In a brand new first, a contracted UFC fighter has been found guilty of trying to fix the outcome of his own fight.
An easy feat for any prize fighter to do, and a scary reality for anyone placing wagers on UFC fights.
News of this situation was made public months ago following Tae Hyun Bang’s fight against Leo Kuntz at UFC Fight Nigh 79.
The UFC fighter has now been sentenced to 10 months in prison for the offense.
MMAJunkie reports:
Former UFC lightweight Tae Hyun Bang has been sentenced to a 10-month prison term after being found guilty of taking bribes in connection with a plan to throw a fight.
Bang (18-10 MMA, 2-3 UFC) was sentenced today in the Seoul Central District Court in South Korea, according to a report from The Korea Herald, for taking bribes to throw his bout with Leo Kuntz at UFC Fight Night 79.
Three “brokers” who set up the fix and gave money to Bang totaling $92,160 USD also were given jail terms for their roles. One of those brokers reportedly was MMA fighter Dae Won Kim.
“The crime of match fixing damages the credibility of sport, and in international matches, it has a bad effect on the country’s credibility as well,” the court said, according to The Korea Herald. “Bang had an obligation to play the game fairly, but he ignored it and took an important role in the scheme. But we did take into consideration that Bang won the bout and returned the money afterwards.”
