UFC Bets Under Scrutiny After Irregularities Flagged in Dulgarian Fight

Las Vegas, NV — The UFC is facing scrutiny over unusual betting activity following Isaac Dulgarian‘s loss to Yadier del Valle at Fight Night on Saturday. Dulgarian, a -250 favorite, lost by submission in the first round, prompting multiple sportsbooks to halt betting on the fight.

The betting irregularities were detected just an hour before the fight, as Dulgarian’s odds shifted dramatically to -154. Reports indicate that this sudden movement led to the suspension of bets by sportsbooks citing suspicious wagering behavior.

Dulgarian, 29, had a record of 7-2 before the loss. Commentators Daniel Cormier and Michael Chiesa criticized the match’s quality, calling the fight “white belt stuff” due to its amateurish execution.

The UFC stated they are conducting a full investigation into the incident. In a statement, they emphasized their commitment to maintaining the integrity of their sport, noting that they work with an independent betting integrity service to monitor all wagering activities.

“We take these allegations very seriously, and along with the health and safety of our fighters, nothing is more important than the integrity of our sport,” the UFC statement said.

In light of the controversy, Caesars Sportsbook is offering cash refunds to anyone who placed bets on Dulgarian. Customers with losing bets will receive credits within 24 hours of the bet being placed, as announced via social media.

DraftKings is also investigating the incident, acknowledging potential concerns raised by the betting activity surrounding the fight. They are collaborating with integrity monitors to uncover further details.

This incident comes on the heels of other recent scandals in the sports world. In the past week, the NBA has been embroiled in investigations involving multiple individuals for alleged misconduct related to sports betting.

Notably, the UFC previously dealt with a fight-fixing scandal resulting in a suspension for coach James Krause. Dulgarian has also been linked to Krause, being a fighter who trained under him before moving to a new training camp.