Tag: James Krause

James Krause, Darrick Minner suspensions extended by Nevada Athletic Commission

The Nevada Athletic Commission on Wednesday agreed to extend the suspensions of former UFC fighters James Krause and Darrick Minner.

The Nevada Athletic Commission on Wednesday agreed to extend the suspensions of former UFC fighters [autotag]James Krause[/autotag] and [autotag]Darrick Minner[/autotag] while an investigation continues.

The official reason for their suspensions in November, which did not have time limits assigned to them, is for failure to disclose an injury to the commission. But there’s also the matter of Minner’s November fight against Shayilan Nuerdanbieke under federal investigation for suspicious betting activity. Krause is Minner’s coach and one of his cornermen.

Nevada deputy attorney general Joel Bekker on Wednesday alluded to the federal probe into the fight and said further sanctions against Krause and Minner could come as an eventual result of that investigation.

After the UFC learned of abnormal betting activity in first-round TKO Minner’s loss to Nuerdanbieke at UFC Fight Night 214 in Las Vegas, the promotion ultimately released Minner. Krause already was retired, but with his cornering license suspended by the commission, it effectively was a UFC ban unless he was licensed again.

But earlier this month, the UFC went one step further and announced any fighter who trains at Krause’s Glory MMA gym near Kansas City and any fighter who continues to be coached by him will not be part of the UFC.

At UFC 282 this past Saturday, UFC president Dana White said the fight is being investigated by the FBI.

Abnormal line activity was picked up hours before the fight. Minner quickly went down with an injury in the first round of the contest, which led many to think he was injured entering the fight.

The UFC in October sent communication to fighters and managers reminding them of the UFC’s Athlete Conduct Policy, which prohibits fighters from betting on any UFC fight, and that it applied to any people peripheral to the fighters and organization.

In the internal memo announcing Minner’s release, UFC chief business officer Hunter Campbell said “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 Nevada commission extended Krause and Minner’s suspensions unanimously while the investigation is ongoing, and ahead of any potential hearing.

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Alberta lifts ban on UFC betting with James Krause under investigation

Alberta had banned betting on UFC over integrity concerns.

After a week-long ban, UFC betting in the Canadian province Alberta is permitted again, Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis announced Friday.

AGLC reversed course after retired fighter and current UFC coach James Krause’s license was suspended by the Nevada State Athletic Commission. On Dec. 2, AGLC had announced that wagers on UFC were no longer allowed to be offered or accepted due to potential risks of wagering integrity. That same day, UFC announced that Krause would not be able to participate in UFC events pending the outcome of an investigation.

The suspensions of Krause, his managers and fighters are the reason why AGLC lifted its ban on betting.

AGLC’s ban had come the same week as a ban in Ontario on UFC betting.

That ban has not been lifted, though the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario reportedly said it’s encouraged by the recent developments.

Suspicious betting on a fight between Darrick Minner and Shayilan Nuerdanbieke on Nov. 5 triggered the investigation into Krause, who coaches Minner.

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Sean Strickland wants James Krause exiled from UFC: ‘They should close down his gym’ if guilty in betting scandal

Sean Strickland doesn’t think James Krause should get any leeway if investigators find him guilty of impropriety with UFC betting.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Sean Strickland[/autotag] doesn’t think [autotag]James Krause[/autotag] should get an inch of leeway if an ongoing investigation proves him guilty of impropriety with MMA betting.

Strickland, a UFC middleweight contender who is never hesitant to speak his mind, admits he doesn’t know all the finer details of the situation involving Krause. However, he knows enough to recognize the GLORY MMA head coach is in some serious hot water.

After a bout earlier this year involving one of Krause’s fighters, Darrick Minner, came under the microscope due to heavy betting line movement followed by a quick and one-sided defeat, an investigation was launched into the situation.

Although it’s still continuing to unfold, the developments have put Krause in a concerning light. For him personally, Krause is not allowed at UFC events and the promotion has banned anyone who trains with him or fights out of his gym from competing inside the octagon until the situation is resolved.

On a grander scale, the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Alberta are currently not accepting bets on any UFC fights at all. The story continues to spiral, and although Krause hasn’t been publicly proven guilty of anything, Strickland thinks if the worst-case scenario comes to fruition, aggressive punishment must be dished out.

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“I don’t know what the f*ck happened with Krause, I don’t even f*cking know Krause – but if there is any fight throwing bullsh*t – f*ck Krause,” Strickland told MMA Junkie. “The f*cking guy should never be allowed in the UFC and they should close down his gym. Now, if it’s all bullsh*t and it’s just some guys being assholes, then, you know, move on, let the guy have a life.

“But if what they’re saying is true and he was throwing fights and changing fights, f*cking give that guy the boot. He don’t belong here.”

MMA is not unfamiliar with controversies – both in and out of the cage – but the story around Krause has the potential to be detrimental to the sport as a whole.

Strickland knows it’s hard to put a stop to everything, though, and said it’s just a reality.

“There’s so much shady sh*t going on,” Strickland said. “Look at the USADA ‘exempt pool.’ There’s so much shady sh*t going on. But it is what it is. That’s f*cking life. If there’s a way to cheat the system, guys are going to do it.”

Strickland returns to action in the UFC Fight Night 216 main event on Dec. 17 when he takes on Jared Cannonier in a key middleweight bout at the UFC Apex. The card streams on ESPN+.

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Video: What the UFC betting scandal could mean for the sport of MMA

Our “Spinning Back Clique” discusses the ongoing betting investigation involving UFC and James Krause.

One of the biggest stories of the year in the world of MMA is the betting investigation involving the UFC and fighter-turned-coach [autotag]James Krause[/autotag].

After a 13-fight career with the promotion, Krause focused his attention on coaching, and quickly became one of the best in the game. However, his name became the center of attention of a massive scandal when abnormal betting activity was uncovered for one of his fighter’s bouts in November.

The initial ramifications of the ongoing investigation have been significant.  Gaming regulators in Canada have stopped taking betting action on UFC fights, the UFC itself has banned Krause and his fighters, and other promotions are keeping their distance from the coach and his stable.

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An issue this complex involves all aspects of the fight game, including Krause’s fighters who are now forced to change camps in preparation for upcoming bouts.

Our “Spinning Back Clique” panel of Nolan King, Danny Segura and Brian “Goze” Garcia discuss the ordeal with host “Gorgeous” George Garcia. You can watch their discussion in the video above.

“Spinning Back Clique” is released each Monday LIVE on MMA Junkie’s YouTube channel.

Spinning Back Clique: James Krause betting scandal, UFC Orlando, Nate Diaz-Jake Paul, more

Join us for this week’s live stream of “Spinning Back Clique” looking at the biggest news and topics in MMA.

Check out this week’s “Spinning Back Clique,” MMA Junkie’s weekly live show that takes a spin through the biggest topics in mixed martial arts. This week’s panel of Brian “Goze” Garcia, Nolan King and Danny Segura will join host “Gorgeous” George Garcia live at noon ET (9 a.m. PT) to discuss and debate:

  • UFC on ESPN 42 in Orlando, Fla., featured nine stoppages in 14 fights and a main event that had people talking about a potential Fight of the Year. With a couple days to reflect, was [autotag]Stephen Thompson[/autotag]’s TKO win over [autotag]Kevin Holland[/autotag] in the main event really that level of greatness? And what are our other takeaways from a memorable event?
  • The you-know-what continues to hit the proverbial fan in the MMA betting scandal involving former UFC standout [autotag]James Krause[/autotag]. The UFC now has said anyone who continues to train with Krause or at his gym can consider themselves gone from the UFC while government investigations are going on. What could the potential fallout be from all this down the road?
  • [autotag]Nate Diaz[/autotag] officially is out from his UFC contract and a free agent. We used to get excited thinking about potential Diaz fights outside the UFC. Now that we’re here, are we amped up about, say, a Diaz boxing match against [autotag]Jake Paul[/autotag]?
  • UFC bantamweight champion [autotag]Aljamain Sterling[/autotag] said on his podcast that former two-division champ and Olympic gold medalist [autotag]Henry Cejudo[/autotag] will be his next title defense, likely in March. Cejudo is coming out of retirement and straight into a title shot, if that’s the case. Is that right? And what do we think about [autotag]Sean O’Malley[/autotag]’s status in the division now?
  • Bellator continues its bantamweight grand prix this week with the semifinals: interim champ [autotag]Raufeon Stots[/autotag] takes on [autotag]Danny Sabatello[/autotag] and [autotag]Patchy Mix[/autotag] meets [autotag]Magomed Magomedov[/autotag]. The Stots-Sabatello fight comes with a particular amount of hype and beef between the two. Who are we picking to reach the final, and what are our thoughts in general about Bellator’s regular grand prix tournaments?

“Spinning Back Clique” is released each Monday LIVE on MMA Junkie’s YouTube channel. You can watch this week’s episode in the video above.

‘Waiting for justice’: Fighters react to UFC ban, NSAC suspension of James Krause

Check out the reaction to the UFC prohibiting James Krause and the fighters he trains from the promotion.

The UFC has taken a firm stance in the [autotag]James Krause[/autotag] betting scandal.

On Friday, the promotion issued a statement to all of its fighters and their managers stating “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 the aforementioned government investigations.”

Krause is currently at the center of an ongoing betting investigation after abnormal activity was discovered before his fighter Darrick Minner faced Shayilan Nuerdanbike at UFC Fight Night 214. The Nevada State Athletic Commission has suspended Krause’s license amid the investigation.

In the memo, the UFC also announced Minner was released from the promotion.

Check out how fighters reacted to the news below.

UFC prohibits fighters trained by James Krause from competition amid betting investigations

UFC has issued a memo prohibiting fighters from competition if they are trained by James Krause.

Fighters training under [autotag]James Krause[/autotag] will have to find a new team if they wish to continue to compete in the UFC.

The Las-Vegas based promotion will not allow athletes to step into the octagon if trained by Krause. UFC chief business officer Hunter Campbell announced the news to the roster on Friday evening.

“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 the aforementioned government investigations,” Campbell wrote in a memo.

The ban of any fighter trained by Krause comes in the wake of ongoing investigations on potential insider betting and suspicious line movements surrounding a November bout between [autotag]Darrick Minner[/autotag] and [autotag]Shayilan Nuerdanbieke[/autotag] at UFC Fight Night 214. 

Abnormal line activity was picked up hours before the fight, and Minner, who’s coached by Krause, quickly went down with an injury in the first round of the contest, which led many to believe he was injured entering the fight.

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In the memo from Campbell, it was also revealed that Krause’s cornering license has been “suspended and would remain so while NSAC (Nevada State Athletic Commission) conducted an investigation into the matter.”

The UFC also announced that Minner has been released from the promotion.

Below is the full official statement of the UFC on Krause:

“As per my communication to all athletes and mangers on October 17, 2022, the UFC Athlete Conduct Policy expressly prohibits UFC athletes from placing any wagers (directly or through a third party) on any UFC match, including placing wagers on themselves,” Campbell said in a written memo. “These same prohibitions against wagering also apply to an athlete’s coaches, managers, handlers, athletic trainers, and other individuals affiliated with the athletes or with UFC.

“This communication was an extension of 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.

Following a November 5 bout involving Darrick Minner, 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 the aforementioned government investigations.

Further, UFC has released Darrick Minner from the organization. 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. 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.We appreciate your dedication to our sport and your efforts to ensure its integrity. If you have any questions about the UFC Athlete Conduct Policy, you may contact me.Please click here to review the full code of conduct, including prohibition on wagering.”

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Alberta becomes second Canadian province to ban UFC betting amid concerns of impropriety

Alberta has become the second Canadian province to prohibit UFC betting amid concerns of impropriety and insider betting.

Fewer people will now be eligible to bet on UFC fights.

The Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) announce on Friday they’ve banned the wagering on UFC fights, making it the second province in Canada to halt UFC gambling. The news was first reported by TSN.

The ban in Alberta comes just one day after the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario prohibited the betting on UFC fights in the wake of potential insider betting and suspicious line movements surrounding a recent UFC bout.

“As of Dec. 1, AGLC stopped offering and accepting wagers on UFC events due to possible risks of wagering integrity,” Lynden McBeth, senior communications officer for AGLC told TSN. “Previously placed UFC wagers on PlayAlberta.ca have been voided and the stake returned to the player.

“AGLC will continue to monitor standards implemented by UFC before reinstating betting options on Play Alberta. We are continuing to monitor the situation. Once we are confident that UFC’s regulator body is effectively protecting fighters, fans and bettors, AGLC will give every consideration to reinstating betting markets on PlayAlberta.ca.”

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In early November, a featherweight bout at UFC Fight Night 214 between [autotag]Darrick Minner[/autotag] and [autotag]Shayilan Nuerdanbieke[/autotag] saw abnormal line activity hours before the fight. And just seconds into the contest, Minner went down with an injury, which led many to believe he was injured entering the fight.

Minner’s head coach, [autotag]James Krause[/autotag] – who has publicly talked about making a big percentage of his income on betting in fights, was disallowed by the UFC from cornering one of his fighters, Miles Johns, at a subsequent event on Nov. 19.

The Nevada Athletic Commission said last month that an investigation is ongoing and is expected to be on the body’s Dec. 14 meeting agenda.

According to ESPN’s Marc Raimondi, U.S. Integrity, a Las Vegas-based integrity firm, is also investigating the Minner-Nuerdanbieke fight. Additionally, the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement is not allowing wagers to be placed on fights Krause is associated with.

The UFC said it is looking into the matter with betting integrity partner Don Best Sports. Neither Minner nor Krause have publicly commented on the matter at this time.

In October, the UFC updated its athlete code of conduct, prohibiting athletes, coaches, and close associates from wagering on fights.

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Ontario gaming commission bans betting on UFC fights amid concerns of impropriety

As investigations continue into a UFC fight flagged for suspicious betting activity, Ontario’s gaming commission has made up its mind.

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has banned gambling on UFC fights in the aftermath of potential insider betting and suspicious line movements surrounding a recent bout.

On Thursday, the AGCO ordered gaming operators within its jurisdiction to stop offering and accepting wagers placed on UFC fights, effectively immediately.

“In recent weeks, the AGCO has learned of publicized alleged incidents, including possible betting by UFC insiders, as well as reports of suspicious betting patterns in other jurisdictions,” an AGCO statement read. “Therefore, the AGCO is now taking this step in the public interest. AGCO has indicated to operators that, once the necessary remedial steps have been taken, they may provide information demonstrating that UFC bets or betting products meet the Registrar’s Standards.”

The AGCO added that the decision comes because “the UFC does not prohibit all insiders from betting on UFC events, which could include an athlete’s coaches, managers, handlers, athletic trainers, medical professionals, or other persons with access to non-public information.”

While this is contrary to a UFC athlete policy implemented in October in which the promotion banned athletes, coaches, and close associates from wagering on fights, a Nov. 5 bout is under investigation for suspicious betting activity.

A featherweight bout at UFC Fight Night 214 between [autotag]Darrick Minner[/autotag] and [autotag]Shayilan Nuerdanbieke[/autotag] saw wild line activity in the hours before the fight. Seconds in, Minner went down with an injury, which led many to believe he was injured entering the fight.

Minner’s head coach, [autotag]James Krause[/autotag] of Glory MMA and Fitness, was disallowed by the UFC from cornering one of his fighters, Miles Johns, at an event Nov. 19. The Nevada Athletic Commission said last month that an investigation is ongoing and is expected to be on the body’s Dec. 14 meeting agenda.

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According to ESPN’s Marc Raimondi, U.S. Integrity, a Las Vegas-based integrity firm, is also investigating the Minner-Nuerdanbieke fight. Additionally, the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement is not allowing wagers to be placed on fights Krause is associated with.

The UFC said it is looking into the matter with betting integrity partner Don Best Sports. Neither Minner nor Krause have publicly commented on the matter at this time.

Read the full AGCO statement below:

“In order to protect the betting public, effective immediately, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) is requiring all registered casino, lottery and igaming operators that offer sport and event betting products in Ontario to stop offering and accepting wagers on Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) events due to concerns about non-compliance with AGCO’s betting integrity requirements.

“The Registrar’s Standards include rules to safeguard against odds manipulation, match-fixing and other sports betting integrity issues. Operators must specifically ensure that:

  • For sporting events being bet on, the event must be effectively supervised by a sport governing body which must, at minimum, prescribe final rules and enforce codes of conduct that include prohibitions on betting by insiders; and
  • There are integrity safeguards in place which are sufficient to mitigate the risk of match-fixing, cheat-at-play, and other illicit activity that might influence the outcome of bet upon events.

“Contrary to the Registrar’s Standards, the UFC does not prohibit all insiders from betting on UFC events, which could include an athlete’s coaches, managers, handlers, athletic trainers, medical professionals, or other persons with access to non-public information.

“In recent weeks, the AGCO has learned of publicized alleged incidents, including possible betting by UFC insiders, as well as reports of suspicious betting patterns in other jurisdictions.

“Therefore, the AGCO is now taking this step in the public interest. AGCO has indicated to operators that, once the necessary remedial steps have been taken, they may provide information demonstrating that UFC bets or betting products meet the Registrar’s Standards.”

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Miles Johns: James Krause being banned from my corner is ‘a rug being pulled out from under your feet’

“I wasn’t worried about the details in that moment, it’s just a rug being pulled out from under your feet.”

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Miles Johns[/autotag] spoke to the media after his UFC Fight Night 215 win.

Johns (13-2 MMA, 4-2 UFC) answered questions from MMA Junkie and other media members after defeating Vince Morales (11-7 MMA, 3-5 UFC) by unanimous decision on why his coach [autotag]James Krause[/autotag] was pulled from his corner, who he wants next, and much more.

“I’m not really sure the details about what exactly happened,” Johns told reporters, including MMA Junkie. “They just called him last night and said he was unable to corner me today. I’m sure you guys will be finding out soon enough as will I, but for me I wasn’t worried about the details in that moment, it’s just a rug being pulled out from under your feet at the pre-fight night dinner. So yeah, there was a little bit of adversity with that but we’re here now, we got the W, it’s all good.”

UFC Fight Night 215 took place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The card streams on ESPN+.

Watch the video of Johns’ complete post-fight media availability above.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 215.

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