Alexander Hernandez says feds asked if he planned to throw UFC fight

Lightweight Alexander Hernandez has recounted an unusual federal investigation into his canceled UFC 324 bout against Michael Johnson in January. The fight was abruptly scrapped after suspicious betting-line movement suggested potential fight-fixing—odds shifted dramatically in Johnson's favor just a day before the scheduled matchup, despite Hernandez opening as a heavy favorite.

Hernandez later revealed that federal agents questioned him about whether he planned to throw the fight. During the roughly hour-long interrogation, the agents asked if he possessed any "incriminating apps," a question that initially confused him. At their suggestion, Hernandez downloaded the Signal messaging app, which contained only a bot message and a conversation in which he had attempted to purchase marijuana while in Brazil—an exchange he acknowledged was embarrassing but wholly unrelated to fight-fixing or insider trading.

The fighter described the episode as frustrating and absurd, noting that the agents appeared to be grasping at straws. He dismissed any connection between the marijuana discussion and allegations of match manipulation. Hernandez has since moved forward with his career, though he suffered a decision loss to Rafa Garcia in April that snapped a four-fight winning streak. He returns to action at UFC 332 on October 3 in Salt Lake City, where he faces former lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos.