knuckle FC, but has signed to be a part of GFL’s inaugural season.
“We are proud to be the first professional sports organisation where men and women compete on the same teams and share revenue streams equally,” said Darren Owen, GFL Founder and Commissioner.
“The incredible drawing power, athleticism, and competitiveness of the world’s best female fighters will be pivotal to our success.
“This groundbreaking approach represents a new era for MMA, where male and female athletes share equally in the league’s achievements.”
The GFL will launch with a six-team competition, with the teams representing key global markets across four continents.
Global Fight League: Signed female fighters
FEATHERWEIGHT
- Evelyn Martins
- Fernanda Guersone
- Julia Budd
- Julia Dorny
- Lorrany Santos
- Mariza Loch
BANTAMWEIGHT
- Alexa Conners
- Bianca Daimoni
- Brittney Cloudy
- Fernanda Barbosa
- Gisele Moreira
- Juliet Chukwu
- Luz Vazquez
- Pannie Kianzad
- Queila Braga
- Talita Bernardo
- Tamires Vidal
- Thalita Diniz
- Tonya Evinger
- Zurina Turrey
FLYWEIGHT
- Andressa Rocha
- Antonia Silvaneide
- Chiara Penco
- Janaisa Morandin
- Kalindra Faria
- Mara Borella
- Miao Ding
- Paige VanZant
STRAWWEIGHT
- Bi Nguyen
- Brenda Gottig
- Hannah Goldy
- Isabela De Padua
- Isis Verbeek
- Jessica Penne
- Kayla Hracho
- Eva Dourthe
- Livinha Souza
- Maria Luiz De Abreu
- Melissa Amaya
- Natalia Kuziutina
- Pamela Mara
- Randy Field
- Silvania Monteiro
- Viviane Pereira
- Yasmin Castanho
ATOMWEIGHT
- Claire Lopez
- Jessica Aguilar