UFC 324 faced a significant disruption on March 9, 2024, when the organization canceled a lightweight bout between Alexander Hernandez and Michael Johnson due to suspicious betting activity. The cancellation occurred just hours before the event was set to begin at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
The UFC did not initially provide details regarding the reasons for the fight’s cancellation. However, during the post-fight news conference, UFC CEO Dana White confirmed the decision was prompted by alerts about unusual betting patterns. “It happened again,” White stated. “We got called from the gaming integrity service, and I said, ‘I’m not doing this again.’ So we pulled the fight.”
Persistent Concerns Over Betting Integrity
This incident marks another chapter in the ongoing scrutiny surrounding the UFC’s betting practices. Just three months prior, the organization dealt with a significant betting scandal involving a bout between Isaac Dulgarian and Yadier del Valle. Despite being alerted to questionable betting movements by Integrity Compliance 360 (IC360), the UFC chose to continue with that bout. Dulgarian, a favored fighter, lost under circumstances that raised eyebrows, leading to his release from the organization shortly afterward.
White previously dismissed allegations of a widespread issue with fixed fights in the UFC. In November 2023, he remarked, “People are out there talking, ‘there are 100 fights flagged as suspicious,’ and that’s usual clickbait nonsense. We’re watching every single fight that happens in the UFC.” Despite his assurances, the cancellation of fights due to betting irregularities suggests a troubling pattern for the organization.
The cancellation at UFC 324 represents the third public federal investigation into suspicious betting activity involving the UFC. The organization is actively collaborating with federal authorities in these investigations.
Regulatory Actions and Coaching Suspensions
Concerns over betting integrity have led to significant regulatory actions in the sport. In 2023, former UFC fighter and coach James Krause was suspended from cornering fighters after a bout involving one of his students, Darrick Minner, drew unusual betting interest. Minner lost in the first round, and it was later revealed that he entered the fight with a pre-existing injury, further complicating the situation.
As the UFC grapples with these challenges, the organization faces increasing pressure to ensure the integrity of its events. The ongoing investigations underscore the importance of transparency and accountability in a sport heavily intertwined with betting activities.
As the UFC prepares for future events, the implications of the latest cancellation will likely echo throughout the mixed martial arts community and beyond. The focus now shifts to how the organization will address these persistent issues and restore confidence among fans and stakeholders.
