Sports Bribery Charges: A Look at the UFC Fight-Fixing Scandal

UFC Fight-Fixing Scandal: What Federal Charges Could Fighters and Coaches Face?

The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is facing its most serious integrity crisis in years. Federal investigators are probing allegations that fighters deliberately lost bouts to benefit gamblers, with the FBI and Nevada State Athletic Commission examining suspicious betting patterns across multiple fights. At the center of the investigation is a November 1, 2025 featherweight bout at UFC Vegas 110, where fighter Isaac Dulgarian’s unexpected poor performance triggered alarms across the sports betting industry.

Major sportsbooks took the rare step of refunding all bets on the fight, and Dulgarian was immediately released from his UFC contract with his fight purse frozen. But for those involved, refunds and contract terminations may be the least of their worries. Federal prosecutors have powerful legal tools at their disposal to prosecute fight-fixing schemes, and the potential criminal penalties are severe.

As this investigation unfolds, it’s worth examining what federal charges could be brought, who might face prosecution, and what the legal consequences could mean for fighters, coaches, referees, and others allegedly involved in corrupting mixed martial arts competitions.

The Allegations: What Happened at UFC Vegas 110?

Understanding the potential charges requires understanding what investigators believe occurred. According to reports, Dulgarian entered his fight against Yadier del Valle as a significant favorite, with odds around -250. However, in the hours before the fight, betting lines shifted dramatically toward near-even odds—an unusual movement that suggested large sums of money were being wagered on the underdog.

When the fight took place, Dulgarian’s performance was described as suspiciously poor. The UFC’s integrity monitoring service, IC360, flagged the bout for abnormal betting activity. Caesars Sportsbook and DraftKings subsequently refunded all wagers, a measure typically reserved for situations where the integrity of a sporting event is seriously compromised.

The Nevada State Athletic Commission moved swiftly, withholding Dulgarian’s entire fight purse pending investigation. The UFC terminated his contract. And now, federal investigators are examining whether criminal laws were violated—not just in this fight, but potentially in dozens or even hundreds of others.

Some unconfirmed reports suggest the FBI has flagged over 100 UFC fights from 2025 for abnormal betting patterns, though this number remains under scrutiny. Investigators are also reportedly considering an audit of fights refereed by Jason Herzog due to repeated irregularities.

Federal Crime #1: Sports Bribery

The primary federal statute for prosecuting fight-fixing is 18 U.S.C. § 224, the federal sports bribery law. This statute makes it a crime to influence, or attempt to influence, the outcome of a sporting event through bribery. The law applies to any sporting contest where participants cross state lines or where interstate commerce is involved—requirements easily met in professional UFC bouts where fighters travel from different states and the events are broadcast nationally.

What the Law Prohibits

Under 18 U.S.C. § 224, it is illegal to:

• Carry into effect, or attempt to carry into effect, any scheme to influence a sporting contest by bribery
• Offer, promise, or give anything of value with the intent to influence a participant to limit their performance
• Solicit, accept, or agree to accept anything of value in exchange for limiting one’s performance in a sporting contest

The statute defines a “sporting contest” broadly to include any contest in any sport where participants compete for compensation exceeding $1,000. UFC fights clearly qualify, as even preliminary card fighters typically earn $12,000 or more per bout.

Who Can Be Prosecuted

This law can ensnare a wide range of participants in a fight-fixing scheme:

Fighters: Any fighter who agrees to limit their performance, throw a fight, or deliberately lose in exchange for payment faces prosecution under this statute. The fighter doesn’t need to successfully throw the fight—merely agreeing to do so is sufficient for criminal liability.

Promoters and Managers: Anyone who offers money or other benefits to a fighter to influence the outcome can be prosecuted. This could include coaches, managers, gym owners, or even other fighters acting as intermediaries.

Gamblers and Bettors: Those who orchestrate the scheme by offering bribes to fighters or arranging for others to do so face liability, even if they never personally speak with the fighter.

Referees and Officials: While the current investigation appears focused on fighters, referees who accept bribes to influence fight outcomes through biased officiating would also violate this statute.

Penalties

A conviction under 18 U.S.C. § 224 carries serious consequences: up to five years in federal prison and substantial fines. The statute also allows for enhanced penalties if the scheme involves larger amounts of money or multiple participants.

Federal Crime #2: Wire Fraud

Federal prosecutors rarely rely on a single statute when building cases. In sports betting scandals, 18 U.S.C. § 1343—the wire fraud statute—provides a powerful additional tool. Wire fraud is one of the most frequently prosecuted federal crimes, and its broad language gives prosecutors significant flexibility.

The Elements of Wire Fraud

To prove wire fraud, federal prosecutors must establish:

1. A scheme to defraud or obtain property by false pretenses
2. Intent to defraud
3. Use of interstate wire communications in furtherance of the scheme

In a fight-fixing case, these elements are readily apparent. The scheme involves defrauding sportsbooks and bettors who believe they are wagering on a legitimate contest. The intent to defraud exists when participants knowingly present a fixed fight as legitimate competition. And the use of wire communications—phone calls, text messages, emails, or online betting platforms—occurs constantly throughout such schemes.

Why Wire Fraud Charges Are Powerful

Wire fraud carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison per count, significantly more severe than the sports bribery statute. Each separate wire communication can constitute a separate count, allowing prosecutors to charge dozens of violations from a single scheme.

Moreover, wire fraud doesn’t require that the scheme succeed—mere participation in a fraudulent scheme using wire communications is sufficient for conviction. This means even preliminary discussions about fixing a fight, if conducted via phone or internet, could support wire fraud charges.

In the UFC Vegas 110 case, every text message between conspirators, every phone call arranging payment, every online bet placed with knowledge of the fix, and every electronic communication about the scheme could constitute a separate wire fraud violation.

Federal Crime #3: Interstate Travel in Aid of Racketeering (ITAR)

The Travel Act, 18 U.S.C. § 1952, prohibits interstate travel or use of interstate facilities to carry out unlawful activity. This statute becomes relevant when participants travel across state lines to engage in illegal gambling or bribery activities.

Application to Fight-Fixing

In the UFC context, fighters routinely travel from their home states to Nevada, Florida, or other jurisdictions for bouts. If a fighter travels to Nevada knowing they’ve agreed to fix a fight, or if a gambler travels to Las Vegas to arrange a fix, they’ve potentially violated the Travel Act.

The statute requires that the interstate travel be undertaken “with intent to” carry out illegal activity. For example, if Dulgarian traveled from his home state to Las Vegas with the intention of throwing his fight in exchange for payment, he could face Travel Act charges in addition to sports bribery.

Penalties under the Travel Act include up to five years in prison for each violation.

Federal Crime #4: Conspiracy

Perhaps the broadest federal charge available is 18 U.S.C. § 371, the general conspiracy statute. This law makes it criminal for two or more people to agree to commit any federal offense and to take any act in furtherance of that agreement.

Why Conspiracy Charges Are Valuable to Prosecutors

Conspiracy charges offer several advantages for federal prosecutors:

Lower burden of proof: The government need only prove an agreement existed and that one conspirator took a single overt act toward accomplishing the goal. The government doesn’t need to prove the conspiracy succeeded.

Broader liability: Each conspirator is responsible for the acts of all other conspirators in furtherance of the conspiracy. This means a fighter who threw a fight could be held liable for the illegal betting activities of gamblers he never met.

Extended statute of limitations: The conspiracy continues until its objectives are accomplished or abandoned, meaning the five-year federal statute of limitations may not begin running until the scheme ends.

Co-conspirator statements: Under conspiracy law, statements made by one conspirator can be used as evidence against other conspirators, even if those statements would normally be inadmissible hearsay.

Who Gets Swept Up in Conspiracy Charges

In a large-scale fight-fixing investigation, conspiracy charges could implicate numerous people beyond the fighters themselves:

• Coaches who facilitate or encourage fighters to throw fights
• Gym owners who connect fighters with gamblers
• Betting coordinators who organize the wagering
• Money launderers who help disguise the proceeds
• Even individuals who merely provided advice or assistance could face conspiracy liability if they knowingly contributed to the scheme

The maximum penalty for conspiracy to commit federal offenses is five years in prison, though conspiracy can also carry the same maximum penalty as the underlying offense being conspired to commit.

Federal Crime #5: RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act)

If investigators determine that fight-fixing in the UFC represents an ongoing criminal enterprise rather than isolated incidents, federal prosecutors could employ the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), 18 U.S.C. § 1962.

When RICO Applies

RICO was originally designed to combat organized crime, but its reach extends to any pattern of racketeering activity conducted through an enterprise. To prove a RICO violation, prosecutors must show:

1. An enterprise existed (this could be a loose association of fighters, coaches, and gamblers)
2. The enterprise affected interstate commerce (UFC clearly does)
3. The defendant was associated with the enterprise
4. The defendant participated in a pattern of racketeering activity (at least two acts of specified crimes within ten years)

Sports bribery, wire fraud, and interstate travel in aid of racketeering all qualify as “racketeering activity” under RICO. If the FBI has indeed flagged over 100 UFC fights for suspicious betting patterns, and if evidence shows coordination among participants across multiple fights, RICO charges become possible.

RICO’s Devastating Consequences

RICO carries extraordinary penalties: up to 20 years in prison per count, plus substantial fines. More significantly, RICO includes civil forfeiture provisions allowing the government to seize all property derived from the racketeering activity. This means fighters, coaches, and gamblers could lose homes, bank accounts, and other assets traceable to the scheme.

RICO also creates civil liability, meaning victims (like sportsbooks or bettors) can sue for triple damages. A single successful RICO prosecution could lead to hundreds of millions of dollars in civil judgments against those involved.

Federal Crime #6: Money Laundering

When significant sums change hands in fight-fixing schemes, federal prosecutors often add money laundering charges under 18 U.S.C. § 1956 and § 1957. These statutes prohibit conducting financial transactions with proceeds from illegal activity with the intent to conceal the source of the funds or to promote further illegal activity.

How Money Laundering Applies

In a typical fight-fixing scenario, money laundering occurs when:

• Gamblers pay fighters using structured transactions designed to avoid reporting requirements
• Winning bettors attempt to disguise the source of their winnings
• Participants use shell companies or cryptocurrency to transfer payments
• Conspirators purchase assets with proceeds from fixed fights

Money laundering carries penalties of up to 20 years in prison per count. Like wire fraud, each separate financial transaction can constitute a separate count, allowing prosecutors to multiply charges rapidly in cases involving substantial sums.

Who Could Face Criminal Charges?

Based on the legal framework described above, numerous individuals connected to UFC Vegas 110 and potentially other flagged fights could face criminal exposure.

Isaac Dulgarian and Other Fighters

Dulgarian faces the most immediate risk. If investigators find evidence he agreed to limit his performance in exchange for payment, he could face sports bribery, wire fraud, conspiracy, and potentially RICO charges. His sudden release from the UFC and the withholding of his purse suggest the organization believes evidence of wrongdoing exists.

If the FBI has indeed flagged over 100 fights, dozens of other fighters could face similar scrutiny. Any fighter whose performance doesn’t match their established skill level or whose fight coincides with unusual betting patterns risks investigation.

Coaches and Trainers

The investigation has already touched coaching figures. The document references past cases involving coaches like James Krause of Glory MMA, who was banned in 2022 for links to betting probes. Coaches who facilitate connections between fighters and gamblers, who encourage fighters to throw fights, or who themselves place bets based on inside knowledge all face potential prosecution.

In Dulgarian’s case, investigators will examine whether his coaching staff had any knowledge of or participation in a potential fix. Communications between fighter and coach are likely subject to subpoena.

Gamblers and Betting Coordinators

The individuals behind unusual betting patterns face the most serious exposure. Professional gambling syndicates that orchestrate large-scale betting operations to profit from fixed fights could face RICO charges encompassing dozens or hundreds of criminal acts.

These sophisticated operations often involve:

• Recruiters who identify and approach vulnerable fighters
• Financial coordinators who arrange payments to fighters
• Betting coordinators who place wagers across multiple sportsbooks to maximize profit and minimize detection
• Money launderers who help conceal the proceeds

Each role in this chain could face federal prosecution.

Referees and Officials

The potential audit of fights refereed by Jason Herzog suggests investigators are examining whether officials have been compromised. A referee who accepts bribes to influence outcomes through biased calls, premature stoppages, or failure to enforce rules faces the same criminal liability as fighters who throw fights.

Corrupt officials are particularly valuable to fix organizers because a single compromised referee can influence multiple fights. If evidence emerges of systematic referee involvement, the scandal could dwarf the current fighter-focused investigation.

UFC Personnel and Executives

A more troubling question involves the UFC organization itself. Critics have noted that the UFC knew of suspicious betting activity before the Dulgarian fight but allowed it to proceed. This raises questions about organizational oversight and potential liability.

While no evidence suggests UFC executives participated in fight-fixing, if investigators determine the organization failed to take reasonable steps to prevent or report suspected fixes, civil liability could arise. The organization could face sanctions from athletic commissions, civil lawsuits from bettors, or regulatory actions.

Individual UFC employees who had knowledge of fixes and failed to report them could potentially face charges of misprision of felony under 18 U.S.C. § 4, which prohibits concealing knowledge of a felony and taking steps to cover it up.

The Investigation Process: What Happens Next

Federal investigations of sports corruption typically follow a methodical pattern that can span months or years.

Subpoenas and Document Collection

Investigators will issue subpoenas for:

• Bank records showing payments between parties
• Phone records revealing communication patterns
• Text messages and emails discussing the fights
• Betting records from sportsbooks showing who placed wagers and when
• UFC internal communications about integrity concerns

Interviews and Cooperation Agreements

Federal agents will interview fighters, coaches, sportsbook employees, and others with knowledge of suspicious activities. Some lower-level participants may be offered cooperation agreements—reduced charges in exchange for testimony against organizers.

In sports corruption cases, cooperation often comes from fighters who threw one or two fights but can identify the organizers and coordinators. These cooperating witnesses become crucial to building cases against the scheme’s architects.

Forensic Analysis

The FBI will employ forensic accountants to trace money flows and betting analysts to identify patterns across multiple fights. If 100 or more fights show suspicious patterns, sophisticated data analysis will help identify common links—shared coaches, similar betting patterns, overlapping gamblers, or coordinated timing.

Grand Jury Proceedings

Federal prosecutors will present evidence to a grand jury, which will determine whether sufficient probable cause exists to return indictments. Grand jury proceedings are secret, but the filing of criminal charges typically becomes public when defendants are arrested or summoned to court.

Defenses and Challenges for the Accused

Those facing charges will raise various defenses, though successful defenses in sports bribery cases are rare when prosecutors have strong evidence.

Lack of Agreement

Defendants might argue no agreement to fix fights existed. Perhaps a fighter simply performed poorly due to injury, illness, or an off night. The government must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that a corrupt agreement existed, not merely that a fighter lost unexpectedly.

Entrapment

If undercover agents or confidential informants initiated contact and repeatedly pressured a fighter to throw a fight, entrapment defenses might arise. However, entrapment requires that the government induced conduct the defendant was not predisposed to commit—a difficult standard to meet.

Insufficient Evidence

The most common defense is simply challenging the sufficiency of the government’s evidence. Without recorded conversations, documented payments, or cooperating witnesses, prosecutors may struggle to prove corrupt agreements existed.

Statute of Limitations

The general federal statute of limitations is five years for most crimes (excluding murder and certain terrorism offenses). Older suspicious fights may fall outside the limitations period unless prosecutors can establish an ongoing conspiracy that extended into the limitations period.

Penalties: What Do Convicted Defendants Face?

Criminal penalties for fight-fixing can be severe, particularly when multiple charges are involved.

Prison Time

A defendant convicted of sports bribery, wire fraud, conspiracy, and money laundering related to multiple fights could face decades in federal prison. Federal sentencing guidelines consider the amount of money involved, the number of victims, and whether the defendant obstructed justice.

First-time offenders with minimal criminal history might receive sentences at the lower end of guideline ranges, potentially avoiding prison time through probation for minor roles. But organizers and repeat offenders face substantial prison terms—10 to 20 years or more in serious cases.

Financial Penalties

Beyond prison, convicted defendants face:

• Criminal fines reaching hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars
• Restitution to victims, including sportsbooks that paid out winning bets on fixed fights
• Forfeiture of property derived from illegal proceeds, including homes, cars, and bank accounts
• Civil judgments in lawsuits brought by victims

Collateral Consequences

A federal conviction carries consequences beyond sentencing:

• Permanent criminal record affecting future employment
• Loss of professional licenses
• Lifetime bans from athletic competition
• Difficulty obtaining credit or housing
• Immigration consequences for non-citizens, including deportation

Historical Context: Past Sports Corruption Prosecutions

The UFC investigation follows a long history of federal prosecutions for sports corruption.

The 1919 Black Sox Scandal

Perhaps the most famous sports-fixing scandal involved eight Chicago White Sox players who allegedly conspired to lose the 1919 World Series. Though the players were acquitted in criminal court (partially due to missing evidence), all were banned from baseball for life. The scandal led to reforms that strengthened baseball’s integrity measures.

NBA Referee Tim Donaghy (2007)

NBA referee Tim Donaghy pleaded guilty to federal charges of wire fraud and transmitting betting information after he provided inside information to gamblers and bet on games he officiated. Donaghy received 15 months in prison and three years supervised release. His case demonstrated how a single corrupt official can compromise an entire sport’s integrity.

The Boston College Point-Shaving Scandal (1978-79)

Boston College basketball players conspired with gamblers to manipulate point spreads. Several participants, including mobsters who organized the scheme, received prison sentences. The case led to enhanced monitoring of college athletics betting.

The James Krause MMA Betting Case (2022)

MMA coach James Krause faced sanctions after investigations revealed connections to suspicious betting patterns. While criminal charges weren’t filed, Krause received bans from multiple athletic commissions, demonstrating that administrative sanctions can be imposed even without criminal prosecution.

Protecting Yourself: If You’re Contacted by Investigators

If you’re a fighter, coach, or anyone else contacted by federal investigators regarding this or any sports betting investigation, understanding your rights is crucial.

You Have the Right to Remain Silent

The Fifth Amendment protects you from self-incrimination. You are not required to answer questions from FBI agents or other investigators. Politely declining to speak without an attorney present is not evidence of guilt—it’s a constitutional right.

Do Not Lie to Federal Agents

While you can remain silent, lying to federal investigators is itself a federal crime under 18 U.S.C. § 1001, carrying up to five years in prison. Many people facing investigation make their situation worse by providing false statements. If you choose to speak, tell the truth or say nothing.

Hire Experienced Federal Criminal Defense Counsel Immediately

Federal investigations are complex and unforgiving. The prosecutors handling these cases are experienced attorneys backed by FBI resources. You need equally experienced defense counsel who understands federal criminal procedure, sentencing guidelines, and negotiation strategies.

Do Not Discuss the Investigation

Avoid discussing any investigation with friends, family, or on social media. Prosecutors can subpoena these individuals to testify about your statements. Anything you say can be used against you. Limit all discussions to conversations with your attorney, which are protected by attorney-client privilege.

Preserve Evidence

Do not delete text messages, emails, or other documents. Destruction of evidence can result in additional obstruction of justice charges. Your attorney can advise on proper evidence preservation.

The Broader Impact on Combat Sports

This investigation’s outcome will reverberate throughout mixed martial arts and combat sports generally.

Enhanced Monitoring and Regulation

Expect athletic commissions and promoters to implement stricter integrity monitoring. This might include:

• More sophisticated real-time betting analysis
• Expanded use of integrity services like IC360
• Mandatory reporting requirements for fighters and coaches
• Enhanced background checks for corner personnel
• Restrictions on who can bet on fights

Impact on Legal Sports Betting

Since the Supreme Court’s 2018 decision in Murphy v. NCAA striking down the federal sports betting ban, legal sports wagering has exploded. States generate substantial tax revenue from legal betting. Major integrity scandals threaten this revenue stream and could prompt calls for enhanced federal oversight.

Fighter Awareness and Education

Many fighters, particularly those early in their careers, may not fully understand the legal risks of fight-fixing. Expect the UFC and other promoters to implement mandatory education programs explaining the severe criminal penalties for corruption.

The Stakes Are Enormous

The UFC fight-fixing investigation represents far more than sports controversy—it’s a serious federal criminal matter with potential life-altering consequences for those involved. Federal prosecutors possess powerful legal tools including sports bribery, wire fraud, RICO, and money laundering statutes that carry decades in prison.

If the FBI has indeed flagged over 100 suspicious fights, this investigation could become one of the largest sports corruption prosecutions in American history, rivaling or exceeding past scandals in professional and college sports. The breadth of potential charges and the number of individuals who could face prosecution makes this a critical moment for mixed martial arts.

For fighters, coaches, and others in the sport, the message is clear: any involvement in fight-fixing carries catastrophic legal risk. The rewards from throwing a fight pale in comparison to years in federal prison, massive financial penalties, and permanent destruction of one’s reputation and career.

For those already caught up in this investigation, immediate action is essential. The federal criminal justice system is complex and unforgiving. Early intervention by experienced counsel can mean the difference between decades in prison and a favorable resolution.

Contact Varghese Summersett: Experienced Federal Criminal Defense

If you or someone you know is facing a federal investigation—whether related to sports betting, fraud, conspiracy, or any other federal matter—you need attorneys who understand federal criminal law and have proven experience defending clients in federal court.

At Varghese Summersett, our team includes former prosecutors and experienced federal criminal defense attorneys who have handled complex federal investigations and trials. We understand how federal prosecutors build cases, how to negotiate with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and how to protect our clients’ rights at every stage of the process.

Whether you’ve been contacted by FBI agents, received a grand jury subpoena, or are concerned about potential exposure in a federal investigation, early consultation with experienced counsel is critical. We provide confidential consultations where we can assess your situation and explain your options.

Federal charges are serious. The consequences are severe. But you don’t have to face them alone. Contact Varghese Summersett today to speak with an experienced federal criminal defense attorney who can help protect your rights and your future.

Call us at 817-203-2220 or contact us online for a confidential consultation.

When your freedom is on the line, experience matters. Let Varghese Summersett put our federal criminal defense experience to work for you.