TLDR
- Isaac Dulgarian’s odds shifted dramatically before UFC Vegas 110, with some sportsbooks removing prop bets entirely before his first-round submission loss
- Dana White personally called the FBI immediately after the fight ended, and the UFC has met with FBI agents twice since the incident
- Dulgarian was cut from the UFC and had his fight purse withheld by the Nevada State Athletic Commission
- Factory X coach Marc Montoya has cut ties with Dulgarian, stating the fighter is no longer part of his team
- The investigation will include the ongoing 2022 Darrick Minner case, and White warned fighters he will “bury” anyone involved in fight fixing
The UFC is working with the FBI following suspicious betting activity surrounding Isaac Dulgarian’s fight at UFC Vegas 110. The situation began before Dulgarian even entered the Octagon.
Dulgarian was originally listed as a heavy favorite against Yadier Del Valle. However, his odds shifted dramatically in the hours before the fight. Some sportsbooks removed prop bets for the matchup entirely.
IC360, the UFC’s betting monitoring partner, alerted the promotion about unusual betting patterns. The company flagged irregular action on Dulgarian losing in the first round. White and UFC officials contacted Dulgarian and his lawyer before the fight.
“We called the fighter and his lawyer and said, ‘What’s going on?'” White told TMZ Sports. The UFC asked if Dulgarian was injured, owed money, or had been approached about fixing the fight. Dulgarian and his lawyer denied everything.
Dulgarian told officials he would “kill” his opponent. The UFC allowed the fight to proceed based on those assurances. Del Valle submitted Dulgarian with a rear-naked choke in the first round.
White called the FBI immediately after the fight ended. “Literally walked out from the octagon into my room in the back and called the FBI,” White said. He spoke directly with FBI director Kash Patel.
The UFC met with FBI agents twice on Tuesday following the fight. White said his office was full of federal agents investigating the incident. The promotion is providing full cooperation with the investigation.
Dulgarian was released from the UFC roster. The Nevada State Athletic Commission reportedly withheld his fight purse, though the commission has not confirmed this action. William Hill and Caesars Sportsbooks offered refunds to bettors who wagered on the fight.
Coach Distances Himself From Fighter
Marc Montoya, owner and head coach of Factory X gym, quickly moved to separate himself from the situation. Speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show, Montoya said his gym and integrity were being attacked. He stated Factory X had nothing to do with any allegations.
Montoya confirmed Dulgarian is no longer part of the Factory X team. “Whether he’s guilty or he’s innocent, in my prediction, Isaac Dulgarian is not gonna fight again,” Montoya said. The coach declined to speculate about the fight itself.
Previous Scandal Resurfaces
The incident mirrors a 2022 case involving fighter Darrick Minner and coach James Krause. Betting lines shifted before Minner’s fight, which ended in 67 seconds. Minner was released and Krause was banned from working with UFC fighters.
White said the Minner investigation is still ongoing and will be connected to the Dulgarian case. He dismissed reports claiming hundreds of fights are under investigation, calling those claims “clickbait.”
White warned any fighter considering fight fixing that the UFC would become their “worst enemy.” He promised to pursue prosecution with the FBI and other agencies. “We will do everything we can to make sure you go to prison,” White said.
Several UFC fighters posted on social media claiming they had been approached about throwing fights. Veterans Vince Morales and Lando Vannata later said they were joking. White said anyone who was actually approached will now have to answer to the FBI.
White stated it is premature to declare Dulgarian guilty, but acknowledged the situation “doesn’t look good” for the fighter. The investigation continues with full cooperation between the UFC and federal law enforcement.
