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A weekend fight that looked routine at first glance has turned into a federal matter. UFC CEO Dana White confirmed that the FBI is now involved in reviewing a featherweight bout between Isaac Dulgarian and Yadier del Valle, after monitoring service IC360 raised concerns about strange betting patterns.
Good to Know
According to White, IC360 contacted the UFC hours before the event to report “unusual action” on the fight. Dulgarian had opened as a heavy favorite at about -250, but wagers began piling in on del Valle. By late afternoon, some sportsbooks had slashed the odds to -130 and even removed the matchup from betting boards altogether.
Literally, the first thing we did was call the FBI.
White recalled what happened next:
“(IC360) reached out and told us there was some unusual action going on with that fight and did we know anything. We didn’t. We called the fighter and his lawyer and said, ‘What’s going on? Are you injured? Do you owe anybody money? Has anybody approached you?’ The kid said, ‘Absolutely not. I’m going to kill this guy.’”
Just minutes after the first-round bell, del Valle forced Dulgarian to tap out via rear-naked choke. White said he immediately walked offstage and called the FBI.
He said:
“The fight plays out, first-round finish. Literally, the first thing we did was call the FBI.”
White later confirmed that he personally spoke with FBI director Kash Patel, and that a team of agents arrived at UFC headquarters in Las Vegas to gather information. Dulgarian was released from the organization shortly after the fight.
White described his reaction bluntly:
“Fight fixing is absolutely insane. I’m not saying this kid is guilty. There’s no proof that he’s done this yet, but I can tell you this, it doesn’t look good. It definitely doesn’t look good.”
The incident comes at a sensitive time for the UFC, which has made integrity and transparency central themes as legal sports betting expands across the United States.
After the fight, both Caesars Sportsbook and William Hill refunded losing wagers because of the suspicious activity surrounding the event. Reports suggest that a surge in bets on a first-round finish amplified the integrity concerns that prompted federal attention.
While such refunds are uncommon, analysts said it reflected how seriously sportsbooks and regulators are now treating red-flagged contests.
The situation follows earlier problems in mixed martial arts betting oversight. A 2023 investigation led to the suspension of former fighter and coach James Krause, after irregular betting patterns emerged during a fight involving Darrick Minner. That case also centered on an injured fighter whose condition was not disclosed before the bout.
White confirmed that the FBI has folded the Dulgarian fight into its ongoing betting-related probe. He said any fighter caught participating in manipulation should expect criminal prosecution.
He said:
“We will do everything we can to make sure you go to prison.”
During his TMZ interview, White also pushed back on claims that hundreds of UFC bouts are under investigation. He said IC360 provides monitoring reports after every event, covering every fight on the card.
“We take this very serious,” he said. “We’re watching every fight that happens in the UFC, from the first prelim to the main event. (IC360) monitor all of the betting. They’re the best in the business. There aren’t hundreds of fights being investigated.”
White’s comments came as several fighters claimed they had been approached to throw fights. Vince Morales said he was offered $70,000 to lose on purpose, while Vanessa Demopoulos revealed that she had turned down similar proposals.
White responded sharply:
“Why didn’t you tell us that? Or more importantly, why didn’t you tell law enforcement you were approached? It’s really weird fighters are coming out now and saying they were approached. You’re going to be approached now by the FBI.”
Integrity monitoring service IC360 alerted the UFC to one-sided betting before the fight began.
Dana White contacted the FBI, which then sent agents to meet with UFC officials in Las Vegas.
Caesars Sportsbook and William Hill refunded losing bets due to integrity concerns.
Yes. The FBI is already investigating a separate case involving former coach James Krause and fighter Darrick Minner.