UFC Vegas 110 faces fresh scrutiny after fight-fixing allegations emerged around the main card bout between Isaac Dulgarian and Yadier Del Valle. The controversy might escalate further if recent claims hold true.
Allegations Surface About Flagged Fights
MMA journalist Harry Mac shared multiple allegations on X, formerly Twitter. One claim suggests the FBI informed the UFC that the Dulgarian vs. Del Valle fight was flagged and blocked from betting by sportsbooks. Despite this, the fight proceeded as scheduled. Mac also alleges more than 100 additional fights, including two more from UFC Vegas 110, were flagged by the FBI due to unusual betting activity. He added that fights refereed by Jason Herzog could face a federal audit.
Betting Patterns Raise Concerns
Mac’s claims have not yet been independently verified. However, sportsbooks such as Caesars, William Hill, and DraftKings issued refunds to bettors after noticing unusual line movement for the Dulgarian vs. Del Valle fight. LowKickMMA reported that Dulgarian entered as a -250 favorite, but his odds quickly dropped to -166. Meanwhile, heavy bets were placed on Del Valle via first-round finish prop bets.
Fight Outcome Sparks Criticism
Del Valle dominated the fight, taking Dulgarian down repeatedly and securing a first-round submission. Fans and MMA analysts criticized Dulgarian’s performance. The result intensified speculation about irregularities, given the rapid odds shifts.
Historical Context Adds Weight
The allegations arrive nearly three years after the Darrick Minner vs. Shayilan Nuerdanbieke scandal, which resulted in James Krause’s effective ban from MMA. Dulgarian previously trained with Krause at Glory MMA, linking him indirectly to past controversies. After the Minner fight, the UFC strengthened gambling rules, barring fighters, coaches, managers, and affiliates from betting on any UFC match.
Broader Sports Gambling Scrutiny
This UFC controversy coincides with the wider sports world grappling with gambling issues, including ongoing investigations in the NBA. Analysts warn that the convergence of betting irregularities and historical context could increase pressure on UFC officials and referees. UFC has not released an official statement, and federal authorities have not publicly confirmed any investigations.
