MMA News

Tag: Harry Mac

  • ‘We Have Absolutely Nothing To Hide’ – Factory X Refutes Report Of FBI Raid In Wake Of UFC Gambling Scandal

    ‘We Have Absolutely Nothing To Hide’ – Factory X Refutes Report Of FBI Raid In Wake Of UFC Gambling Scandal

    The Factory X gym is fighting back against reports from MMA journalist and New York-based promoter Harry Mac that an FBI raid took place on its premises.

    Mac took to social media during the afternoon of November 6 that FBI agents made their way to Factory X, the Marc Montoya-led gym based in Englewood, Colorado.

    Mac claimed that interviews with members of Factory X were conducted and phones were confiscated; however, no arrests were made.

    Factory X quickly dismissed claims on social media, quoting Mac’s report and claiming innocence, stating Mac’s report was inaccurate.

    “This is 100 percent false,” the post stated. “However, the FBI is welcome to stop in anytime. We have absolutely nothing to hide.”

    Report Of FBI Agents At Factory X, Gym Disputes Claim

    Factory X posted a longer statement on their official Instagram account in response to the allegation from Mac.

    “There is a false report circulating that Factory X has been raided by the FBI following the events of last weekend’s UFC event. This is not true,” the statement read. “The allegations that our gym had or has any sort of involvement in fight-fixing last weekend – or ever – is both devastating and heartbreaking. This is a family-owned gym that has been in good standing in our community for over 15 years.

    “We unequivocally stand by our innocence and at this point would welcome a visit from the FBI as we have absolutely nothing to hide. We understand and accept it is human nature to form opinions from the outside looking in given the available information. We have no doubt the truth will prevail, justice will be served and our good name will be restored. Until then, we welcome your prayers for our strength and peace.”

    The MMA world has been engulfed in a betting scandal since a controversial fight last weekend at UFC Vegas 110. Isaac Dulgarian entered his fight with Yadier Del Valle as a massive favorite; however, his line shrunk by nearly 100 as bets on a first-round finish by Del Valle began to increase in a quick span hours before the fight. Del Valle ended up submitting Dulgarian in the first.

    Dulgarian was released by the UFC about 24 hours after the fight. Montoya would later tell Ariel Helwani that Dulgarian is no longer a part of the team.

    Mac alleges that the FBI is investigating over 100 UFC fights that have been flagged for unusual betting activity. He would later follow up that the UFC Vegas 110 main event between Steve Garcia and David Onama, as well as the Charles Radtke vs. Daniel Frunza fight that took place at the event, are also being investigated.

    Ariel Helwani was unable to confirm Mac’s report completely; however, he did note that this “was not an isolated incident.” And since then, a few fighters have come forward about being approached about potentially taking dives.

    UFC President and CEO Dana White refuted Mac’s claims and said the promotion worked with the FBI quickly after previously questioning Dulgarian and his lawyer — and then seeing the fight played out as it did.

    Mac has also alleged that fights refereed by Jason Herzog are being audited; however, Herzog is disputing this as well.

  • “Not An Isolated Incident” – Ariel Helwani Alleges UFC Fighters Being Offered Money To Throw Fights, Harry Mac Teases New Information

    “Not An Isolated Incident” – Ariel Helwani Alleges UFC Fighters Being Offered Money To Throw Fights, Harry Mac Teases New Information

    After initial bombshell reports from Harry Mac, an MMA journalist and New York-based promoter, Ariel Helwani of Uncrowned acknowledged Mac’s reporting and added his own insight, knowledge, and details on the UFC’s betting controversy.

    In the hours following the much controversial Isaac Dulgarian vs. Yadier Del Valle fight at UFC Vegas 110 on November 1, Mac posted to social media with claims that the UFC was made aware by the FBI of the significant line movement that prompted several sportsbooks to close bets on the fight in the hours leading up to it. He claimed, however, that the UFC was willing to allow the fight to go on.

    On the November 3 edition of The Ariel Helwani Show, Helwani seemed to confirm his understanding is the same, alleging the UFC felt that, despite the line movement, the fight presented no danger of being fixed. In fact, in conversations with those close to Dulgarian, Helwani says they were just as shocked by the poor performance of Dulgarian in the fight.

    “UFC was made aware of this, and my understanding is there were conversations with Dulgarian and his team about this activity, and questioning him, ‘What is going on?’” Helwani said. “And, multiple times, he said that, according to my sources, that he was good to go. That there was nothing of this sort happening, and there was nothing to worry about, essentially.”

    Ariel Helwani Discusses Massive Issue UFC Is Facing Following UFC Vegas 110 Gambling Controversy

    Helwani added that he doesn’t believe the UFC had any involvement in the foul play of the odds; however, he feels their decision to not pull the fight after being notified of the line movement has led them to more controversy than they could have faced originally.

    Mac followed up his first claim by adding a bigger allegation — stating that over 100 fights in the UFC have been flagged for suspicious line movement.

    While Helwani did not confirm a number of fights, he did claim that this fight is “not an isolated incident” and alleges that more fighters have been offered to throw fights previously.

    “My understanding is this is on the FBI’s radar,” Helwani said. “How deep of an investigation is unclear at this time; this is all very new. But, yes, this is accurate.

    “My understanding is that this is not an isolated incident. And what I mean by that is I have talked to multiple people who have either experienced, or know of others who have experienced, situations where they have been approached about their willingness to do something like this…’Are you interested in throwing a fight for X amount of dollars?’

    Helwani followed up by comparing this incident to the Darrick Minner vs. Shayilan Nuerdanbieke fight from almost exactly three years ago — a fight that resulted in James Krause being exiled from the MMA community. Coincidentally, Dulgarian is a former trainee of Krause’s.

    Helwani claimed that this situation could get massive and sport a black eye not just in the UFC, but in the whole sport of MMA — exasperated by not only the simultaneous gambling scandal going on in the NBA, but also by a seemingly increased number of controversial referee and judging actions and decisions over this past year.

    “This is a massive issue for the UFC, and when you consider — now I haven’t been told this part I’m about to say — but when you consider the questionable refereeing as of late, you can’t help but let your mind go there as well,” Helwani said. “Because there is no other possible explanation for some of the wacky stuff we’ve seen as of late. And it’s easy to do.”

    On a related note, another one of Mac’s allegations is that an audit is being placed on fights refereed by Jason Herzog, sparking a bit of a back-and-forth beef on X (formerly Twitter) between the two.

    In the last couple of hours prior to press time, Mac is alleging new information that will worsen this story — potentially involving a notable MMA manager.

    While Helwani could not verify any more of Mac’s information, he gave his own opinion on the reason behind all this. Helwani theorizes fighters lower on the card and not making a lot of money are being offered “quick fixes” to get them needed cash.

    “I believe what is happening here is people are preying on lower-level fighters, who don’t make a lot of money, who are in tough spots, who are fighting in the major leagues, and they’re offering them a quick fix…” Helwani said. “How prevalent is this? I can’t tell you. But I’ve now heard it in multiple occasions in my conversations over the past 24+ hours.”

    Dulgarian was easily submitted by Del Valle — a fight that saw Dulgarian move from a -250 favorite to a -166 in only a few hours’ time, as well as large bets coming in on a prop bet of Del Valle via first-round finish. Some sportsbooks have since offered refunds to bettors due to the controversial nature of the fight.

    Dulgarian’s UFC tenure ended on November 2, released by the promotion just one day after the controversial fight. He went 3-2 in the Octagon.

    The UFC recently released a statement, claiming it is taking the allegations surrounding this fight very seriously.

  • Allegation: Over 100 UFC Fights Flagged By FBI, Potential Audit Sought For Fights Refereed By Jason Herzog

    Allegation: Over 100 UFC Fights Flagged By FBI, Potential Audit Sought For Fights Refereed By Jason Herzog

    An already underwhelming UFC Vegas 110 card has come under additional fire following fight fixing allegations surrounding the main card fight between Isaac Dulgarian and Yadier Del Valle. And now, if an allegation is true, things might be getting even more drastic.

    MMA journalist Harry Mac posted several allegations to X (formerly Twitter). One of these alleges that the FBI informed the UFC of the Dulgarian vs. Del Valle fight being flagged and closed to bets by sportsbooks; however, the UFC allowed the fight to go on.

    Additionally, Mac claims that over 100 additional fights, including another two from UFC Vegas 110, were supposedly flagged by the FBI due to unusual betting patterns. Moreover, Mac claims that there is a possibility that fights refereed by Jason Herzog are being sought after by federal officials for an audit.

    MMA Journalist Alleges More Than 100 UFC Fights Flagged By FBI

    It should be noted that none of Mac’s claims have been verified by other sources. However, several sportsbooks, including Caesars, William Hill, and DraftKings all provided refunds to bettors following the line movement and potential violation seen for the Dulgarian vs. Del Valle fight.

    Reports noted that Dulgarian entered the fight as a -250 favorite, but the odds shifted so much so that he was just a -166 in a short time. Additionally, a lot of money had been placed on the Del Valle via first-round finish prop bet.

    Del Valle completely dominated the fight, easily taking Dulgarian down before scoring a first-round submission. Dulgarian’s performance was criticized after the fight by several members of the MMA community.

    These allegations come nearly three years to the day of the infamous Darrick Minner vs. Shayilan Nuerdanbieke that resulted in James Krause being blackballed from MMA. It should be noted that Dulgarian has had a previous association with Krause, having previously trained at Glory MMA. The UFC subsequently also tightened gambling rules in the immediate aftermath, forbidding fighters, coaches, managers, and any affiliated members from betting on any UFC fight.

    The news also comes as the mainstream sports world is bearing witness to the NBA and its own gambling scandal.