UFC Vegas 64 Fight Investigated After Suspicious Betting Activity

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Darrick Minner and Shayilan Nuerdanbieke’s main card fight at UFC Vegas 64 is being investigated following reports of suspicious betting activity.
This past weekend, Nuerdanbieke extended his win streak to three with the first finish of his career inside the Octagon. He did so by dispatching Minner in just over a minute, with an apparent knee injury leading to the quick TKO.

But during the preliminary card for Saturday’s event, attention began to turn towards some significant line movement for the main card featherweight bout.
Prior to the card, Minner was +190 underdog. But in quick time, he dramatically dropped to +330. In the same vein, his Chinese counterpart moved from -220 to a -420 favorite. The hours before the matchup also saw bettors flock to back Nuerdanbieke via first-round knockout.
With the bout quickly ending after Minner’s knee gave way, suspicion grew, with many suggesting that the pre-existing injury was more than likely leaked to gamblers ahead of time.
Others, meanwhile, made more serious accusations, claiming that Minner intentionally threw the fight. According to ESPN, a source in Minner’s camp has confirmed that the 32-year-old was indeed carrying a knee issue into the event.
Betting Integrity Firm Makes Note Of UFC Vegas 64 Bout
With sportsbooks growing suspicious over the late activity on the bout, which even led some to suspend betting on it, a U.S.-based integrity firm was contacted. The firm conducted an analysis of the increased and specific wagering, informing state gaming regulators and other sportsbook clients to the unusual activity.
With the line movements only becoming steeper as the fight drew nearer, U.S. Integrity is conducting an ongoing investigation into the matter. The firm’s president, Matthew Holt, told ESPN that attempts were made to prevent as many suspicious bets going through as possible once it became clear that something wasn’t right.
“Our goal as always is to notify the industry of any potential nefarious, abnormal or suspicious activity as soon as possible, so they can take action as quickly as possible,” Holt said. “In this case, we hope that by sending a couple hours before the fight started, we may have helped prevent some more suspicious bets from getting through.”
If any action is to be taken officially, U.S. Integrity will need to present any findings to regulators or other relevant authorities, as it doesn’t boast enforcement power of its own.

Shayilan went from -225 (69%) to -410 (80.4%) within a matter of hours before the fightMinner shelled up and quit almost immediately after showing signs of a knee injuryUFC steam is sometimes incorrect, but you never see something like this. Injury clearly leaked pic.twitter.com/UVA15PetTY— Sean Zerillo (@SeanZerillo) November 6, 2022

While the UFC and James Krause, the manager of Minner who’s previously come under scrutiny for a betting scheme, are yet to make any comments, Minner’s manager simply told ESPN that he’s “unaware of anything like this.”
Given the UFC’s recent crackdown on fighter betting as it looks to enhance the sport’s integrity, it’s likely any incriminating conclusion will be taken seriously.
MMA News will provide updates to this developing story as additional information becomes available.

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Darrick Minner and Shayilan Nuerdanbieke’s main card fight at UFC Vegas 64 is being investigated following reports of suspicious betting activity.


This past weekend, Nuerdanbieke extended his win streak to three with the first finish of his career inside the Octagon. He did so by dispatching Minner in just over a minute, with an apparent knee injury leading to the quick TKO.



But during the preliminary card for Saturday’s event, attention began to turn towards some significant line movement for the main card featherweight bout.


Prior to the card, Minner was +190 underdog. But in quick time, he dramatically dropped to +330. In the same vein, his Chinese counterpart moved from -220 to a -420 favorite. The hours before the matchup also saw bettors flock to back Nuerdanbieke via first-round knockout.


With the bout quickly ending after Minner’s knee gave way, suspicion grew, with many suggesting that the pre-existing injury was more than likely leaked to gamblers ahead of time.


Others, meanwhile, made more serious accusations, claiming that Minner intentionally threw the fight. According to ESPN, a source in Minner’s camp has confirmed that the 32-year-old was indeed carrying a knee issue into the event.


Betting Integrity Firm Makes Note Of UFC Vegas 64 Bout
With sportsbooks growing suspicious over the late activity on the bout, which even led some to suspend betting on it, a U.S.-based integrity firm was contacted. The firm conducted an analysis of the increased and specific wagering, informing state gaming regulators and other sportsbook clients to the unusual activity.


With the line movements only becoming steeper as the fight drew nearer, U.S. Integrity is conducting an ongoing investigation into the matter. The firm’s president, Matthew Holt, told ESPN that attempts were made to prevent as many suspicious bets going through as possible once it became clear that something wasn’t right.


“Our goal as always is to notify the industry of any potential nefarious, abnormal or suspicious activity as soon as possible, so they can take action as quickly as possible,” Holt said. “In this case, we hope that by sending a couple hours before the fight started, we may have helped prevent some more suspicious bets from getting through.”


If any action is to be taken officially, U.S. Integrity will need to present any findings to regulators or other relevant authorities, as it doesn’t boast enforcement power of its own.



Shayilan went from -225 (69%) to -410 (80.4%) within a matter of hours before the fight

Minner shelled up and quit almost immediately after showing signs of a knee injury

UFC steam is sometimes incorrect, but you never see something like this. Injury clearly leaked pic.twitter.com/UVA15PetTY

— Sean Zerillo (@SeanZerillo) November 6, 2022[/quote]

While the UFC and James Krause, the manager of Minner who’s previously come under scrutiny for a betting scheme, are yet to make any comments, Minner’s manager simply told ESPN that he’s “unaware of anything like this.”


Given the UFC’s recent crackdown on fighter betting as it looks to enhance the sport’s integrity, it’s likely any incriminating conclusion will be taken seriously.


MMA News will provide updates to this developing story as additional information becomes available.




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