Isaac Dulgarian Released From UFC After Betting Controversy
Isaac Dulgarian has been released from the UFC following his first-round submission loss to Yadier del Valle. The decision came shortly after irregular betting activity was detected in the hours leading up to the fight.
Sudden Odds Shift Before the Fight
Dulgarian entered the octagon as the favorite, opening at -250, but the odds shifted sharply to -154 just before the match began. The unusual movement prompted speculation that a wave of late bets may have affected market confidence.
Dulgarian, known as The Midwest Choppa, brought a 7–1 record into the cage, while Del Valle remained unbeaten and left with a 10–0 record after forcing a rear-naked choke in the opening round.
No formal allegations have been made, but the timing of the odds change and the nature of the defeat have fueled widespread discussion within the MMA and betting communities.
UFC commentator and veteran fighter Michael Chiesa was among the first to speak out about the fight.
“I’ve got to be honest here, that was an F- performance,” Chiesa said, later describing the contest as “trash.”
After reviewing the footage, Chiesa added that Dulgarian seemed “a little bit lost” during the fight and failed to take advantage of several opportunities to escape from Del Valle’s chokehold. Instead, he repeatedly attempted to punch his opponent from a disadvantageous position. Chiesa’s comments spread quickly online, with some suggesting that his harsh analysis may have contributed to UFC’s decision to end Dulgarian’s contract.
Bookmakers Issue Refunds
The controversy did not stop in the cage. Several major sportsbooks, including William Hill US and Caesars Sportsbook, have announced refunds for those who bet on Dulgarian to win. DraftKings stated that it is “monitoring the situation closely.”
Refunds of this kind are rare and typically signal concerns about the fairness of a sporting event.
Dulgarian has not issued a public statement regarding his release or the rumors surrounding the fight. The UFC has also remained quiet, though pressure continues to build on the organization to strengthen oversight of betting activity connected to its events.
Previous Incidents
This is not the first time UFC has faced questions about betting irregularities. In 2022, featherweight Darrick Minner was released after suspicious betting patterns emerged before his fight, leading to suspensions from the Nevada State Athletic Commission for both him and his coach.
A more severe case involved South Korean fighter Tae Hyun Bang, who served a 10-month prison sentence after admitting to accepting money to lose a bout.