UFC president Dana White has vehemently denied allegations of a fixed fight that has sparked a betting scandal within the organization. The controversy arose from a fight on the prelim card over the weekend, where Isaac Dulgarian was accused of submitting to Yadier Del Valle too easily and early, despite being the heavy favorite.
Dulgarian, also known as “The Midwest Choppa,” entered the octagon as the consensus -250 favorite in the featherweight bout. However, some sportsbooks stopped taking bets on the fight before it started when the odds shifted to -154 in the hour leading up to the match due to suspicious wagering activity. Fans were quick to criticize Dulgarian for tapping out in the first round, especially since he had never been submitted in a professional fight before. Commentators Daniel Cormier and Michael Chiesa even described his performance as “white belt stuff,” referencing a beginner level of jiu-jitsu.
Prior to the fight, Dulgarian had raised eyebrows by suggesting that fighters should receive a percentage of the betting action on their matches. Following his questionable loss, Caesar Sportsbook Support announced that customers with losing bets on the matchup would receive a cash credit. Dulgarian was subsequently released by the UFC on integrity concerns, according to DraftKings.
In response to the allegations, Dana White confirmed that an investigation was underway and that the FBI was involved. He explained that UFC’s betting integrity partner, IC360, had flagged unusual betting activity on the fight, prompting the organization to look into the matter. White revealed that they had contacted Dulgarian and his lawyer to inquire about any potential issues but received assurances that everything was fine. However, the first-round finish by rear-naked choke raised further suspicions, leading White to contact the FBI immediately.
White emphasized the seriousness of fight fixing and expressed his disappointment at the situation. While acknowledging that there is no concrete proof of Dulgarian’s involvement in any wrongdoing, he underscored the gravity of the allegations. The UFC president’s remarks come in the wake of a recent scandal in the NBA involving accusations of players manipulating games for betting purposes.
The unfolding drama within the UFC underscores the importance of maintaining integrity in professional sports and combat competitions. As the investigation continues, the organization is committed to upholding fair play and ensuring that the sport remains free from any form of manipulation.
