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Dulgarian’s ‘release’ fuels UFC Vegas controversy amid betting fix claims

Dulgarian's 'release' fuels UFC Vegas controversy amid betting fix claims. A UFC fight scene shows one fighter on the canvas with his back against the cage while the opponent has secured back control and is attempting a choke. Both athletes wear UFC gloves and shorts as they grapple on the mat, with the Black Rifle Coffee Company logo and the fight clock visible in the octagon.

Rumors of FBI involvement have been swirling online after sportsbooks refunded wagers following accusations of fight fixing in a UFC bout, and the controversy intensified further when reports emerged that Isaac Dulgarian has since been released from the promotion.

UFC Vegas 110 became the subject of controversy on Saturday (November 1), after Cuban featherweight up and comer Yadier del Valle surprised fans by submitting assumed champion Dulgarian in the first round. Fights can always go either way, of course, but what has particularly rankled fans, gamblers, and potentially the authorities is that the betting line shifted dramatically an hour before the fight got underway.

This has led to allegations of fixing the fight on social media from both fans and oddmakers. The change was certainly dramatic, with Dulgarian opening as a -240 favorite before tightening to -160 just before the fight. Adding more fuel to the fire, the prop bet for a first-round finish dropped from +850 to +475, a wager that is estimated to have brought in five figures in late-action bets. This led to multiple sportsbooks, including industry giant DraftKings, reportedly pulling the prop line altogether.

Allegations of UFC fixing escalate

In the aftermath of events, there are now reports trickling through that the FBI was aware of the unusual betting patterns.

“The FBI notified the UFC of the abnormal action and line movement and gave them hours to pull the fight,” wrote Harry Mac on X, from an account that’s broken sports news for ESPN and other verified outlets in the past. “They chose to continue and from my perspective are now complicit in fixing a fight.”

Later, he updated with another post: “Federal regulators have flagged OVER 100 UFC fights this year for abnormal betting patterns, including two additional fighters on last night’s card. S*** is about to get VERY ugly. Still working to confirm but it sounds like the Feds are moving to audit Herzog’s fights.”

What’s more, major sportsbooks, Caesars and William Hill, have taken to social media stating that they will be offering refunds for bets placed on the fight.

No formal investigation has been announced, but that task would likely fall to either or both of the Nevada State Athletic Commission or UFC itself. This comes after a greater risk of fixing sports events was warned about last week, especially with the rise of prediction markets.

Isaac Dulgarian reportedly released after controversial loss

Since the controversy, it has been reported that Dulgarian has been released from the roster. In a statement, a UFC spokesperson said: “Like many professional sports organizations, UFC works with an independent betting integrity service to monitor wagering activity on our events.

“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.”

UPDATE: Latest comments from the UFC and reports of Dulgarian’s release have been added on November 4, 2025.

Featured image: TNT Sports via YouTube

The post Dulgarian’s ‘release’ fuels UFC Vegas controversy amid betting fix claims appeared first on ReadWrite.

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