UFC fighter charged with match-fixing: report

Lightweight fighter Bang Tae-hyun has been indicted on match-fixing charges following an investigation by South Korean officials, reports the Korea Herald.

Bang, 34, is alleged to have accepted 100 million won ($112,000) to lose to Leo Kuntz at UFC Fight Night 79 in November 2015, which was the first held UFC event in South Korea.

But in a bizarre twist to the tale, Bang apparently decided against taking the bribe and fought a clean bout against his American opponent.

Bang won the three-round fight in a split decision.

It is the first time in the UFC's 24-year history that one of its fighter has been charged with match-fixing.

Kuntz was quoted in April, around the time the investigation opened, as saying UFC officials spotted betting irregularities on the day of the fight and warned both fighters about the situation.

It was after those discussions that Bang reportedly changed his mind.

Prosecutors have also charged brokers who were involved, with former MMA fighter Kim Dae-won among those indicted.

Kim was reportedly the person who convinced Bang to throw his fight with Kuntz.

Bang was favoured to win the fight before the late swing in the American's favour.

Bang has since had one more fight under the UFC banner - a loss to Nick Hein by unanimous decision at Fight Night 93 in September 2016.