UFC Gambling Scandal

[KarateKen]

Allegations that at least one fighter was betting on himself to lose, then lost on purpose. Dana White has said the FBI is looking into it.  Two weeks ago, we saw the arrest of a current NBA player and coach for an alleged gambling scandal, and now this.  Bad timing for the UFC. 

Any thoughts? 

 

[sensei8]

If I may borrow two Forest Gump quotes…

“Stupid is as stupid does."

AND…

“That's all I have to say about that.”

[bushido_man96]

Crazy that someone would train that hard to throw a fight.

[Patrick]

The deluge of gambling ads across sporting events is a plague. I really dislike it, and while there are always going to be avenues to gamble, the accessibility of it is only begging for scandals. Having a toddler who watches sports, I am already getting ready for the eventual conversations about what it is, why he shouldn't do it, etc. 

[bushido_man96]

17 hours ago, Patrick said:

The deluge of gambling ads across sporting events is a plague. I really dislike it, and while there are always going to be avenues to gamble, the accessibility of it is only begging for scandals. Having a toddler who watches sports, I am already getting ready for the eventual conversations about what it is, why he shouldn't do it, etc. 

I agree, the accessibility to gambling now is just crazy.  Every sports podcast and show I watch or listen to has some kind of multi-leg parlay to offer you, and the online sports books are sponsors of every show.  I can't believe how much the increase must be with the advent of this online accessibility.  It is no surprise that some athletes will get caught up in it as well.

[KarateKen]

On 11/9/2025 at 2:29 PM, bushido_man96 said:

Crazy that someone would train that hard to throw a fight.

Two things that come to mind when something like this happens.  One, could he be making more money throwing the fight and if he were to win it? And two, is there anyone else involved, such as the mob.  It's possible that someone has a figurative gun to his head and it runs a lot deeper than one fighter making a bad decision. 

[KarateKen]

21 hours ago, Patrick said:

The deluge of gambling ads across sporting events is a plague. I really dislike it, and while there are always going to be avenues to gamble, the accessibility of it is only begging for scandals. Having a toddler who watches sports, I am already getting ready for the eventual conversations about what it is, why he shouldn't do it, etc. 

Agree with this and @bushido_man96 response, it has gotten out of control.  For me it is also damaging my ability to enjoy sports.  It has all shifted to the gambling and corporate greed now.  We are bombarded with sports betting ads, even ESPN and Fanatics have an online sports book.  In the NHL the Vegas Golden Knights wear a patch on their jersey for a Las Vegas sportsbook.  It is everywhere.  Furthermore, now anytime someone's team loses, anything strange happens, or a call is missed, the fans of that team claim the game is rigged. 

I wonder if we will see some cutback on this now that we have several scandals in the news at once, but I don't expect much of that.  There is too much money in it. 

[DarthPenguin]

On 11/11/2025 at 10:05 PM, Patrick said:

The deluge of gambling ads across sporting events is a plague. I really dislike it, and while there are always going to be avenues to gamble, the accessibility of it is only begging for scandals. Having a toddler who watches sports, I am already getting ready for the eventual conversations about what it is, why he shouldn't do it, etc. 

What is strange to me is there is a lot of gambling advertising / sponsorship etc. around football / soccer here in the UK, but typically there are not that many scandals around it. You get the odd one come to light occasionally, the player gets banned / jailed and thats it. I wonder what it is that causes these things to be worse in the US. Is puzzling tbh

[Patrick]

If you are getting the odd one that comes to light occasionally, it's probably not all that different. But it's only going to get worse globally. I also don't know if you have gambling the same way we have... like you can gamble on literally every single action. You can place hundreds (thousands?) of bets on a single game if you so desire. 

On 11/12/2025 at 11:57 AM, KarateKen said:

There is too much money in it. 

Sad to say, I agree here. They really rush in and created this massive economy to where so much of the money coming into sports leagues, broadcasters, podcasts, etc. is in some way tied to gambling. It is going to be very challenging to reduce it. But I hope it happens.

[DarthPenguin]

On 11/15/2025 at 3:43 AM, Patrick said:

If you are getting the odd one that comes to light occasionally, it's probably not all that different. But it's only going to get worse globally. I also don't know if you have gambling the same way we have... like you can gamble on literally every single action. You can place hundreds (thousands?) of bets on a single game if you so desire. 

 

Actually it is the same here - can bet on almost anything: time for first yellow card, player who gets it, number of throw ins, time for throw in's etc. etc.