News - UFC Cancels Fight Again Due to Betting Concerns

In yet another controversial move, the UFC has called off a much-anticipated lightweight bout between Alexander Hernandez and Michael Johnson at UFC 324 held at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The decision was made hours before the event’s commencement following alerts about suspicious betting activities related to the fight. UFC's CEO, Dana White, confirmed the reason for the abrupt cancellation due to suspicious wagering patterns. This unexpected cancellation occurs shortly after a significant gambling scandal that rocked the UFC three months ago, involving a fight between Isaac Dulgarian and Yadier del Valle. Despite sports betting watchdog Integrity Compliance 360 raising alarms over bizarre betting line changes, the UFC proceeded with the fight, only for Dulgarian to suffer a questionable defeat. The implications were severe enough to lead to Dulgarian's removal from the UFC roster. In a post-fight press conference, White addressed the issue directly: "We got called from the gaming integrity service, and I said, 'I'm not doing this s--- again.' So, we pulled the fight." This stance underscores an increasingly vigilant attitude by the UFC towards maintaining integrity within its betting ecosystem. The UFC, since the aforementioned November incident with Dulgarian, has been collaborating with the FBI to delve into potential misconduct in betting activities tied to its events. At the time, White downplayed the prevalence of rigged matches within the league, dismissing widespread claims as "clickbait bulls---" while assuring continuous monitoring of every match. This recent betting anomaly marks the third known federal inquiry into the UFC's betting environment. In 2023, interfering betting interest led to the suspension of James Krause, a renowned coach and ex-UFC fighter, following a suspect fight involving his trainee, Darrick Minner. The match saw Minner inexplicably defeated in the initial round, exacerbating speculations as Minner's preexisting injury came to light post-match. Both the integrity of the UFC's matches and the legitimacy of sports betting continue to face scrutiny, as the organization strives to assure athletes and audiences alike of its commitment to fair play and transparency.