Isaac Dulgarian Released after Vegas 110 Loss as UFC & FBI Investigate Alleged Fight Fixing
By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
Las Vegas, NV (November 4th, 2025)– Featherweight Isaac Dulgarian, 7-2, Kansas City, Missouri, Team Factory X, saw his UFC tenure ended on November 2, 2025, after the UFC released him one day after his first round submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:41 of the first round, a controversial loss to Yadier ‘The Cuban Problem’ Del Valle, now 10-0, Ciego De Avila, Cuba, Team Gracie Barra Westchase, at UFC Vegas 110. He went 3-2 in the Octagon, but his controversial odds and resulting performance have left the UFC and MMA with a perpetual black eye. The FBI is investigating.
Dulgarian, coming into his most recent bout, had won seven of his last eight bouts. Was Dulgarian’s loss a fixed fight? Dulgarian choked out quickly by Del Valle in a fight which saw Dulgarian move from a -250 favorite to a -166 in only a few hours, with large bets coming in on a prop bet of Del Valle for a first-round win. Some sportsbooks have since offered refunds to bettors due to the controversial, questionable ending.
On the November 3 2025, edition of The Ariel Helwani Show, Helwani theorized that fighters who are not making much money are being offered quick fixes of needed cash to throw their MMA bouts. “I believe what is happening here is people are preying on lower-level fighters who don’t make a lot of money, (fighters) who are in tough (financial) spots, who are fighting in the major leagues, and they’re offering them a quick fix. How prevalent is this? I can’t tell you. But I’ve now heard it on multiple occasions in my conversations over the past 24 hours,” noted Helwani on his show. It should be noted that Helwani stated that he doesn’t believe the UFC had any involvement in the foul play of the odds.
This follows MMA journalist and promoter Harry Mac, who on November 1, 2025, posted claims on social media that the UFC was made aware by the Federal Bureau of Investigation of the significant line movement, which prompted several sportsbooks to close bets on the Del Valle versus Dulgarian fight in the hours leading up to it. Mac claimed, however, that the UFC was willing to allow the fight to go on despite the ‘suspicious’ betting discrepancies before the bout. Mac added a major, as yet unproven allegation, stating that over 100 fights in the UFC have been flagged for suspicious line movement.
Mac stated on X “Federal regulators have flagged over 100 UFC fights this year for abnormal betting patterns, including the two fighters on last night’s card. Shit is about to get VERY ugly. Still working to confirm (the facts), but it sounds like the Feds are moving to audit Herzog’s fights (as well).” Mac is insinuating foul play, claiming an audit has been placed on (MMA) bouts refereed by Jason Herzog, sparking a still-ongoing back-and-forth verbal war between him and Herzog on X that points fingers but still proves nothing of record.
Helwani chimed in on improper activities by MMA referees. “This is a massive issue for the UFC, and when you consider now I haven’t been told this part I’m about to say. But when you consider the questionable refereeing as of late, you can’t help but let your mind go there as well, because there is no other possible explanation for some of the wacky stuff we’ve seen as of late, and it’s easy to do.”
Helwani implied on his show that the fix was on in Durgarian versus Del Valle. “My understanding is this is on the FBI’s radar. How deep of an investigation is unclear at this time. This is all very new, but yes, this is accurate. My understanding is that this is not an isolated incident. And what I mean by that is I have talked to multiple people who have either experienced, or know of others, who have experienced situations where they have been approached about their willingness to do something like this (being asked) ‘Are you interested in throwing a fight for X amount of dollars?’ (to throw the bout).”
The UFC MMA gambling black eye follows the NBA gambling black eye. As stated on Wikipedia, on October 23, 2025, current and former National Basketball Association players and a coach were among 34 people arrested and indicted for allegedly conducting rigged sports betting and poker games. Hall of Fame player and current Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups, former player Damon Jones, and current Miami Heat Terry Rozier were all arrested for their alleged involvement in the scandal after a complete investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New York City Police Department Organized Crime Control Bureau Joint Organized Crime Task Force.
The consequence of these betting scandals shows MMA, basketball, and the integrity of all amateur and professional sports are suddenly in serious jeopardy. It should be noted that all persons and bouts alleged are presumed innocent until proven otherwise. However, the allegations and other investigations, taken at face value, have placed a black stain on the integrity and believability regarding the future of Mixed Martial Arts and all sports. In the meantime, the UFC, after releasing Dulgarian, has launched its own investigation into the outcome of the Dulgarian versus Del Valle featherweight UFC bout result.
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