UFC Dumps Fighter Isaac Dulgarian Amid Betting Probe, Source Says

The UFC has released MMA fighter Isaac Dulgarian after suspicious betting activity leading up to his loss to Yadier del Valle on Saturday night in Las Vegas.

Dulgarian was a -240 favorite to win the UFC Vegas 100 main card fight, but “a lot of money started coming in on del Valle to win in the first round” in the hours leading up to the match. Dulgarian’s moneyline odds dropped to as low as -130, and several sportsbooks suspended betting on the bout.

Dulgarian, who’d never been forced to submit in his career before, did lose in the first round after submitting to a rear-naked choke.

MMA journalist Ariel Helwani was the first to report the news of Dulgarian’s dismissal on X.

Isaac Dulgarian, who was submitted last night by Yadier del Valle, has been released by the UFC, sources say. He was released today.

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…

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) November 3, 2025

Caesars Offers Refunds After Controversial Outcome

Caesars Sportsbook and William Hill doled out customer refunds after the suspect finish.

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.

— Caesars Sportsbook Support (@CaesarsHelp) November 2, 2025

The UFC hasn’t made an official comment, but that didn’t stop President Dana White from expressing his feelings in the aftermath. White noted that an investigation would be ongoing and that UFC officials have warned fighters about betting on bouts.

“They’re going to go to f****** federal prison,” White said. “Federal f****** prison. If you’re that f****** stupid, and someone else wants to do it, knock yourself out. There’s not enough money in it to ruin your life and not go to jail, but federal prison.”

UFC analyst and fighter Michael Chiesa eviscerated Dulgarian after the bout on the official ESPN+ broadcast.

“I’ve got to be honest here,” Chiesa said. “That was an F- performance. It was absolute trash.”

Another Month, Another Potential Sports Betting Scandal

The questionable UFC match comes on the heels of last month’s NBA betting scandal involving Terry Rozier, Chauncey Billups, and Damon Jones. Thirty-four indictments were handed down in one of the biggest sports betting scandals since the repeal of PASPA in 2018.

MLB just enjoyed one of the best World Series in recent memory after an ongoing investigation into Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz. The probe into potential spot-fixing continues, and both players have been barred from participating in winter baseball in the Dominican Republic.

The NFL has remained unscathed in terms of gambling issues for the past couple of years. There were no violations reported for the entirety of last season and for the first half of this year’s schedule. The NFL has taken a hard-line stance against both betting and prediction markets, which are also covered under the league’s current gambling policy.

Meanwhile, the NHL recently inked partnerships with both Kalshi and Polymarket. You have to wonder how prediction markets might impact the number of potential scandals in the future.