Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: UFC, MMA, Ariel Helwani
Ben McCrum
The UFC has released a statement addressing the suspicious betting activity before a recent fight that has forced the FBI to intervene.
An entertaining UFC fight card headlined by featherweights Steve Garcia and David Onama at Apex sports complex in Enterprise, Nevada got underway on Saturday night.
Unfortunately, the exciting fights across the card have been overshadowed by drama and controversy as reports of 'suspicious' betting activity in the build-up to a bout earlier in the card emerged.
Despite entering into the fight as a heavy favourite, Isaac Dulgarian was submitted in the fourth minute of round one by opponent Yadier del Valle, just hours after a large number of bets predicting the surprise outcome came in.
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In the fallout of the event, popular MMA journalist Ariel Helwani revealed that the American American Federal Bureau of Investigation were looking into the incident, and now the UFC have responded.
Following the bout, Helwani confirmed on social media that Dulgarian had suddenly been released by the organisation.
Speaking in his show on Monday evening, Helwani also revealed that he had spoken with several fighters about the incident who told him that the incident was not an isolated affair.
But in a statement posted on social media by fellow MMA journalist Aaron Bronsteter, the UFC reaffirmed the importance of their integrity and how they work to ensure it is protected
It read: "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.”
It is not yet known exactly what the FBI's investigation will entail or what the potential repercussions of it could be, nor is it known just how severe this potential issue is, or how many fights have been impacted.
Regardless, Dulgarian will not fight again in the UFC, leaving the organisation having won two and lost two of his four fights under the promotion.
Announcing the decision to release the American fighter, Helwani wrote: “The official reason was attributed to last night’s loss; however, the bout has been the center of controversy after a ton of money started to come in on Dulgarian, a sizable favourite, to lose in the first, which is what happened.”
SPORTbible has contacted the UFC for comment.