Korean police are investigating allegation of fight fixing in accordance with UFC Fight Night 79 bout between Tae Hyun Bang and Leo Kuntz.
According to reports from media outlets in South Korea, the Korean fighter in Bang agreed to throw the fight for 100 Million Won ($88,000 USA) and instead of throwing the bout, wound up winning a decision. Reports also say that Bang placed a bet of 50 Million Won ($44,000 USA) on the opponent, which was Kuntz in this fight.
UFC official started questioning both fighters before they stepped into the Octagon after the odds for their fight started changing drastically over the course of the day. Bang, once he was questioned by officials from the UFC, said he was oblivious to the changing odds and then decided to fight normally due to a fear of repercussions.
As was mentioned before, Bang won the fight and then fearing for his safety due to receiving numerous threats, contacted authorities. It was during the time that he contacted authorities that Bang admitted that he agreed to throw the fight.
The admittance to throwing the fight is what has now lead the police to tracking down everybody who may have been involved in the situation.
Kuntz, upon being contacted by MMA Fighting about the accusations, said the following:
"I wasn’t aware at the time that most of the times, when the betting lines change, it’s because a huge bet came in. Even after the UFC came and talked to me… they didn’t even grow on me very much because the bet was put down on me. They were pretty certain I had nothing to do with it. To be honest, at the time, they talked to me when I was having my hands wrapped. We’re talking about an hour or two before I’m about to make my walk out. At that point, I’m not really thinking about anything. I’m just thinking hey, this is good for me just because it’s getting my name out there, even though something controversial. It’s still good for me as well."
The American fighter in Kuntz has yet to be contacted by the UFC or anybody investigating the case, but he currently competes in Road FC, which is based on South Korea.
Update: South Korean prosecutors have now indicted Tae Hyun Bang for his alleged involvement in fight fixing, this is according to the Korean Herald. Fellow MMA fighter Kim Dae-Won was also indictd on charges for helping in the alleged fight fixing scheme, as he was the won who persuaded Bang to take part in fight fixing.
