Isaac Dulgarian has been issued a suspension by the Nevada Athletic Commission after fight-fixing allegations were raised following his most recent UFC fight.
Ahead of the monthly meeting held by the commission,
Dulgarian was temporarily suspended by the Nevada governing body, who will vote on extending that suspension next Wednesday. There’s a second measure on the docket with the commission also voting on withholding Dulgarian’s purse from the fight as well.
Dulgarian’s suspension comes after the betting lines surrounding his fight with Yadier del Valle shifted dramatically in the hours leading up to their matchup at UFC Vegas 110. Originally listed as a heavy favorite, Dulgarian’s odds dropped before he ultimately suffered a first-round submission loss to del Valle. Afterwards, several prominent sportsbooks actually offered refunds to bettors who placed wagers on Dulgarian for his fight.
Days later, UFC CEO Dana White revealed the promotion had spoken to Dulgarian before he fought to ask him about any potentially shady business happening, but the matchup was allowed to move ahead as scheduled. Once Dulgarian lost in lopsided fashion, the UFC reached out to the FBI for a possible investigation into the matter.
“We called the fighter and his lawyer and said, ‘What’s going on?’” White said after the situation first public. “There’s some weird betting action going on in your fight. Are you injured? Do you owe anybody money? Has anybody approached you?’ And the kid said, ‘No, absolutely not. I’m going to kill this guy.’
“So we said OK. The fight plays out, first-round finish by rear-naked choke. Literally the first thing we did was call the FBI. So we called the FBI, I’ve met with the FBI twice today.”
The UFC released Dulgarian from his contract after the fight ended. The FBI investigation is still ongoing.
White didn’t state emphatically that Dulgarian was guilty of anything yet, but added “it definitely doesn’t look good” for him.
Now Dulgarian has been suspended by the Nevada Athletic Commission with his purse withheld as the investigation into potential fight-fixing allegations continues.
