- UFC pulled the Hernandez-Johnson bout from UFC 324 just hours before the event after getting alerts about unusual wagering activity on the fight.
- This is now the third time federal investigators have looked into sketchy betting around UFC events, with previous cases involving Isaac Dulgarian and Darrick Minner.
- The last-minute cancellation shows the organization is trying to handle integrity problems before fights happen as sports betting continues growing across the country.
LAS VEGAS – The UFC pulled a scheduled lightweight bout between Alexander Hernandez and Michael Johnson just hours before UFC 324 on Saturday night, marking the second betting-related cancellation in less than three months for the organization.
Following the fight, UFC President Dana White affirmed that the promotion was notified by the Gaming Integrity Service of abnormal wagering trends. At his post-fight press conference, White informed media that the incident had recurred and that the organization had chosen to take the fight off the card instead of letting it go forward.
Offshore bookmakers reportedly saw significant line movement on Saturday afternoon, with Johnson’s odds fluctuating between +132 and -102. In response, a number of UFC betting sites reduced or eliminated the matchup. Prior to the cancellation, an Instagram post appeared that said Hernandez was compromised, potentially pointing to a hidden ailment that insiders were speculating about.
A Growing Pattern
In recent years, suspicious betting behavior around UFC events has been the subject of three significant federal investigations. After fighter Isaac Dulgarian fell as a strong favorite to Yadier del Valle in November 2025 due to odd betting patterns, the organization came under harsh scrutiny. Before Nevada sportsbooks started removing the fight from their boards, Dulgarian’s odds were as low as -130 due to extreme one-sided betting.
White later expressed sorrow for the UFC’s decision to let that fight go forward. After Dulgarian’s contract was terminated, the FBI launched an investigation.
Combat sports organizations now face additional difficulties as legal sports betting spreads throughout the US. Monitoring betting integrity has been more difficult as most states now allow wagering through mobile apps.
Due to a similar betting problem, Darrick Minner and his coach James Krause were both suspended in 2022. After learning that they had been disclosing insider information that individuals were utilizing to place bets, the Nevada Athletic Commission banned both of them for three years.
Compared to the Dulgarian case, White’s decision to call off Hernandez-Johnson’s fight implies a more proactive strategy. While fans were let down by the cancellation, the decision shows the UFC is taking integrity concerns more seriously by acting before bouts take place.
The status of the Hernandez-Johnson matchup for a future card remains up in the air as investigators look into what happened Saturday night. Bettors should expect tighter monitoring as the organization works to prevent future irregularities.
