Tae Hyun Bang Sentenced to 10 Months in Prison for UFC Fight Fixing

Tae Hyun Bang, who found Leo Kuntz back at UFC Fight Night 79, has been sentenced to 10 months in prison after being found guilty of fight-fixing. Bang was given money to throw his fight with Kuntz by three brokers for just over $92,000, including MMA …

Tae Hyun Bang, who found Leo Kuntz back at UFC Fight Night 79, has been sentenced to 10 months in prison after being found guilty of fight-fixing. Bang was given money to throw his fight with Kuntz by three brokers for just over $92,000, including MMA fighter Dae Won Kim. During his five-fight UFC career, […]

Shady Business: 10 Fight Fixing Scandals In MMA

From time to time, allegations of fight fixing have reared their ugly head in mixed martial arts (MMA) over the years, but in the vast majority of occasions, it’s been little more than wishful thinking. After all, you only need to look at the medical suspension lists after any major event to see that the […]

The post Shady Business: 10 Fight Fixing Scandals In MMA appeared first on LowKickMMA.com.

From time to time, allegations of fight fixing have reared their ugly head in mixed martial arts (MMA) over the years, but in the vast majority of occasions, it’s been little more than wishful thinking.

After all, you only need to look at the medical suspension lists after any major event to see that the only fixes going on are to the broken bones and other assorted ailments that are part of a full-contact sport that lives up to the mantra of being ‘As Real As It Gets’.

That being said, particularly in the early years of the sport, and more often than not in Japan, there have been serious allegations of fight fixing that go beyond the realms of just baseless speculation.

In this article we’ll home in on 10 instances of such scandals, seeking to avoid guesswork where possible by focusing on firsthand accounts of shameful behind-the-scenes corruption that led to the line between reality and fiction becoming distorted and threatened to tarnish the sport’s credbility.

Ken Shamrock vs. Minoru Suzuki II

In 1995, Ken Shamrock was the ‘King Of Pancrase’ titleholder, but was also about to fight Dan Severn for the UFC 6 superfight championship title.

Rumors suggest that Pancrase’s head honcho’s were concerned that it would reflect badly on their promotion if he lost in the Octagon while still being their champion as so asked him to throw his next fight with Pancrase co-owner Minoru Suzuki.

In the fight at Pancrase: Eye Of The beast 4, Suzuki miraculously escapes a fully extended armbar, gets on top and then submits Shamrock soon after with a kneebar just 2:14 minutes into the fight.

There’s no official proof that the fight was fixed, but when asked point-blank to confirm long-standing rumors that it was a fix during an interview by ugo.com, Shamrock’s non-answer told fans all they needed to know.

”I can’t really talk about those things because of agreements and things that were set down by the organization,” Shamrock stated.

The post Shady Business: 10 Fight Fixing Scandals In MMA appeared first on LowKickMMA.com.

Leo Kuntz on Fight Fixing Fiasco: ‘I Had no Idea What Was Going on’

Leo Kuntz has responded to news of his UFC Fight Night 79 opponent being investigated for fight fixing allegations. While Kuntz was having his hands wrapped on Nov. 28, 2015, he had no idea that a controversy was brewing involving his fight with Tae Hyun Bang. Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) officials suspected something was amiss […]

Leo Kuntz has responded to news of his UFC Fight Night 79 opponent being investigated for fight fixing allegations. While Kuntz was having his hands wrapped on Nov. 28, 2015, he had no idea that a controversy was brewing involving his fight with Tae Hyun Bang. Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) officials suspected something was amiss […]

South Korean Police Investigating Fight Fixing Allegation At UFC Seoul in 2015

The UFC’s trip to Seoul back in 2015, UFC Fight Night 79, has become the center of a fight fixing scandal that may very well be the undoing of one of South Korea’s own UFC fighters. According to reports in South Korean media and picked up on by Bloody Elbow, an unnamed UFC fighter agreed […]

The UFC’s trip to Seoul back in 2015, UFC Fight Night 79, has become the center of a fight fixing scandal that may very well be the undoing of one of South Korea’s own UFC fighters. According to reports in South Korean media and picked up on by Bloody Elbow, an unnamed UFC fighter agreed […]

Authorities Investigating Fight Fixing At Korean UFC Event

The UFC’s first trip to South Korea back in November of 2015 now has a dark cloud hanging above it. According to multiple reports from several respected mainstream Korean news outlets (via Bloody Elbow), a Korean fighter who competed on the card (who is being kept anonymous and being referred to as ‘Fighter A’) agreed

The post Authorities Investigating Fight Fixing At Korean UFC Event appeared first on LowKickMMA.com.

The UFC’s first trip to South Korea back in November of 2015 now has a dark cloud hanging above it.

According to multiple reports from several respected mainstream Korean news outlets (via Bloody Elbow), a Korean fighter who competed on the card (who is being kept anonymous and being referred to as ‘Fighter A’) agreed to throw his fight for 100 million Won (approximately $88,000) in addition to placing a bet of 50 million Won (approximately $44,000) on his opponent.

The fighter in question is described as a 34-year-old local Korean male fighter who won a unanimous decision against an American opponent. All male Korean fighters on the card won their bouts via TKO, with the exception of one – Tae Hyun Bang. Bang also fits the age description at the time of the event.

Despite most outlets attempting to keep the fighter’s identity concealed some Korean news outlets have used images of Bang that have been censored, as well as blurred out images (but still recognizable) of Korean MMA gym Korean Top Team where Bang trains.

Leading up to the bout Bang was a betting favorite over his opponent, Leo Kuntz, who was a slight underdog on the books. In just a short period of time, however, the betting lines changed drastically, making Kuntz a massive favorite over Bang. UFC officials reportedly questioned ‘Fighter A’ about the matter, but he appeared to be insensible to the whole ordeal.

Mandatory Credit: Lili Troncale-USA TODAY Sports

‘Fighter A’ then began to fear repercussions from what he had agreed to do shortly before the bout, and wound up competing to the best of his ability. He went on to win the contest and received numerous threats as a result. Fearing for his safety the fighter in question contacted local authorities and admitted what he had done, prompting an investigation from Korean officials who are attempting to track down all involved in the scheme.

It has yet to be officially confirmed as of this writing that Tae Hyun Bang is the fighter in question, but the evidence against the Korean is overwhelming.

The post Authorities Investigating Fight Fixing At Korean UFC Event appeared first on LowKickMMA.com.

Nick Hein Outlasts Tae Hyun Bang In Germany

A welterweight scrap kicked off the main card of UFC Fight Night 93. Following back to back victories, Nick Hein (14-2, 1 NC) looked to extend his streak to three. Tae Hyun Bang (18-10) had other plans as a win would’ve earned him his second straight victory. In the end, it was “Sergeant” who walked

The post Nick Hein Outlasts Tae Hyun Bang In Germany appeared first on LowKick MMA.

A welterweight scrap kicked off the main card of UFC Fight Night 93. Following back to back victories, Nick Hein (14-2, 1 NC) looked to extend his streak to three. Tae Hyun Bang (18-10) had other plans as a win would’ve earned him his second straight victory.

In the end, it was “Sergeant” who walked out of the Barclaycard Arena in Hamburg, Germany with a win.

The bout was a bit of a feeling out process early on. Bang landed a leg kick about a minute in. Both fighters missed high kicks. Hein landed a left hook. Bang moved forward with strikes. Hein brought his opponent down and was in half guard. “The Supernatural” returned to his feet. Bang missed a hook. Hein had his high kick blocked as the round ended.

Bang landed a body kick early in the second round. Hein grabbed a body lock and looked to bring his opponent to the canvas. Bang was able to break free. A short right hand clipped Hein and had him slightly off balance. “Sergeant” got a quick takedown, but Bang reversed and did a judo throw. Bang connected with a body kick as Hein went for a hook to end the second stanza.

The two were active right away in the final frame. Bang was getting the better of the exchange early. Bang landed a body kick counter. A left hook caught Hein coming in. Time was called to check on a cut on the eye of Bang caused by an unintentional headbutt. The fight resumed quickly. “The Supernatural” and “Sergeant” traded shots. Hein staggered Bang momentarily. Hein ducked under a hook and got a trip briefly, but Bang stood on his feet. A left hand landed for Hein. Bang was countered by a left hand and the final horn sounded.

All three judges gave the fight to Hein.

Final Result: Nick Hein def. Tae Hyun Bang via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-28, 30-27)

The post Nick Hein Outlasts Tae Hyun Bang In Germany appeared first on LowKick MMA.