The UFC has acknowledged concerns over the betting integrity of the fight between Darrick Minner and Shayilan Nuerdanbiek over the weekend, confirming that its integrity partner, Don Best Sports, is also looking into the matter.
However, the competition body noted that, whilst investigations are underway, at present there is ‘no reason to believe’ that any unethical practice took place.
Concerns were raised over the weekend as a number of sportsbooks contacted US Integrity after the fight was stopped after just one minute, with Nuerdanbiek winning by TKO.
After suspicious betting patterns were identified, the UFC has been forced to address concerns.
A UFC statement has been shared on Twitter: “Like many professional sports organizations, UFC works with an independent betting integrity service to monitor wagering activity on our events,” the statement read.
“Our betting integrity partner, Don Best Sports, a leading global supplier of real-time betting data for North American sporting events, will conduct a thorough review of the facts and report its findings.
“At this time, we have no reason to believe either of the athletes involved in the bout, or anyone associated with their teams, behaved in an unethical or irresponsible manner.”
Last month, the UFC updated its Athlete Conduct Policy, stipulating that fighters are prohibited from betting on any UFC fight, regardless if they are involved or not, as the organization sought to bolster its betting integrity mechanisms.
Addressing athletes in the updated code, UFC noted: “As you know, the UFC Athlete Conduct Policy requires UFC’s contracted athletes to act in a legal, ethical, and responsible manner and avoid conduct detrimental to the integrity of the UFC organization.
“In light of clear direction that we have received from regulators responsible for the regulated sports betting industry in the US, we are compelled at this time to recognize in the UFC Athlete Conduct Policy certain restrictions relating to wagering by our athletes, members of their teams and certain others.”
