A trader on the prediction market platform Polymarket capitalized on a UFC scoring error, turning a $500 bet into more than $252,000 in profit. For the second time in two weeks, UFC announcer Bruce Buffer incorrectly declared the winner of a fight, causing odds on Polymarket to swing wildly. The trader identified the mistake by reviewing the official scorecard before the correction was announced.
A Polymarket trader secured a profit exceeding $252,000 following the UFC’s second scoring error within two weeks. UFC announcer Bruce Buffer misread a fight’s outcome again, initially announcing Chris Padilla as the winner against MarQuel Mederos at UFC 327.
After a commercial break, commentator Jon Anik stated the result was a majority draw. This correction caused Polymarket odds, which had assigned Padilla a 99.9% chance of winning, to swing to 50% for each fighter.
The trader, whose profile links to an account on X, had bet on Mederos when his odds were 0.1%. The user explained they noticed the error by checking the fight’s official scorecard and calculating the points.
Journalist Dustin Gourker questioned on X why “the truth machine [was] telling us the wrong result.” This incident illustrates how broadcast mistakes can significantly influence market odds alongside athlete performance.
Both Polymarket and rival Kalshi have indicated they are refining systems to detect suspicious transactions. U.S. lawmakers have argued these platforms require tighter restrictions to prevent manipulation.
Last month, Polymarket established a partnership with Major League Baseball aimed at protecting game integrity. The UFC clinched a partnership with Polymarket in November, following a similar NHL agreement.
“By bringing prediction markets to the broadcast and arena, we’re giving fans a new way to be part of the action,” Polymarket CEO Shayne Coplan said. He added this allows fans to watch “the world’s expectations evolve with every round,” not just outcomes.
