UFC president Dana White confirmed that the organization is in discussions with the FBI regarding “unusual” betting activity linked to a fight involving fighter Isaac Dulgarian, who suffered a shocking first-round loss.
White stated that prior to the match, Integrity Compliance 360 (IC360), a sports integrity watchdog organization, reached out to the UFC with concerns about the betting patterns, which indicated a high level of interest in Dulgarian’s opponent, Yadier del Valle, winning in the first round. This unusual betting activity prompted the UFC to contact Dulgarian and his legal team to investigate further, as White described it as ‘some weird action going on.’
Following the surprise first-round finish by rear-naked choke, the UFC quickly informed the FBI about the matter. White emphasized that while there is no conclusive evidence of wrongdoing on Dulgarian’s part, he expressed concern over the suspicious betting activity, stating that it ‘definitely doesn’t look good.’ The situation has drawn significant attention, especially with the FBI’s ongoing investigations into illegal sports betting, which have already included high-profile figures such’t as Miami Heat player Terry Rozier and Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups.
Caesars Sportsbook, one of the major bookmakers, released a statement announcing that customers who placed losing bets on Dulgarian would have their bets refunded. While the investigation is ongoing, the UFC has reiterated that this does not equate to guilt, but the episode highlights the increasing scrutiny on sports integrity and the potential for betting influences on athletic competition.
The controversy surrounding the UFC comes amid the FBI’s broader investigations into illegal sports betting and gambling, which have included allegations against several prominent figures in the sports world. The case of Dulgarian adds to the growing concern over the integrity of sports betting, reinforcing the need for greater oversight and transparency in the industry.