Thread by @sisu_sanity

A UFC partner that specializes in online sports betting and 'fantasy sports' with mob ties?

Shocker.

Let's take a look at how unsurprising that would be.

UFC partner DraftKings accused of ties to black market gaming, money laundering & organized crime bloodyelbow.com/2021/6/18/2253…

"...it is becoming clear that getting into business with largely unknown international betting companies could be a dangerous gamble."

Legalized Sports Gambling May Bring An Unwanted Guest To The Market
forbes.com/sites/ikebrann…

"When you fully examine the foundation the Fertittas' business empire is built on, you have to wonder how it could ever be possible to completely shake the Mafia influence on the family and its business..."

The Real Story Behind the UFC's Royal Family
web.archive.org/web/2012101819…

"...if Bulger’s crew hadn’t forced White out of Boston, who knows what would have happened? Perhaps he wouldn’t have joined forces with the Fertitta brothers to buy the UFC & developed it..."

Dana White & the mafia: How the mob changed his life
theversed.com/10524/dana-whi…

"Karim Zidan delves into the OFAC’s sanctions on Kadydrov’s combat sports entities & the significant impact it will have on a range of stakeholders within the sport."

The Dictator’s Dilemma: How U.S. sanctions will impact Ramzan Kadyrov’s MMA aspirations
bloodyelbow.com/2020/12/16/221…

"Polish UFC heavyweight Adam Wieczorek was among a group of 10 people arrested amid an investigation into organized crime, robbery, assault & drug trafficking in Chorzow."

UFC fighter arrested amid probe into organized crime, kidnapping & drug trafficking
rt.com/sport/450234-u…

"Tim Bissell examines the underworld figures linked to two time UFC champion Conor McGregor."

Conor and the Cartel: A look at the shady figures linked to UFC megastar Conor McGregor
bloodyelbow.com/2018/9/26/1787…

"But it was another image which captured the inimitable strangeness of McGregor’s life. It was taken after the MMA fighter had been seated to watch the World Cup final, at which he was Putin’s guest."

Conor McGregor ends up as Vladimir Putin’s plaything
irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/i…

"The UFC champion was one of several notable athletes who vouched for oligarch Ziyavudin Magomedov, who was arrested on embezzlement & organized crime charges."

UFC champ Khabib Nurmagomedov vouches for oligarch arrested on organized crime charges
bloodyelbow.com/2018/5/29/1740…

"Karim Zidan delves into the interesting relationship between UFC champion Conor McGregor and the infamous Irish drug gang known as the Kinahan Cartel."

Feature: The UFC champ and the Dublin gangsters
bloodyelbow.com/2017/11/30/167…

"Part Vladimir Putin, part Sonny Corleone, part Dana White, part Slobodan Milosevic, Kadyrov rules his tiny republic with an iron fist inside a four-ounce glove."

Ramzan Kadyrov: The Most Dangerous Man in MMA Is Not a Fighter
bleacherreport.com/articles/27222…

"It was an orgy of excess, fueled by mafia money and legal steroids, a spectacle that was almost obscene in its grandeur."

Sex, Drugs, Gangsters and MMA: Remembering Pride, UFC's Wild Predecessor
bleacherreport.com/articles/27189…

"Former UFC featherweight fighter Levan Makashvili was among 33 individuals arrested in connection with a NY-based Russian crime organization..."

Ex-UFC fighter Levan Makashvili, 32 others arrested in connection with Russian crime organization
mmamania.com/2017/6/9/15771…

Well, you get the idea.

Chael Sonnen tells insane story featuring Eddie Alvarez and the Russian mafia
sportsjoe.ie/mma/chael-sonn…