UFC Pulls Hernandez-Johnson Fight Over Betting Concerns at UFC 324

UFC officials canceled a lightweight fight between Alexander Hernandez and Michael Johnson just hours before UFC 324 started on Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The reason was suspicious betting activity that raised red flags with the promotion's gaming partners. Dana White, the UFC CEO, confirmed the decision during his post-event news conference.

Background

UFC 324 marked the organization's first big event of 2026, held at the T-Mobile Arena with a main card headlined by a lightweight title clash. The card had already faced issues earlier in the week. A women's bantamweight title fight between champion Kayla Harrison and Amanda Nunes was postponed because Harrison needed neck surgery. Then, on Friday, a bantamweight bout between Cameron Smotherman and Ricky Turcios was scrapped after Smotherman collapsed right after weighing in.

The Hernandez-Johnson fight was set for the early prelims. Both fighters had been on winning streaks. Johnson, at 39 years old, had picked up three straight victories. Hernandez, 33, was riding a four-fight win streak. Rumors about unusual betting started spreading on Friday. People noticed heavy money coming in on Johnson, who had been a big underdog at first. The odds shifted close to even as bets poured in.

Sportsbooks reacted quickly. Some lowered their betting limits on the fight or took it off their menus altogether. One betting site said they were keeping limits low and skipping prop bets to protect bettors and the house. They called it a standard step for irregular patterns, not a direct call on the fight's fairness.

This is not the first time the UFC has dealt with betting problems. Back in November 2025, a featherweight fight between Isaac Dulgarian and Yadier del Valle drew attention. Dulgarian was a heavy favorite, but money flooded in on del Valle. Del Valle won by submission early, and it looked off to many. A betting watchdog group, Integrity Compliance 360, tipped off the UFC about the line movement. But the fight went ahead. Dulgarian got released from the UFC soon after and is now suspended by the Nevada Athletic Commission while investigations continue.

That case led to FBI involvement. White spoke with FBI leaders, and agents visited UFC headquarters. He made it clear the promotion takes these matters seriously. Another incident happened in 2023 with Darrick Minner, a fighter coached by James Krause. Heavy betting hit that fight, and Minner lost fast in the first round. It turned out he had an injury going in. Krause got suspended from cornering fighters.

Key Details

The cancellation came after UFC got a call from a gaming integrity service. White said the alert came in close to showtime. Reports suggest someone from Hernandez's camp may have leaked info about a possible injury. Social media posts hinted at Hernandez being 'compromised,' with picks on Johnson to win by knockout. Screenshots showed parlays built around that outcome.

White did not hold back in his post-fight comments.

"It happened again," White said. "We got called from the gaming integrity service, and I said, 'I'm not doing this s— again.' So, we pulled the fight."

He stressed this was the third public case drawing federal eyes. The FBI is still looking into the Dulgarian matter and will check this one too. No word yet on what happens to Hernandez or Johnson. White said decisions on their futures are pending.

Fighters' Records and Recent Form

Alexander Hernandez enters with an 18-8 record. He has shown power in his striking and grappling, but losses have come against top competition. His four-fight win streak included decisions and finishes against mid-level opponents. Michael Johnson, with a 24-19 mark, is a veteran of the lightweight division. Known for his boxing and experience, he has faced legends like Khabib Nurmagomedov and Justin Gaethje. His recent wins came by knockout and submission.

The fight was expected to be a solid prelim matchup, testing Johnson's durability against Hernandez's aggression. Fans were looking forward to it until the news broke Saturday afternoon. UFC updated the card, dropping it to 11 fights, but the main event went on as planned.

What This Means

Suspicious betting hits the UFC at a sensitive time. Legal sports betting is huge now, with billions wagered yearly on fights. Partnerships with betting companies bring in big money, but they also mean close monitoring. Groups like Integrity Compliance 360 watch for odd patterns, like sudden shifts in odds or heavy action on one side.

When leaks about injuries spread, it can look like inside info is being used to cash bets. In this case, the Instagram posts fueled talk of a camp member tipping off bettors. If true, it points to poor discipline in a fighter's circle. The UFC has rules against sharing fight details, and violations can lead to bans or worse.

For fighters, the message is clear. White has warned before that anyone caught fixing or aiding fixes faces prison time. The Dulgarian case showed quick action: release and suspension. Hernandez and Johnson now wait to see if they face similar steps. No charges have been filed yet, but the FBI's role means it could drag on.

The promotion keeps an eye on every fight. White pushed back on claims of widespread issues, calling them overblown. Still, three public cases in recent years show betting risks are real. UFC works with authorities and watchdogs to stay ahead.

Fans feel the impact too. Canceled fights disrupt cards and bets. Some lost wagers when books pulled the fight. Others question if more fixes slip through. UFC 324 went on, drawing a crowd to T-Mobile Arena, but the shadow of this cancellation lingers.

Broader changes may come. States like Nevada regulate combat sports tightly. The athletic commission could tighten rules on camps and betting. Sportsbooks might get stricter on UFC lines. For now, the focus stays on cleaning up. White's quick pull shows the UFC wants to act fast this time, learning from past mistakes.

Hernandez and Johnson sit out for now. Their paths back depend on what probes uncover. Johnson, with his experience, might rebound if cleared. Hernandez, younger, has more to lose if linked to the leak. The lightweight division stays stacked, with plenty of other bouts ahead.