After further investigation into the UFC Vegas 64 betting scandal, Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has decided to ban all fighters trained or coached by James Krause from competing for the promotion.
This all stemmed from the betting controversy surrounding UFC Vegas 64 last month after the late money came in on Shayilan Nuerdanbieke in his clash with Darrick Minner, who is coached by Krause. Minner suffered a leg injury early in the first round, which sparked speculation the illness was disclosed ahead of the fight, leading to a cash flow in an early Nuerdanbieke finish. It was sketchy to say the least, especially since Krause has publicly stated that he makes more money on MMA betting than actual coaching.
A month later and the blood continues to flow. UFC fighters can no longer bet on fights, two Canadian provinces have banned UFC betting at all levels, and now Krause has his license suspended in the state of Nevada. To make matters worse, UFC officials released an official statement on Friday that will bar any fighter trained or even coached by Krause from competing inside the Octagon.
The official press release is as follows:
Following the fight involving Darrick Minner on November 5, 2022, the UFC was informed by sources that suspicious betting patterns were observed on the fight. In the weeks following the fight, the UFC cooperated with several ongoing government investigations into the facts and circumstances surrounding that contest. On November 18, the Nevada State Athletic Commission notified the UFC and Minner’s trainer James Krause that Krause’s license was suspended and would remain suspended while NSAC investigates the matter. The UFC has since informed Krause and the respective managers working with the affected fighters, that effective immediately, fighters who choose to continue to be trained by Krause or who continue to train at his gym, will not will not be permitted to participate in UFC events pending the outcome of the aforementioned government investigations. Additionally, the UFC released Darrick Minner from the organization.
Besides the safety and health of its fighters, the UFC believes that there is no more important element of professional mixed martial arts than the integrity of the sport. Weeks before Minner’s fight, the organization sent an official notification to all fighters and members of their teams that they and certain other defined “insiders” were banned from betting on UFC events. It was an extension of the UFC’s pre-existing (and since updated) Fighter Code of Conduct as well as an acknowledgment 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 similar misconduct. The 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.
Krause, 36, has been widely regarded as one of MMA’s best trainers in recent years. The former UFC lightweight and welterweight contender seemed to have a long future as a coach in the sport, but things are starting to turn sour. The investigation is ongoing although it is unlikely that we will see Krause coaching a UFC fight in the near future.
Minner, who is currently under investigation by NSAC for his role in the UFC Vegas 64 betting scandal, also received his UFC walking papers on Friday. The submission specialist produced a 2-4 record after joining the promotion in 2020, losing his last three trips to the Octagon.
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