The start of the UFC in 2026 brought some familiar issues, with a lightweight fight between Alexander Hernandez and Michael Johnson at UFC 324 being canceled due to suspected “betting irregularities.”
A week after the event, Hernandez has now released a statement on the matter. This comes after days of rumors suggesting he entered the fight injured, and that information may have been leaked.
Although he did not directly discuss these claims, Hernandez was clear that he did nothing untoward.
“I would never disgrace myself or this sport by not giving my all in the competition. I have been through a lot in my career to get to the promising position that I am in. I don’t take that lightly. I don’t take my work or the work of others lightly,” Hernandez said in a statement on social media on Saturday. “It’s extremely disheartening to have a fight forfeited after a full camp and weight cut. Especially due to things beyond my control. I understand the FBI is doing their job. I understand the UFC is doing their job. I’m trying to get back to doing my job as quickly as possible. I hope this matter is resolved quickly. I’m in the prime of my career. I don’t want my time stolen.”
Dana White suggested during his post-fight press conference at UFC 324 that the FBI would likely investigate the matter. “The FBI is already deep into this stuff anyway. I’m sure this will be next,” White said at the time. Hernandez’s words seem to confirm that.
Hernandez has not been accused of actual wrongdoing. Fighters often enter fights with nagging injuries, and the “betting irregularities” can be something as simple as reporting an injury making the rounds without Hernandez’s knowledge.
However, the lightweight trains at Factory X have been linked to another gambling scandal. In November 2025, Isaac Dulgarian’s submission loss to Yadier del Valle raised immediate suspicions. According to UFC officials, the promotion was notified of betting irregularities prior to the fight and approached Dulgarian, who denied anything was wrong.
He was later submitted suspiciously easily by del Valle, despite entering the fight as a heavy favorite. Dulgarian was later released from the promotion and given the boot by Factory X.
However, the gym isn’t the only one that has come under scrutiny in recent years. After a loss to Shayilan Nuerdanbieke in November 2022, Darrick Minner and his coach, UFC fighter and Glory MMA and Fitness owner James Krause, came under suspicion of irregular betting. Minner went down early in the fight and it was later revealed that he went into it with an undisclosed injury.
Multiple bodies investigated, with it later revealed that Krause had worked for an offshore sportsbook while also running his own Discord betting channel. UFC flyweight Jeff Molina was also involved in the scheme, and all three were later dropped by the UFC.
Minner has since returned to competition, while neither Krause nor Molina have competed or coached since.
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