Former UFC fighter Danny Roberts chose not to acknowledge potential issues suggesting GFL`s launch might be unrealistic.
Roberts, who previously competed in the octagon against notable fighters like current world champion Jack Della Maddalena, was released from the UFC in 2023 after winning a `Fight of the Night` bonus. Following some time off, he agreed to face Neiman Gracie on the planned GFL season premiere.
Roberts was slated to appear on a GFL card featuring major names such as former world champions Anthony Pettis, Benson Henderson, and Holly Holm. However, the event collapsed, which was widely anticipated by many in the fight community. Despite this setback, Roberts has now secured a prominent opportunity, headlining the PFL event in Brussels for his debut with the promotion.
Roberts Believed in GFL Despite Fan Concerns
Former UFC welterweight Danny Roberts was originally scheduled to compete on the inaugural GFL card. When that event was canceled entirely after planned weekend action in Los Angeles fell apart, he was forced to find a different path.
In an exclusive interview, Roberts explained his perspective:
“You put a fighter in a compromised position, there’s a reason why we are fighters,” he explained. “We’re just f—ing wired different.
No one is going to tell me it’s not going to happen until I actually see that it’s not happening – I’m still to train like Danny the dog. I still put myself on the front foot and gave myself the best chance of being able to establish myself if it does happen.
My whole mindset and heart was to put hours and hours of work into that fight just for a little bit of glory. Nobody else will understand that unless they’re a fighter, they’re not the ones beating up their bodies time and time again then going home and staying away from distractions. If I give so much to something, I have to be the one person who has hope that it’s going to prevail and that was my job.”
Roberts Aims to Halt Patrick Habirora`s Undefeated Streak
Following the GFL cancellation, Roberts transitioned to the PFL, securing a significant opportunity in Brussels tonight. He is set to face the undefeated Belgian fighter Patrick Habirora in the main event, marking his PFL debut. While Habirora holds a 6-0 record, he has yet to face an opponent with the high-level UFC experience that Roberts possesses.
Reflecting on perceptions of fighters after losses, Roberts stated:
“A lot of people think you’re only as good as your last performance and they forget,” he noted. “Look at the Kamaru Usman thing that’s just gone, he was on a three-loss thing like me and they all thought ‘you’re done’.
It’s like ‘come on,’ look at the accolades, look at the content of what makes that person an individual and a fighter and who they are… I feel like you’ve got to be delusional to achieve greatness and he clearly has that, but sometimes being delusional can get you hurt and it’s just the wrong time for him.”
Gareth Pendleton