Beneil Dariush believes the UFC’s newest betting scandal is ruining the game.
Simply three years faraway from the sketchy state of affairs involving former MMA fighter turned coach James Krause, UFC fighters are as soon as once more being investigated after uncommon betting exercise was detected forward of Isaac Dulgarian’s battle in opposition to Yadier del Valle on November 1.
In keeping with Dana White, who spoke extensively concerning the state of affairs on Tuesday, revealed that the UFC was alerted by IC360 — the promotion’s sports activities betting integrity accomplice — on Saturday about uncommon betting exercise on that evening’s featherweight showcase between Dulgarian and del Valle.
Dulgarian was a -250 when the day started, however an hour earlier than the bout was scheduled to start, a sequence of bets favoring del Valle got here in and dropped Dulgarian to -150.
Dulgarian went on to lose the bout through a first-round rear-naked choke, eliciting criticism from the commentary crew, together with Daniel Cormier, who known as Dulgarian’s protection “white belt stuff.” The UFC later launched Dulgarian from the roster.
Since then, stories have revealed that the FBI is actively investigating Duglarian vs. del Valle and as many as 100 different fights for potential battle fixing.
“It simply makes you surprise how a lot of this has gone on and the way usually it occurs,” Dariush advised MMA Junkie whereas discussing the scandal. “That completely ruins our sport if it’s taking place regularly. I’m not a believer in playing, I’m not a fan of playing, so I ponder if they’ll simply take away playing, however I don’t know if we will. It’s exterior our management, exterior the UFC’s management.”
A number of UFC Fighters declare they’ve been approached to repair fights
Within the time since Saturday’s card in Las Vegas, different fighters have claimed on social media that they’ve been approached about throwing fights. Vince Morales, who has 11 UFC bouts to his credit score and final competed in March, stated he was provided $70,000 to take a dive.
Vanessa Demopoulos, a ladies’s flyweight standout with 10 fights underneath the UFC banner, stated she additionally has been approached about throwing fights.
In his interview with TMZ, White made it clear that he’s not sure of Dulgarian’s guilt, however admitted that “it doesn’t look good.” He additionally despatched a stern warning to any fighter or coach trying to repair fights.
“Should you strive to do that, I’ve been very vocal and really open about this; we will probably be your worst enemy,” White stated. “We’ll instantly go after you, weapons a-blazing, with the FBI and whoever else we have to get, and we’ll do all the things we will to be sure to go to jail.”
