A stunning upset at UFC Vegas 110 has ignited a firestorm of controversy, with whispers of fight fixing now reaching a fever pitch. Cuban fighter Yadier del Valle shocked the world by swiftly submitting Isaac Dulgarian, a previously assumed champion, in the very first round.
The result itself wasn’t the sole source of the uproar. An hour before the fight, a dramatic and highly unusual shift occurred in the betting odds. Dulgarian, initially favored, saw his advantage plummet, raising immediate red flags among gamblers and industry observers.
The changes were stark. Dulgarian’s odds moved from -240 to -160, while a first-round finish prop bet experienced an even more precipitous drop, from +850 to +475. This triggered a surge of late-action bets, estimated to be in the five-figure range, prompting major sportsbooks like DraftKings to pull the prop line entirely.
Now, allegations are escalating with reports suggesting the FBI was actively monitoring the unusual betting patterns. A respected sports news source claims the FBI alerted the UFC to the suspicious activity and urged them to postpone the fight, a request that was allegedly ignored.
The situation has deepened further with revelations that federal regulators have flagged over 100 UFC fights this year for similar abnormal betting patterns, including two additional bouts from the same event. An audit of fights involving a specific referee is also reportedly underway.
In an unprecedented move, major sportsbooks – including Caesars and William Hill – have begun offering full refunds on all bets placed on the Dulgarian fight, acknowledging the irregularities and attempting to restore customer trust.
While no formal investigation has been publicly announced, the Nevada State Athletic Commission and the UFC itself are likely to be involved. The incident arrives amidst growing concerns about the vulnerability of sports events to manipulation, particularly with the increasing popularity of prediction markets.
Adding another layer to the unfolding drama, Isaac Dulgarian has reportedly been released from the UFC roster. The organization stated they are working with an independent betting integrity service, IC360, to conduct a thorough review of the events surrounding the fight.
The UFC emphasized the integrity of the sport and the health and safety of its fighters as paramount concerns. However, the speed of Dulgarian’s release, coupled with the FBI reports and sportsbook refunds, paints a troubling picture and suggests a deeper investigation is inevitable.
