UFC 324 has taken its second hit in as many days.
The promotion announced that the lightweight preliminary bout between Alexander Hernandez and Michael Johnson has been pulled from Saturday’s fight card at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. No reason was given for the the cancellation.
While specifics were not revealed, certain sportsbooks were flagging “irregular betting patterns” for the matchup — including BetOnline, which stated limits were being lowered ahead of the slated bout.
“Due to some irregular betting patterns, we will be keeping the limits lower than usual on tonight’s Michael Johnson vs Alex Hernandez bout,” Dave Mason of BetOnline wrote on Twitter. ”Additionally, there will not be props on this fight. Important: This is a standard measure, not a judgement on the fight’s integrity, possible injury, etc. However, to protect both the bettors and the house, we will err on the side of caution.“
Isaac Dulgarian was recently released from the promotion after getting stopped in the first round of a fight this past November that saw unusual betting line movement prior to the opening bell. UFC CEO Dana White said the FBI was contacted immediately following the submission loss to Yadier del Valle at UFC Vegas 110.
Dulgarian remains on suspension from the Nevada Athletic Commission while an investigation is ongoing.
UFC 324 moves ahead with 11 bouts after losing the Hernandez vs. Johnson bout, and the bantamweight contest between Cameron Smotherman and Ricky Turcios after Smotherman collapsed on stage at Friday’s official weigh-ins after making weight.
The UFC’s first event of the Paramount era is headlined by an interim lightweight title fight between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett.
