UFC lightweight contender Alexander Hernandez has publicly addressed the abrupt cancellation of his scheduled fight against Michael Johnson, which was pulled from the UFC 324 card following alerts of suspicious betting activity. The 33-year-old fighter, who was on a four-fight winning streak, saw his bout forfeited at the last minute after integrity services flagged dramatic shifts in wagering lines that heavily favoured his opponent.
UFC President Confirms Immediate Action
UFC president Dana White confirmed the promotion's decision to scrap the contest, stating, 'We got called from the gaming integrity service, and I said I'm not doing this s*** again. We pulled the fight.' This move underscores the organisation's heightened focus on maintaining competitive integrity, particularly in light of recent wagering irregularities within the sport.
Hernandez's Emotional Social Media Statement
In a detailed social media post, Hernandez vehemently denied any involvement in the suspicious activity, expressing his frustration and commitment to the sport. 'I would never dishonor myself or this sport by not giving my absolute all in competition,' he wrote. 'I have been thru a great deal in my career to be in the auspicious position I am in. I do not take that lightly.'
The San Antonio native, who holds a professional record of 15-7-0 and rose to fame with a 42-second knockout of Beneil Dariush in his UFC debut, described the cancellation as 'extraordinarily disheartening' after a full training camp and weight cut. He acknowledged the roles of the FBI and UFC in the investigation but emphasised his desire to return to competition swiftly, stating, 'I am in the prime of my career. I do not want my time stolen.'
Investigation and Broader Context
The incident has triggered an investigation by the FBI and the UFC's internal integrity partners, reflecting the serious federal oversight of sports gambling in professional mixed martial arts. This follows a recent crackdown by the UFC, including the November release of fighter Isaac Dulgarian after a flagged loss, and stems from the 2022 investigation into James Krause that led to stricter athlete policies.
Current UFC regulations strictly prohibit fighters, coaches, or close associates from wagering on any promotional bouts to prevent conflicts of interest. Integrity services continuously monitor global sportsbooks for sudden odds shifts that deviate from standard betting patterns or late injury news.
Impact on Hernandez's Career Momentum
The cancellation halts Hernandez's momentum in the highly competitive lightweight division, where he was eyeing a potential top-fifteen ranking. His intended opponent, Michael Johnson, is a seasoned veteran with notable wins over Dustin Poirier and former champion Tony Ferguson, making this a high-stakes matchup for both athletes.
Hernandez remains eligible to train, but his future scheduling is uncertain pending the gaming integrity service's review of the UFC 324 data. UFC officials have not yet announced whether the fight with Johnson will be rescheduled or if both fighters will be matched against new opponents in upcoming events.
