The Global Fighters Association (GFA)

Our Mission

Founded in 2022, the GFA is the definitive professional body for combat sports in the UK. After three years of intensive development, we are launching as a full Trade Union in Q2 2026.

Our goal is simple: to make combat sports safer, fairer, and more financially secure.

By establishing professional standards, we are protecting the people who make the sport possible and ensuring a sustainable future for fighters, promoters, and fans alike.

How We Are Structured

The GFA operates through two distinct but unified branches:

  • The GFA Trade Union (TU): The representative body for everyone who earns their living in combat sports—including fighters, coaches, referees, medics, and managers.
  • The GFA Community Interest Company (CIC): The operational heart of the association. The CIC manages recruitment, funding, education, and international development to support the Union’s mission.

A New Standard for Combat Sports

We provide the essential infrastructure that has historically been missing from the industry. By joining the GFA, members gain access to:

  • Health & Wellbeing: Bespoke healthcare, mental health support, and specialised insurance.
  • Financial Security: Pension schemes, retirement planning, and legal advice.
  • Professional Growth: Education, training programs, and career transition support.

By removing the administrative and financial burdens from individual athletes and promoters, we create a more stable, professional, and attractive environment for elite talent.

Sustainable Funding & Support

The GFA is built on a model of collective success. Our research shows that over 95% of fans support a small, fractional contribution on tickets and subscriptions to fund fighter protections.

Our funding model is designed to be seamless:

  • For Promoters: Using a system similar to the music industry’s PRS, we manage revenue administration at the source, removing any cost or administrative burden from promoters.
  • For the Industry: We work in partnership with broadcasters and promoters (not in opposition) to negotiate fair standards that mirror those found in the Premier League and other elite sports.

Leadership

The GFA is led by a team with unparalleled experience in sport, law, and labor relations:

  • Chairman: Simon Bazalgette (Former CEO, The Jockey Club)
  • CEO: Jason Harborow (Chairman, World Boxing and Welsh Boxing)
  • General Secretary: Paul Maloney (Former Leader, GMB Southern Region)

Supported by a board of world champions, Olympians, and experts in health, law, and finance, we have the expertise to deliver a world-class future for combat sports.