- A sudden noticeable shift on the betting lines of Jimmy Flick vs. Charles Johnson fight draws major concern
- “The Brick” addressed the issue and stated that he and his opponent have nothing to do with it
The UFC has been very clear with their stance on not tolerating suspicious betting activities. The company didn’t let the strange activity that took place on the Shayilan Nuerdanbieke vs. Darrick Minner fight slide and now, another alarming activity had just happened on the betting lines for the Jimmy Flick vs. Charles Johnson fight at UFC Vegas 67.
The fighters’ hands are clean
Speaking to Alex Behunin about the issue, Flick let everybody know that he and Johnson are in no way linked or involved in any of the said suspicious betting activities going on. “The Brick” even cited MMA coach James Krause, who was suspended by the UFC following his involvement in the betting controversy in the Nuerdanbieke vs. Minner fight, to stress his point further.
“Apparently, the line has changed. I’m a +500 underdog, which is great, I love that,” Flick said. “I don’t know what people’s conspiracies are or what’s going on, and why we had this jump. But me and the guy I’m fighting are not involved with James Krause, so everybody, we’re good there.”
“But I think it makes sense. I mean, I haven’t fought in two years. I’m a submission guy. Charles is 1-1 in the UFC, very active in the last couple years, and he’s never been finished. So, I think it makes sense, doesn’t bother me none,” Flick added. “I think they’ll slim out a little bit as we get close to fight night.”
Here is @jimmyflick's reaction to the big line movement with his fight https://t.co/yCbHWIG8cb pic.twitter.com/PdGjy33l9y
— Alex Behunin (@AlexBehunin) January 3, 2023
It is indeed suspicious
As posted by James Lynch on Twitter, MMA Investments did a great job spotting the undeniably unusual movement on the Flick vs. Johnson betting lines.
According to the graph, Johnson opened as a small favorite (-134) but his odds took a massive turn and changed to -500 in less than a day. On the other hand, Flick is now a +400 underdog, having originally opened at +114.
From the looks of it, it’s not surprising that many are now concerned as the trajectory of the entire movement resembles that of Nuerdanbieke vs. Minner’s.
Last month, the UFC terminated Minner. NSAC, meanwhile, later extended the suspension of Krause and Minner as the case awaits federal investigation.
