Rigged? Isaac Dulgarian’s Suspicious Collapse at UFC Vegas 110

ByNBAUSA



The MMA community is reeling from a controversial finish at UFC Vegas 110 on Saturday night, as Isaac Dulgarian’s shock loss to undefeated underdog Yadier del Valle sparked allegations of potential fight-fixing and raised serious concerns about the integrity of sports betting. What should have been a routine featherweight bout turned into a nightmare scenario that eerily mirrors the 2022 scandal that nearly destroyed the UFC’s credibility and forced the promotion to take unprecedented action against those involved.

Dulgarian, known as “The Midwest Choppa,” entered the cage as a heavy -250 favorite against the talented but less experienced Cuban fighter del Valle. The Kansas City native held an impressive 3-1 record in the UFC while del Valle made waves as an undefeated prospect. However, in the hours leading up to the fight, something strange happened in bookies across the country. Large sums of money suddenly flooded del Valle, forcing the betting lines to change dramatically from the favored Dulgarian at -250 all the way down to around -166, making the match virtually optional at several major sportsbooks.​​

This rapid movement of lines did not go unnoticed. Multiple sportsbooks, including the wild DraftKings, actually pulled draft bets from their platforms to minimize their exposure, a drastic measure that immediately raised red flags within the betting community. What happened in the next few minutes would only heighten those concerns. Del Valle secured a long back choke at 3:41 of the first round, finishing Dulgarian in stunning fashion. However, it was not the victory itself that caused anger – but how the fight unfolded before the end

The questionable performance that changed everything

Commentators and fans watching UFC Vegas 110 were visibly confused by Dulgarian’s defensive effort, or lack thereof, during his final moments in the cage. The fight sequence that led to his submission seemed uncharacteristically poor for a fighter of his caliber, with Dulgarian seemingly unable to put up any significant resistance against an opponent he was supposed to dominate. Combat sports bettor Hayden Iverson pointed to a questionable finish in a post that showed Dulgarian’s non-existent defense trying to fend off a routine choke.

UFC light heavyweight Michael Chiesa didn’t mince words when discussing Dulgarian’s performance during the UFC post-fight show. “If you’re on the main card of a UFC event, it’s one thing if you get hit with a submission, but there were a lot of mistakes on the first day,” Chiesa said. He elaborated by pointing out that Dulgarian made basic technical errors that seasoned pros simply don’t make, including wrong hand placement and useless shots. Chiesa concluded his assessment by calling the performance “absolute rubbish”, which was strongly criticized by a fellow fighter who had just witnessed what many believed to be MMA at a professional level and not an amateur display of satire.​​

Echoes of the James Krause scandal: a connection that cannot be ignored

Perhaps the most damning piece of this puzzle is Dulgarian’s past association with James Krause, the disgraced trainer and former UFC fighter who was banned from the sport after a near-identical betting scandal in 2022. Krause trained fighters at his Missouri-based Glory MMA & Fitness, and his attention included a pattern of suppression. federal authorities just three years ago.​

The Krause scandal centered on the UFC Vegas 64 fight between Darrick Miner and Shajilan Noerdanbike, where the money flooded Noerdanbike to win in the first round, resulting in the odds changing from -220 to -420. Miner, cornered by Krause, entered the cage with an unknown leg injury and was stopped just 1:07 into the first round. Krause and Miner were suspended indefinitely by the Nevada State Athletic Commission for questionable activity and undisclosed medical information. Jeff Molina, another fighter who trains at Krause’s gym, was also suspended for his connection to the betting irregularities.​​

Following that scandal, the UFC issued a strict ban on any fighters who choose to continue training with Krause or at his gym from competing in the promotion. It was a nuclear option that sent shockwaves through MMA and effectively ended Krause’s career as a trainer in the sport. Now that Dulgarian’s relationship with Krause has been revealed, and with his performance bearing all the hallmarks of Miner’s situation, the MMA community has understandably begun to connect the dots suggesting a pattern of potential manipulation.​​

Consequences: Refunds, Releases and Remaining Matters

Following the controversy, the major sportsbooks immediately took measures to protect their customers and their reputations. Caesars Sportsbook & Casino, William Hill and DraftKings have announced that they will issue refunds within 24 hours to customers who lose bets on the Dulgarian fight, a clear sign that even the betting industry believes something is amiss.​​

Just a day after the event, the UFC made its statement by releasing Isaac Dulgarian from the organization. While the promotion officially attributed the release to Dulgarian’s loss, the context surrounding his departure makes it clear that questionable betting activity played a significant role in the decision. The move is reminiscent of the UFC’s swift action against Derrick Miner three years earlier, suggesting the promotion has learned from previous mistakes.​​

Despite all this evidence and the reasonable concern of analysts, commentators and sportsbooks, some figures in the MMA community remain skeptical of the fight-fixing narrative. Former UFC fighter and analyst Chael Sonnen criticized those making the accusations, pointing out that no concrete evidence has been presented and demanding that the sport’s professionals conduct a proper investigation. Sonnen’s cautious approach is a valid counterpoint to the rapid speculation that followed the fight, though it does little to ease the minds of those worried about the pattern this incident is creating.​​

The UFC has partnered with US Integrity to monitor illegal betting activities in addition to oversight by the Nevada State Athletic Commission, measures taken in the wake of the Krause scandal to prevent future incidents.

The Dulgarian-del Valle incident at UFC Vegas 110 will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the most controversial moments in recent UFC history, a watershed moment that once again exposed potential vulnerabilities in the sport’s integrity systems. As investigations continue and the MMA community waits for answers, one thing is clear: the sport’s credibility hangs in the balance, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.





2025-11-03 13:23:00

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