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(AsiaGameHub) –   Recent scandals within the UFC have led to a drop in betting activity for the sport, per a report by InGame.

This past January, UFC CEO Dana White called off a lightweight fight between Alexander Hernandez and Michael Johnson in Las Vegas following the detection of suspicious betting behavior by integrity monitors. 

“We received a call from the gaming integrity service, and I told them, ‘I’m not going through this crap again,’ so we scrapped the fight,” White stated at the time.

Isaac Dulgarian’s November fight against Yadier del Valle triggered comparable warning signs, yet the match proceeded as planned even though there were exceptionally large bets placed on del Valle, the significant underdog. Dulgarian was defeated via submission in the opening round, and the UFC released him while a federal investigation was ongoing.

“They’re gonna end up in f****** federal prison,” White declared. “Federal f****** prison. If you’re that f****** dumb, and someone else wants to try it, be my guest. There’s no amount of money worth ruining your life and landing in jail—especially federal prison.”

Thomas Gable, Director of Borgata Race & Sportsbook, thinks these scandals have played a role in affecting UFC betting handle at his Atlantic City location.

“We’ve noticed a recent reduction in UFC betting handle and activity,” Gable shared. “It’s probably a mix of several factors, with integrity concerns being one of them.”

He added, “Our regular and knowledgeable UFC bettors are still highly engaged, but we’re seeing fewer casual bettors.”

Although casual gamblers tend to place smaller bets on UFC, they contribute to a casino’s profits by playing table games, purchasing food and drinks, and staying in hotel accommodations.  

Additionally, the UFC launched its new seven-year partnership with Paramount+ in January, having been on ESPN platforms since 2019. 

“The switch to Paramount likely had an impact because when you watched ESPN, you were constantly exposed to a lot of UFC ads and promotions,” Gable noted.

Looking Ahead to the UFC Event at the White House

As UFC Freedom 250 is scheduled for June 14 at the White House, the sport is expected to experience an increase in positive media attention and betting handle.

Dan Miller, a 27-year-old Las Vegas local and die-hard UFC fan, is exactly the type of audience the sport targets.

“The White House fight card is gaining traction as a major event,” Miller said. “If it meets expectations, I’m excited to see what the next decade holds. The issue is, no matter how much they hype a fight, it’s the fighters who have to deliver exciting matches and compelling television.”

As for Gable, he balances these possible benefits against the consequences of recent scandals and any that might emerge down the line.

“If more reports of irregularities—especially those that confirm wrongdoing—keep emerging, it will keep hurting the UFC’s betting handle,” Gable explained. “At the end of the day, anyone who bets on a sport wants to be sure the competition is fair.”