UFC veteran Danny Roberts refused to entertain the notion that the anticipated GFL launch might not happen, even as skepticism grew.
The former competitor in the Octagon, who faced significant opponents like current world champion Jack Della Maddalena, was released by the UFC in 2023 following a `Fight of the Night` performance. After a period of inactivity, he had agreed to fight Neiman Gracie on the scheduled opening night of the GFL season.
Roberts was expected to be part of a lineup featuring former world champions such as Anthony Pettis, Benson Henderson, and Holly Holm. However, the event ultimately collapsed, a turn of events that surprised few within the fighting community. Despite this setback, Roberts quickly found a new opportunity, securing a main event position for his PFL debut in Brussels.
Danny Roberts Remained Confident GFL Would Proceed Despite Fan Concerns
Formerly a UFC welterweight, Danny Roberts was slated to compete on the inaugural GFL card but was forced to pursue a different path when the promotion folded. The GFL had planned a weekend of events in Los Angeles before the entire showcase was called off.
Reflecting on the situation in an exclusive interview ahead of his fight in Brussels (available on the PFL app), Roberts explained, “You put a fighter in a compromised position, there’s a reason why we are fighters. 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 going to train like Danny the dog,” he stated. “I still put myself on the front foot and gave myself the best chance of being able to establish myself if it does happen.”
Roberts emphasized his commitment: “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,” he concluded.
Danny Roberts Aims to Halt Patrick Habirora’s Undefeated Streak
Instead of GFL, Roberts transitioned to the PFL, where he now faces a significant opportunity in Brussels. He is set to headline the event against the undefeated Patrick Habirora. The Belgian fighter holds a 6-0 record but has not yet faced an opponent with the UFC-level experience that Roberts possesses.
Roberts noted that perceptions can be short-sighted. “A lot of people think you’re only as good as your last performance and they forget,” he commented. “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,” Roberts stated regarding his opponent.
