UFC Initiates Investigation into Isaac Dulgarian Bout Amid Suspicious Betting Activity at UFC Vegas 110

The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has launched a formal investigation into a recent featherweight bout involving Isaac Dulgarian at UFC Vegas 110, following a dramatic and suspicious shift in betting odds just prior to the fight on Saturday, November 1. Dulgarian, who entered the octagon as a significant favorite, ultimately suffered a first-round submission loss to Yadier Del Valle, a result that has now drawn scrutiny from the promotion and independent integrity services. The controversy escalated quickly, with reports emerging that Dulgarian was released from the UFC roster just a day after his defeat.

The integrity of sports betting, particularly within mixed martial arts, has become a growing concern for regulatory bodies and promotions alike. In the case of the Dulgarian vs. Del Valle fight, major sportsbooks initially listed Dulgarian as a heavy favorite. Isaac "The Midwest Chopper" Dulgarian, with a professional record of 6 wins and 0 losses prior to this bout, had established himself as a promising prospect known for his aggressive wrestling and finishing ability. His opponent, Yadier Del Valle, held a professional record of 5 wins and 3 losses, making Dulgarian’s initial favored status understandable to seasoned bettors. However, as the event progressed and the fighters prepared to enter the cage, the betting lines experienced an unusual and substantial movement. While Dulgarian maintained his status as a favorite, his odds significantly decreased, indicating a sudden influx of money on Del Valle or against Dulgarian. Furthermore, several sportsbooks reportedly removed specific prop bets associated with the fight, such as wagers on a first-round finish, an action typically taken when suspicious activity is detected.

In response to the escalating concerns, the UFC released an official statement confirming an ongoing investigation. "Like many professional sports organizations, UFC works with an independent betting integrity service to monitor wagering activity on our events," UFC officials stated. "Our betting integrity partner, IC360, monitors wagering on every UFC event and is conducting a thorough review of the facts surrounding the Dulgarian vs. del Valle bout on Saturday, November 1. We take these allegations very seriously, and along with the health and safety of our fighters, nothing is more important than the integrity of our sport."

IC360, an organization specializing in combating fraud and ensuring the integrity of sporting contests, employs sophisticated data analytics to detect anomalous betting patterns. Their investigation will likely focus on the volume, timing, and geographic origin of bets placed, particularly those made during the period of dramatic odds shifts. Such analysis aims to identify any potential coordinated efforts or insider information that might have influenced the wagering landscape. The UFC’s swift acknowledgment of the situation underscores the seriousness with which the promotion views threats to the fairness of its competitions, particularly in an era of expanding legalized sports betting.

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Adding another layer to the unfolding situation, major sportsbooks William Hill and Caesar’s Sportsbooks took the unprecedented step of offering refunds to customers who placed losing wagers on the Dulgarian vs. Del Valle fight. Both companies issued identical statements, indicating a coordinated response to the perceived irregularities. "Mobile customers with losing bets on the Dulgarian UFC fight will receive a cash credit within 24 hours (singles), or within 24 hours of the last leg being determined (Parlay/SGP/Super Parlay) should that bet have won without that leg included," the statements read. This action by prominent betting operators signals a high degree of concern regarding the integrity of the contest, as refunds are typically reserved for extreme circumstances such as canceled fights or clear instances of error. For single bets, the process is straightforward, but for parlay bets (where multiple outcomes are combined into one wager), the statement indicates that if the parlay would have won without the Dulgarian leg, the customer would still receive a payout, effectively removing the disputed fight from the equation.

This is not the first instance of the UFC grappling with allegations of betting irregularities, highlighting a persistent challenge for the promotion as sports betting becomes more integrated into mainstream sports consumption. A significant precedent was set in late 2022, involving a fight between Darrick Minner and Shayilan Nuerdanbieke. Similar to the Dulgarian situation, the betting lines for the Minner-Nuerdanbieke featherweight bout experienced a dramatic shift just hours before the event. Minner, who was battling an undisclosed injury, lost to Nuerdanbieke via first-round technical knockout. The suspicious wagering activity prompted several sportsbooks to temporarily halt all wagers on UFC fights, sending shockwaves through the sports betting industry.

The UFC and the Nevada Athletic Commission (NAC) responded decisively to the 2022 incident. The UFC ultimately released Darrick Minner from his contract. More significantly, Minner’s long-time coach, James Krause, a former UFC fighter himself, received an indefinite suspension from the NAC, which effectively amounted to a lifetime ban from participating in or coaching professional combat sports in Nevada. The UFC subsequently announced a stringent policy, informing all fighters that anyone associated with Krause, including those who trained under him, would no longer be permitted to compete in the promotion, a move aimed at isolating individuals deemed to have compromised the sport’s integrity.

Further ramifications of the 2022 scandal extended to another UFC fighter, Jeff Molina. Molina, a teammate of Minner and also coached by Krause, was removed from the UFC roster and later received a three-year suspension from the Nevada Athletic Commission in March 2025. The commission’s investigation found that Molina had placed "significant bets" on Minner’s fight against Nuerdanbieke. Critically, the NAC admonished Molina for failing "to inform the commission of Minner’s serious injury" prior to the bout. This element was central to the commission’s ruling, as withholding information about a fighter’s compromised physical state directly impacts the integrity of the contest and the fairness of betting markets. The NAC emphasized that fighters have a responsibility to disclose such critical information to regulatory bodies to ensure a level playing field.

The parallels between the 2022 scandal and the current situation involving Isaac Dulgarian are striking. Both incidents feature dramatic odds shifts, a quick first-round finish for the initially favored fighter, and immediate action from both sportsbooks and the UFC. The swift reported release of Dulgarian, if confirmed, indicates the UFC’s continued commitment to a zero-tolerance policy regarding betting impropriety.

As the investigation by IC360 progresses, the focus will be on uncovering the underlying causes of the suspicious betting patterns. Potential outcomes could range from further disciplinary action against Dulgarian if any wrongdoing is substantiated, to policy adjustments within the UFC to further safeguard against such occurrences. The ongoing scrutiny underscores the delicate balance between the growing popularity of sports betting and the imperative to maintain the unwavering integrity of professional sports, particularly in a high-stakes, individual combat sport like mixed martial arts. The UFC, having weathered similar storms, appears determined to send a clear message that any attempts to compromise the fairness of its events will be met with severe consequences.