Sportsbooks Refund UFC Fight Bets in Las Vegas Amidst Suspicious Activity
In a surprising turn of events during UFC Vegas 110, Caesars Sportsbook and William Hill sportsbook issued refunds on losing bets tied to a featherweight fight. This decision came after significant shifts in betting lines raised suspicions just before the bout on Saturday night.
Suspicious Betting Activity
Isaac Dulgarian was initially favored at approximately -250 against Yadier del Valle. However, just an hour prior to the fight, his odds dropped dramatically to around -160. This sudden change in betting lines signaled potential concerns about the integrity of the event.
Changes in Prop Bets
In addition to line movements, prop bet odds for a first-round finish also experienced notable fluctuations. The odds fell from +850 to +475, prompting sportsbooks like DraftKings to remove the prop bet entirely, as it does not operate in Nevada.
Fight Outcome
During the fight, Dulgarian endured a first-round submission loss to del Valle, succumbing to a rear-naked choke. UFC analyst and fighter Michael Chiesa criticized Dulgarian’s performance during the ESPN+ broadcast, labeling it as “an F- performance” and described it as “absolute trash.”
Refund Policy Announcement
Following the fight, Caesars Sportsbook sent a tweet from their support handle (@CaesarsHelp) stating that mobile customers who placed losing bets would receive cash credits. This was to be processed within 24 hours for single bets or after the last leg was determined for parlay and similar bets. William Hill echoed this message through their own account (@WilliamHillUS) but advised retail customers to keep their tickets for the time being.
Ongoing Investigation
As this situation unfolds, there have been no additional comments from Caesars Sportsbook. A spokesperson informed the Review-Journal that they would not provide further details at this time. The rapid changes in betting lines and the subsequent refund policies have raised questions about potential irregularities in events leading to the UFC fight.
This remains a developing story. For updates, stay tuned to Emegypt.
