The UFC moved fast after unusual betting activity flagged Isaac Dulgarian’s loss at UFC Vegas 110, and Dana White made clear the promotion won’t let alleged fight-fixing go unanswered.
The trouble began when Dulgarian, who opened as a sizable favourite, saw his odds narrow dramatically in the hours before his fight with Yadier del Valle. Sportsbooks removed some prop markets and later issued refunds after Del Valle scored a first-round rear-naked choke. IC360, the UFC’s betting-integrity partner, alerted the promotion to the “unusual action,” prompting the UFC to call Dulgarian and his attorney before the fight.
White says those pre-fight checks didn’t ease his concerns. He told TMZ Sports that after Dulgarian denied injury, owing money or being approached, the fight still ended quickly and White’s next call was to the FBI. He said he has met with federal agents multiple times and even spoke directly with FBI director Kash Patel. White vowed the UFC will “go after you, guns blazing” if anyone rigs a fight.
The promotion released Dulgarian after the bout, and reports say the Nevada State Athletic Commission has withheld his purse, though the commission had not immediately confirmed that. The UFC says it is cooperating fully with the FBI as the probe continues. (Forbes)
White framed the investigation in stark terms and compared the situation to the 2022 scandal involving Darrick Minner and coach James Krause. That earlier case likewise featured sharp late betting swings, a quick finish and a major investigation, and White warned that investigators would fold previous inquiries into the current probe where relevant.
The fallout has rippled around the sport. Several fighters posted on social media claiming they’d been approached about throwing fights — posts that White called irresponsible if the fighters didn’t report approaches to authorities at the time. He said anyone who’s been contacted about fixing must tell law enforcement immediately, because the FBI will now follow up on such claims. (Yahoo Sports)
For now, UFC officials emphasize they rely on IC360 to monitor wagering and flag anomalies. Dana White stressed that the company reviews betting reports after every event and will not tolerate corruption that undermines competition or fan trust. The investigation could take time, and authorities will determine whether this episode was criminal or a string of unfortunate coincidences.
The case raises larger questions about sport integrity and gambling oversight in MMA. White’s message was unambiguous: the UFC will use every tool it has, including federal authorities, to hunt down anyone who tries to rig a fight, and he warned those responsible they face serious consequences if investigators find criminal conduct.
