Dana White Finally Breaks Silence on Isaac Dulgarian Betting Controversy and Possible FBI Collaboration

UFC CEO Dana White talks about the Isaac Dulgarian UFC Vegas 110 controversy and hints at the FBI getting involved.

Dana White Finally Breaks Silence on Isaac Dulgarian Betting Controversy and Possible FBI Collaboration

Dana White talks about Isaac Dulgarian controversy (via Sky Sports)

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A developing integrity concern has drawn direct attention from UFC CEO Dana White. It involves featherweight fighter Isaac Dulgarian, whose recent bout has sparked one of the most serious betting investigations in the sport this year. Following his first-round defeat at UFC Vegas 110, Dulgarian was removed from the promotion’s roster after irregular wagering patterns tied to the fight.

The matchup ended with Yadier del Valle submitting Dulgarian via rear-naked choke in the opening round, but what followed inside sportsbooks quickly overshadowed the result. Multiple betting operators reported drastic line shifts and unusually heavy wagers on an early finish. This drew suspicion from integrity monitors who flagged the event for further review.

Sportsbooks reacted by freezing or voiding select bets and issuing refunds to customers affected by the rapid odds movement. The UFC, already partnered with IC360 for gambling oversight, initiated its own review and acted swiftly by cutting Dulgarian from its active roster. White recently confirmed that the UFC had reached out to the FBI immediately after learning of the suspicious activity.

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 okay. The fight plays out, first-round finish by rear-naked choke. Literally the first thing we did was call the FBI. I’ve met with the FBI twice today. If you try to do this, we will be your worst enemy. We will immediately go after you with the FBI.

Dana White via TMZ Sports

In a related development, former UFC bantamweight Vince Morales revealed that he was once offered $70,000 to deliberately lose a fight, further intensifying discussions about integrity risks in the sport of MMA. The revelation, which Morales stated he declined, sheds light on how financial manipulation attempts have targeted fighters even within the top promotions.

Amid rising integrity concerns, White has backed new efforts to strengthen cooperation with law enforcement. Working with FBI Director Kash Patel, he has supported the idea of UFC fighters and trainers helping to train agents in hand-to-hand combat. Though still in early stages, the initiative highlighted a broader push to link professional combat sports with stronger federal oversight.

The ongoing investigations have placed the UFC at a pivotal crossroads. As betting scrutiny intensifies, every decision made by the promotion will influence how its commitment to fairness and integrity is viewed. For Dana White, this is more than a response to controversy; it is a defining moment to strengthen transparency, restore public confidence, and ensure the sport’s continued credibility.

Dana White gets candid about retirement plans

From taking over a struggling fight promotion in the early 2000s to building a global sports empire, Dana White has been the driving force behind the UFC’s rise from near bankruptcy to a multibillion-dollar industry leader. Under his leadership, mixed martial arts evolved from an underground spectacle into a mainstream global sport, with events staged across continents and broadcast in over 170 countries.

Dana White
Dana White (via Sportspro)

Now in his mid-fifties, White continues to operate with the same intensity that defined his early years, despite dealing with long-documented health challenges, including Meniere’s disease and weight-related concerns. Yet his refusal to slow down remains evident. He recently stated that retirement holds no appeal for him, explaining that extended time away from work leaves him restless and eager to return.

When I was younger, older people used to say, ‘When I retire, I’ll be drinking Mai Tais on the beach,’ etc. I go on great vacations — after 10 days, I’m sick of drinking, I’m sick of all this sh*t, and I’m ready to get back to the grind. I’m always thinking about how to make the business bigger and bigger every day.

Dana White via Luke Elsman

Recently, former UFC superstar Ronda Rousey emphasized White’s irreplaceable impact on the organization, noting that the UFC’s global success would not have been possible without his leadership and vision. Her remarks echo a sentiment widely shared across the combat sports world, that Dana White’s passion and persistence turned the UFC into the definitive platform for mixed martial arts.

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