Former UFC featherweight Isaac Dulgarian is now at the center of a growing fight-fixing controversy after the Nevada Athletic Commission issued a temporary suspension following his recent loss at UFC Vegas 110. The commission moved forward with the suspension before its monthly meeting and will vote next Wednesday on whether to extend it. A second agenda item will also determine if Dulgarian’s fight purse will be officially withheld.
The decision comes after a wave of suspicious betting activity surrounded Dulgarian’s matchup with Yadier del Valle. Dulgarian opened as a heavy favorite but his odds suddenly shifted in dramatic fashion only hours before the fight. When the bout finally took place, Dulgarian suffered a rapid first-round rear naked choke defeat, fueling speculation that something unusual may have occurred behind the scenes.
The odd betting swing was so concerning that several major sportsbooks refunded wagers placed on Dulgarian. Shortly after, UFC CEO Dana White revealed that the promotion had directly contacted Dulgarian before the fight to ask if anything suspicious was happening. According to White, Dulgarian denied any wrongdoing and insisted he was prepared to dominate the matchup.
Despite the fighter’s assurances, the UFC escalated the situation immediately once the fight was over. White confirmed that the promotion contacted the FBI and has already met with federal investigators multiple times. The UFC also released Dulgarian from his contract in the aftermath of the bout.
White stopped short of declaring Dulgarian guilty but did not hide his concern, stating that “it definitely doesn’t look good” considering the betting movement and the one-sided nature of the loss. The FBI is continuing its investigation. For now, Dulgarian remains suspended by the Nevada Athletic Commission with the potential of a longer ban and loss of his fight purse depending on next week’s vote.
This marks the latest in a series of betting scandals the UFC has faced in recent years as regulators and promotions attempt to tighten oversight on gambling related to combat sports. Dulgarian’s case is now one of the most high-profile examples and could set a precedent depending on the findings of the ongoing investigation.
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