Dana White Voices Concern Over UFC Fight Fixing
The UFC has been on a run of tremendous fight cards. Despite that, there is one issue that continues to resurface: UFC fight-fixing. UFC president Dana White told ESPN Friday that fight-fixing within the organization has become a concern amidst investigations into suspicious gambling.
The fight-fixing allegations stem back to a fight between Darrick Minner and Shayilan Nuerdanbieke at UFC Vegas 64. In short, the bout saw major line changes before the fight, and betting lines swung in Nuerdanbieke’s favor. Nuerdanbieke went on to win the fight in the first round as Minner went down with an injury. Come to find out, Minner did not disclose that he had a pre-existing injury coming into the fight. The concern, which is now being investigated, is that news of Minner’s injury was leaked which led to large wages on Nuerdanbieke.
At this point, various organizations have started investigations that are looking into the suspicious betting that occurred prior to the fight. These investigations have resulted in White admitting that he is concerned about the situation.
“Huge concern. … Now that there’s an investigation and it could be possible that it happened, yeah,” White said.
Quote via ESPN
Since the issue with the Minner and Nuerdanbieke fight, the UFC has penalized Minner and his head coach James Krause.
It started with the UFC suspending Krause from coaching in the UFC. That was eventually extended to any fighter that trains at Krause’s gym, Glory MMA and Fitness. The UFC is allowing Krause’s fighters to switch gyms and remain in the UFC, they are just not permitted to fight while being a part of Krause’s gym. Minner has also been cut from the UFC.
White has come out harshly against any fighter or coach that has potentially partaken in these illegal gambling scandals.
“In every sport, somebody thinks they’re smarter than everybody else when really they’re the dumbest guy in the room,” White said. “And you will get caught — you will get caught and you will go to prison. It is what it is. If you’re that dumb and you’re willing to take that risk for money. Ruin your life for money. We can tell people until we’re blue in the face. Same thing as steroids, performance-enhancing drugs. ‘Don’t do it, USADA is testing, you’re gonna get caught.’ But this is a whole other level. … If you’re that stupid, have fun in prison.”
Quote via ESPN
Even though investigations are ongoing, there has yet to be any concrete evidence that there was any wrongdoing in the Minner and Nuerdanbieke fight. At the same time, that may change by the end of the investigation. Only time will tell what took place prior to the bout.
