UFC CEO Dana White has confirmed that the promotion contacted the FBI immediately after last Saturday’s UFC Vegas 110 fight between Isaac Dulgarian and Yadier Del Valle. What appeared to be a routine featherweight matchup turned into a potential betting scandal after unusual wagering activity was detected just hours before the bout.
According to White, the UFC’s betting integrity partner, IC360, alerted the organization around 1 p.m. on fight day after spotting suspicious betting trends. Heavy wagers poured in on Dulgarian not only to lose but to be finished in the first round by submission exactly how the fight ended.
They told us there was some unusual action going on, White told TMZ Sports. We called the fighter and his lawyer and asked if anything was wrong, if he owed anyone money or if someone had approached him. He said absolutely not.
Dulgarian, a -250 favorite, went on to lose by rear-naked choke in the opening round, prompting UFC executives to immediately contact federal authorities.
FBI steps in after first-round submission
Dana White revealed that he personally called the FBI right after the fight concluded and later met with agents twice to discuss the matter. He also confirmed communication with FBI Director Kash Patel, emphasizing that the promotion is taking the incident seriously.
The first thing we did after the fight ended was call the FBI, White said. If anyone tries to fix a fight, we’ll come after you with the FBI and anyone else we need. We’ll do everything we can to make sure you go to prison.
The UFC has since released Dulgarian from his contract, while the Nevada State Athletic Commission is reportedly withholding his fight purse pending investigation.
IC360 and sportsbooks raise red flags
IC360 co-founder Scott Sadin told TMZ that his company noticed significant betting shifts in the hours before the fight, enough to alert both regulators and the UFC.
Online sportsbooks including Caesars Sportsbook and William Hill later refunded bets placed on Dulgarian to win, citing integrity concerns. The UFC issued a statement confirming that IC360 is “conducting a thorough review of the facts surrounding the Dulgarian vs. Del Valle bout.”
Some insiders have described Dulgarian’s performance as “unusually flat” for a fighter who had entered as a heavy favorite. Still, there is no definitive proof yet that Dulgarian intentionally threw the fight.
A shadow of past scandals
This latest controversy is not the first time the UFC has faced accusations of fight manipulation. In 2022, featherweight Darrick Minner and coach James Krause were implicated in another betting-related incident after Minner suffered a first-round loss to Shayilan Nuerdanbieke. Krause was later banned from having any involvement with active UFC fighters.
White confirmed that the earlier 2022 case remains under federal investigation and will now be reviewed alongside the current probe into Dulgarian.
That investigation is still ongoing and now will be part of this one too, White explained. To get to this level and do something like fight fixing is insane. I’m not saying this kid is guilty, but it doesn’t look good.
Social media reaction and growing scrutiny
The situation has sparked widespread conversation across social media, with several UFC fighters hinting they’ve been approached in the past about potential fight-fixing deals.
Dana White expressed frustration that some of these claims surfaced online instead of being reported directly to the UFC or law enforcement.
You’re seeing fighters online saying they were approached, White said. Why didn’t they tell us or the FBI? It’s like someone telling you they want to rob a bank—you report that immediately.
What’s next for the UFC
As the FBI and IC360 continue their investigation, the UFC is once again under scrutiny regarding its ability to protect the sport’s integrity in the face of expanding legal betting markets.
Dana White insists that the organization has improved its monitoring systems and will take “zero-tolerance” measures against anyone found guilty of corruption.
If you try to do this, we’ll be your worst enemy, White said. We’ll come for you with everything we’ve got.
For now, Isaac Dulgarian’s UFC career is over, and the investigation remains open. But the case has already sent a clear message across the MMA world: fight fixing will not be tolerated, and the consequences could be criminal.
