Dana White says the integrity of UFC is robust amid Dulgarian controversy

• UFC is in damage control following the Dulgarian controversy, which has exposed omissions in the promotion’s approach to integrity
• Dana White, the UFC’s boss, has wasted no time and has already been working with law enforcement, including the FBI, and offering his side of the story
• The UFC was indeed warned about aberrant gambling behavior on Dulgarian, and took action early – but missed something in the end

As the UFC finds itself in another controversy, its top honcho, Dana White, has assured anyone who may be listening or watching that the promotion does everything in its power to ensure the fairness of each event, including the now notorious UFC Vegas 110.

UFC in damage control following Dulgarian controversy

Offering various media appearances and engaging in the customary damage control, White said that he wasn’t sure if Isaac Dulgarian, the fighter who is alleged to have thrown a fight to influence betting odds last week, had done anything wrong.

"It doesn’t look good," White acquiesced. White insisted that despite the controversy, the integrity of the UFC was robust and the promotion did everything in its power to ensure that this remained so.

Commenting on the latest scandal, White said that he had already contacted the FBI, which previously busted an illegal betting ring that saw NBA insiders share information with what is supposedly the Mafia, among other nefarious activities.

White said that IC360, the promotion’s integrity partner, had tipped off the UFC about the suspicious betting activity, which elicited a swift response. The UFC summoned Dulgarian and asked him a series of questions, including whether he had fallen out with the wrong people or whether he owed someone money.

Dulgarian stood his ground and assured that there was nothing to worry about on his part, and that he was going to fight to the best of his ability. The UFC cleared him of the fight as a result, making a judgment call.

Dulgarian even boasted that he would "kill that guy," referring to his opponent for the fateful night, Yadier del Valle, but ended up defeated by stoppage, his career first early into the bout, ruffling the feathers of experienced analysts and fans.

Ever the card player, White missed Dulgarian’s alleged foul play

White did mention that there was no current proof to suggest that Dulgarian had indeed committed anything wrong and that it was possible, however unlikely, for the fighter to underperform at the same time that a massive swing in betting activity had his underdog opponent pegged as a winner.

White, who has been known for his gambling proclivities and strong blackjack and baccarat hands, may be in damage control, but he has a point in arguing that the UFC is not going to turn a blind eye to potential match-fixing and manipulation that could undermine its revenue streams.

White is also keen to quash any suspicions about the UFC lacking integrity, as the promotion is set to host a fight at the White House next year- another controversy.

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