Isaac Dulgarian’s submission loss on Nov. 1 has attracted a lot
of the wrong kind of attention. | Getty/UFC
Isaac
Dulgarian has denied that there was anything shady involved in
his Nov. 1 bout against Yadier Del
Valle at
UFC Vegas 110.
The Nevada State Athletic Commission on Tuesday voted to extend
Dulgarian’s temporary suspension due to “conduct which is deemed by
the commission to reflect a discredit to unarmed combat,” according
to Nevada deputy attorney general Matthew Feeley. The investigation
into Dulgarian’s role in a potential fight fixing scenario is still
ongoing.
Dulgarian entered his matchup with del Valle at UFC Vegas 110 —
also known as UFC Fight Night 263 — as a significant favorite.
However, suspicions were raised when odds shifted significantly as
the bout approached. The promotion — along with betting integrity
partner IC360 — reportedly got word of the activity and took the
shift seriously enough to have a conversation with Dulgarian, who
insisted that nothing was amiss. Factory X head trainer Marc
Montoya also
received assurances from his fighter ahead of the contest there
was nothing unusual going on. Dulgarian would go on to lose the
fight via submission at the 3:41 mark of Round 1.
Serious Fallout
The fallout from that result included the UFC involving the FBI to
investigate the matter and Dulgarian being released from his
contract with the promotion. Dulgarian was also removed from the
Factory X team, where he had relocated following a
previous gambling scandal with former coach James
Krause. Additionally, some sportsbooks
offered refunds to bettors who wagered on Dulgarian at UFC
Vegas 110.
During Tuesday’s meeting, Dulgarian denied an wrongdoing through a
letter from his attorney, James Hobb. Though it came through his
lawyer, it’s the first time that Dulgarian has publicly commented
on the situation.
“As you know, it has been alleged in correspondence with the state
of Nevada Athletic Commission that there are grounds deemed by the
commission supporting the temporary suspension of our client, Isaac
Dulgarian,” the statement read. “While Mr. Dulgarian denies any
claims of conduct reflecting discredit in the field of unarmed
combat, he consents to another extension of the temporary
suspension.”
The next chance for the NSAC to decide upon further punishment for
Dulgarian will be an upcoming meeting scheduled for Jan. 20.