UFC CEO Dana White confirmed during the post-bout press conference that a scheduled lightweight bout between Michael Johnson and Alexander Hernandez was pulled from Saturday’s UFC 324 card due to suspicious betting activity flagged by the organization’s gaming integrity partners.
When asked about the last-minute fight cancellation, White provided a direct explanation: “That’s what it is. Happened again. You know, we got called from you know, the Gaming Integrity Service and I said, ‘I’m not doing this s**t again.’ So, we pulled the fight.”
The abrupt cancellation came after sportsbooks reported unusual betting patterns surrounding the matchup, prompting them to limit wagers and suspend prop bets as a precautionary measure.
White’s reference to “happened again” alludes to previous incidents where betting irregularities have affected UFC events, including the 2022 situation involving Darrick Minner vs. Shayilan Nuerdanbieke and Isaac Dulgarian’s 2025 loss.
However, neither Johnson nor Hernandez has been accused of any wrongdoing in connection with the irregular betting activity. The suspicious patterns could stem from various factors, including minor information leaks, undisclosed injuries, or other circumstances unrelated to fighter misconduct. The UFC works closely with IC360, its integrity partner, to monitor such situations.
When pressed for additional details about what happens next, White indicated that investigations would follow standard protocol. “The FBI is already, you know, deep into all this stuff anyway. So, I’m sure this one will be next,” he said. When asked whether the contenders would be sidelined pending an investigation, White admitted uncertainty about the immediate implications.
The incident overshadowed what was otherwise a successful evening for the promotion, which marked the launch of their new partnership with Paramount Plus. White confirmed that the streaming debut exceeded expectations, with early reports suggesting viewership doubled initial projections.
