Following an unusual betting activity that preceded a surprising first-round finish at UFC Vegas 110, the UFC has confirmed that they are working with the FBI.
Isaac Dulgarian, who was initially a big favorite, was submitted by Yadier del Valle. UFC officials were contacted immediately, and federal investigators were quickly notified after IC360, the promotion’s betting-integrity partner, flagged the wagers.
Strange market moves, refunds and withheld purses
Bookmakers noticed significant and unexpected changes in the betting lines during the hours before the Dulgarian-del Valle matchup, and some sportsbooks discontinued prop markets like first-round finishes. After Dulgarian lost quickly, major operators like William Hill and Caesars gave refunds to customers who placed bets on the bout.
The Nevada State Athletic Commission reportedly withheld Dulgarian’s purse pending review, and the fighter was released from his UFC contract in the days after the bout, according to multiple outlets. The scrutiny has been intensified and federal involvement has been triggered by these actions.
Dana White: “We called the FBI”
According to UFC CEO Dana White, the promotion took action immediately after IC360’s alert. According to White, UFC officials reached out to Dulgarian and his attorney before the bout to inquire about whether he was injured, in debt, or otherwise.
Dulgarian denied any illegal activity at the time. After the first round, White mentioned calling the FBI and has now met with agents, including FBI director Kash Patel. White warned that anyone involved in resolving fights would face the full force of law enforcement.
White rejected claims made on social media that hundreds of UFC fights are currently being investigated, calling them clickbait and claiming that IC360 monitors every bout, with no evidence of mass, ongoing corruption beyond the incidents currently under investigation.
Parallels to the 2022 Minner–Krause scandal
Memories of the 2022 Darrick Minner controversy, when betting anomalies and an abrupt finish resulted in Minner’s release and sanctions against coach James Krause, have been brought back by the Dulgarian affair. White stated that the UFC has partnered with betting monitors to prevent repeat episodes like that one.
What’s next
The matter is still being actively investigated at this point. The fact that UFC is cooperating with federal authorities immediately, sportsbooks are refunded wagers, and the Nevada commission withheld Dulgarian’s purse indicate that regulators and law enforcement are taking the allegations seriously.
In order to determine if corruption, insider knowledge, or an unfortunate coincidence caused this, investigators will examine betting records, communications, and any potential links to previous suspicious activity.
The incident is a reminder to fans and fighters of the delicate balance between sports and betting markets. If it is proven that someone did wrong, there will be severe consequences, such as criminal charges, regulatory penalties, and reputational damage for those involved. Even if no crime is found, the episode still highlights the reason why leagues, commissions, and sportsbooks have increased monitoring systems to safeguard competitive integrity.
