The UFC has stated that no fighter currently working in any capacity with coach James Krause will be allowed to participate in fights until a formal investigation regarding recent evidence of potential insider betting is completed.
The UFC released a statement on Friday as a result of a series of investigations revolving around Krause and strange betting line movements that occurred during the November fight between Darrick Minner and Shayilan Nuerbanbieke.
The situation began when a considerable amount of late money came in right before the November 5th fight between Minner and Nuerbanbike, growing from -220 to -420. Several sportsbooks and betting services pulled the fight and quickly filed reports of suspicious activity. Krause was immediately the prime suspect since he had already been known for operating a popular Discord channel which provided members with tips on betting. Since the investigation began, the channel has been closed.
The UFC’s statement began, “Following the fight involving Darrick Minner on November 5, 2022, UFC was informed by sources that suspicious betting patterns had been observed on the fight. In the weeks following the fight, UFC has been cooperating with multiple ongoing government investigations into the facts and circumstances surrounding that contest.”
“On November 18, the Nevada State Athletic Commission informed UFC and Minner’s coach, James Krause, that Krause’s license was suspended and would remain so while NSAC conducted an investigation into the matter. UFC has since advised Krause and the respective managers working with impacted fighters, that effective immediately, fighters who choose to continue to be coached by Krause or who continue to train in his gym, will not be permitted to participate in UFC events pending the outcome of aforementioned government investigations.”
As an additional result, Minner was officially released from the UFC and Krause had his cornering license suspended by the Nevada State Athletic Commission, which will remain suspended throughout the investigation pending the results.
As part of their statement the UFC also indicated they had already banned fighters and members of their teams as well as “insiders” from betting on UFC fights.
“Along with the safety and health of its fighters, UFC believes there is no more important component of professional mixed martial arts than the integrity of the sport,” the organization stated. “Weeks prior to the Minner fight, the organization sent formal notification to all fighters and members of their teams that they and certain other defined “insiders” were prohibited from wagering on UFC events.”
“This was an extension of the UFC’s pre-existing (and since updated) fighter Code of Conduct as well as a recognition of various state, federal, and international laws and regulations expressly prohibiting conduct that threatens the integrity of the sport including, but not limited to, insider betting based on non-public information, fight-fixing, and other such misconduct,” the UFC wrote. “UFC will continue to take all necessary and appropriate steps to ensure compliance with and enforcement of its policies and those of the jurisdictions in which it operates.”
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Scott Coker, the president of UFC rival Bellator, also commented on the the situation, stating that he supports the Athletic Commission’s decision to suspend Krause as well as UFC’s call to bar fighters who remain working with him.
“As a lifelong martial artist, integrity and honor have been the foundation upon which I have built my career as a Mixed Martial Arts promoter, and I believe that it is of utmost importance that the integrity of MMA remains unquestioned,” said Coker. “It is my understanding that certain regulatory agencies have taken action that they deem necessary to ensure that any appearance of impropriety is removed from our sport, and I support those actions.”
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