Global Fighters' Association Launch Campaign

Aim

Support The Global Fighters’ Association Caplan Inquiry the biggest ever health and safety inquiry in combat sport taking next 4 months

Global Fighters' Association | Launch Campaign

Combat sports is one of the last unregulated workplaces on earth. We think it's time that changed. 

Here's your chance to become become a Founder Member of the Global Fighters' Association (GFA). 

The GFA CIC (Community Interest Company) will be the world's first trade union for combat sports. We're raising funds to launch five landmark roundtables that will highlight the key areas for reform, plus launching our Fighter Support Fund that will help the people who need it most.

Our Goal

Core target

£250,000

Funds five roundtable events and gets the GFA fully operational

Stretch target

£500,000

Every pound above £250k goes directly into the Fighter Support Fund

The problem

Fighters have no protection. That ends now.

Every working person in the UK has a trade union they can turn to...except fighters. 

Boxers, MMA competitors, kickboxers and martial artists regularly sign contracts they don't understand, compete injured, and retire with nothing. There is no collective voice, no safety net, and nowhere to turn when things go wrong.

The GFA launches with a focus on boxing (amateur, white collar and professional); building a proven framework before expanding across all combat sports disciplines.

0

Trade unions representing combat sports fighters worldwide...until now

~16%

Revenue share fighters receive, vs 50%+ in major team sports

60–70%

Of retired professional athletes face serious financial difficulty within 5 years

No law

No universal medical standard for ringside provision across combat sports globally

What your money funds

Five roundtables. Five injustices. One permanent change.

Your support funds five select committee-style roundtable events, bringing together fighters, promoters, judges, referees, doctors, politicians and legal experts to tackle the five biggest issues in combat sports today. Each roundtable produces a published report and a concrete GFA policy output.

01

Fair pay & contracts

Fighters sign contracts they don't understand and receive a fraction of the revenue they generate. This roundtable will produce a Model Fighter Contract; a baseline standard the GFA will champion across the sport.

Output: Model Fighter Contract 

02

Health & safety

No universal medical standards exist across combat sports globally. Fighters compete injured, ringside provision varies wildly, and long-term health consequences go unaddressed. This roundtable will produce a GFA Health & Safety Charter.

Output: GFA Health & Safety Charter 

03

Equality & parity

Female fighters earn a fraction of male counterparts for equivalent risk. Fighters from emerging markets face systemic disadvantage. This roundtable will produce a GFA Equality Pledge, a public commitment organisations can sign up to.

Output: GFA Equality Pledge 

04

Education & inclusion

Fighters receive almost no financial education, career planning support or retirement assistance. Leaving the sport is a cliff edge, not a managed transition. This roundtable will produce a GFA Fighter Lifecycle Programme.

Output: Fighter Lifecycle Programme 

05

Regulatory reform

Combat sports is governed by a fragmented patchwork of national bodies with no international coordination, creating massive inconsistency in fighter protection. This roundtable will produce a White Paper submitted to the DCMS Select Committee.

Output: Regulatory Reform White Paper 

Where the money goes

Every contribution to this Crowdfund will help fully launch  the Global Fighters Association CIC and the GFA Academy and fund the completion of the Caplan Inquiry into Health and Safety in Combat Sport.   The support also goes to the certification of the  GFA as a trade union to run alongside the CIC.  The trade union will build its campaign for equality and parity among athletes , providing new resources including pensions, legal and financial support and mental health support via Sport Cares.  The CIC will work on supporting the union, developing the Academy and growing the GFA internationally. 

In summary, donations will pay for:

    1.    The Caplan Inquiry: Supporting the ongoing inquiry and the GFA's wider efforts to facilitate the investigation of the areas of reform the GFA. believes are required to improve the landscape of combat sport for all participants.  

    2.    GFA Academy & Headquarters: Developing the GFA's permanent headquarters and training academy, creating a home for education, professional development, retirement planning  and fighter support.

   3.    Establishing the GFA Trade Union and growing the CIC: Covering the legal, regulatory and administrative costs involved in formally establishing the GFA as a recognised trade union in the United Kingdom while recruiting experienced trade union personnel to develop the organisation. 

   4. Launch & Operations: Supporting the official GFA launch, communications, professional partnerships and the essential operational costs of establishing the CIC as the not for profit organisation driving change across the entire landscape of combat sport.

    5.    The 5 key Roundtable Events: Delivering the Caplan Inquiries bringing together fighters, industry representatives and stakeholders and media voices to tackle the most pressing issues in combat sports.

    6.    The Fighter Support Fund: As our fundraising progresses beyond the costs of establishing these core initiatives, we intend to direct additional funds towards a dedicated, ring-fenced Fighter Support Fund. This fund will be designed to provide direct assistance to fighters facing financial hardship, injury, legal disputes or the challenges of transitioning into retirement.

All funds raised will be managed through the GFA's Community Interest Company (CIC), with a commitment to financial transparency and accountability. We will keep our supporters informed of how contributions are being spent and the progress being made and all contributors will have access to GFA. accounts at all times. .

The GFA is being built for everyone who participates in combat sport whether as a gym goer, fighter or a worker in the industry.  

Every contribution will help grow the GFA brand, creating an organisation dedicated to protecting their interests, supporting careers and giving a stronger voice to all those involved in the sport.

Your status as a founding sponsor will be part of the GFA story long after the campaign closes. The afternoon training session is arranged directly and scheduled within 12 months of the campaign closing.

In their words

Why our founders built the GFA

"The GFA will be on the side of fighters from the very start of their journey in combat sports to the day they hang up their gloves. We're building a world class team who will unite their knowledge and experience to help improve the lives of fighters everywhere."

Amir Khan
Two-weight world champion | GFA co-founder

"I'm one of four brothers who have all competed in boxing at every level of the sport. Throughout our careers, we experienced first-hand practices which are the norm in combat sports — but ones that wouldn't be allowed in any other profession."

Paul Smith
Former world title contender & British Champion | GFA co-founder

The founding team

Built by people who've been in the ring...and at the table

Questions 

What you need to know

What happens if you don't reach £250,000?

The GFA is committed to launching regardless. Any funds raised below the core target will be prioritised toward the membership platform and the first roundtable event, with operations scaled accordingly.

Who controls the Fighter Support Fund?

The Fighter Support Fund is ringfenced and governed independently by the GFA board. Fighters can apply directly for grants to cover hardship, legal disputes, medical costs or retirement transition support.

When will I receive my membership?

All founding members will receive their membership within 30 days of the campaign closing. Your founding member status is locked in from the moment you pledge.

What happens when my founding membership year ends? 

Founding members will be offered a loyalty renewal rate, a discount on your membership as a thank you for backing us from the start. Your founding member status and recognition are permanent regardless of whether you renew. We'll contact you directly before your year expires with your renewal options.

Can anyone join the GFA?

Yes. The GFA is open to anyone participating in or interested in combat sports; regardless of ability, gender, age, race or location. The GFA represents fighters at every level, in every discipline, globally.

Is the GFA an official trade union?

The GFA is working with the TUC and the PFA on the final stages of achieving official union status, with full registration expected following this launch campaign.

Combat sports needs a union. Be the first to make it happen.

Join thousands of fighters, fans, clubs and businesses who are founding the GFA and changing combat sports for good.

Choose your reward and back us 

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 19th January 2027 at 9:15am