I’m Not Doing This Again: Dana White on UFC Betting Drama
Posted on: January 25, 2026, 09:14h.
Last updated on: January 25, 2026, 10:28h.
- Justin Gaethje wins unanimous decision in epic lightweight title bout against Paddy Pimblett
- UFC Dana White confirms cancellation of one fight was due to irregular sports betting issues
- Gaethje now set up for fight against Ilia Topuria
The dust had barely settled on UFC 324 last night in Las Vegas, marked by a Justin Gaethje-Paddy Pimblett interim lightweight title fight which could very well go down as a Top 5 fight of the year when we are all looking back at 2026 next December. However, post-fight it was revealed UFC was dealing with another gambling problem.
UFC CEO Dana White revealed at the post-fight news conference that the Alexander Hernandez versus Michael Johnson lightweight bout had been cancelled because of suspicious betting activity. The UFC had announced just hours before the match that the matchup was cancelled but didn’t give a reason.
You gave to give the company credit, though. This is the second time within a few months that Integrity Compliance 360, the global technology and advisory firm specializing in integrity monitoring, regulatory compliance and risk management for sports betting and igaming operators, has raised red flags for the UFC about irregular betting, and they acted fast.
Pimblett’s Gameplan Questioned
Last November UFC released fighter Isaac Dulgarian after sportsbooks flagged abnormal betting activity ahead of his featherweight fight against Yadier del Valle at a UFC Fight Night event in Las Vegas.
“Yeah, it happened again,” White told reporters afterwards. “That’s what it is. We got a call from the gaming integrity service and I said, I’m not doing this shit again. So pulled the fight.
“The FBI is already deep into this stuff, so I am sure this one will be next.”
No Word Yet on Fighters’ Suspension Over Gambling Issue
White said he didn’t know if the two fighters in question would be suspended.
Too bad because overall it was great debut for the UFC on Paramount+, the first event to be broadcast there as part of its new $7.7 billion, 7-year partnership. Attendance at T-Mobile Arena was over 19,400, gate was $11 million.
White told the media a few hours ago that Paramount subscribers’ numbers around the fight will be released “Tuesday or Wednesday”, but that “this exceeded expectations by double … beyond belief for Paramount.”
UFC Debut on Paramount +
The Gaethje-Pimblett fight was a five-round back-and-forth brawl, with Pimblett’s face bloodied and battered, absorbing blow after blow, especially from the 37-year-old Gaethje’s overhead rights.
“I didn’t know Paddy Pimblett had a chin like that until tonight,” said White afterwards. “He took some big shots from a guy who knocks everybody out. He was the favourite tonight. That’s what f&#@&@ him. Every other (fight) he was the underdog and everyone thinks he was going to lose. I don’t think his gameplan was the greatest. But he showed he’s tough, durable, especially against Gaethje, and you are eating those punches from him.”
White added maybe Pimblett should have looked at “taking him down” and submitting Gaethje after three rounds of going toe-to-toe. Then fight stats bear that out.
Focus Now on Topuria Return
White added that now that UFC 324 is in the books, the focus Monday turns to the UFC White House event June 14.
Gaethje is now lined to fight UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria, who has stepped away from UFC temporarily, but has said he expects to fight again in six months, if White decide to make that one happen.
“Ilia hits like a truck,” he said. “So does Gaethje. If Gaethje prepares properly it should be a fun one.”
Interesting question as well post-fight about a delay between the live action to the streaming on Paramount and if that will impact live betting.
“I’d never thought about that,” White said. “It’s a great question. If you’re on a delay, depending on how bad the delay is, you probably wouldn’t even be allowed to live bet, by the time you wanted to bet on something it would probably be over. But even the delay would have to be 15-20 seconds or something. It’s not like there’s some huge delay in the broadcast.”
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