If you want to fight for the UFC, you won’t be doing so under coach James Krause. At least for the time being.
Krause, once a UFC fighter himself, and popular coach who runs Glory MMA and Fitness in Kansas, has become the focal point of an ongoing investigation into suspicious betting activity connected to the November 5, 2022 featherweight fight between Darrick Minner and Shayilan Nuerdanbieke.
Things went from bad to worse on Friday, with UFC Chief Business Officer Hunter Campbell announcing that fighters training under Krause, or at Glory MMA and Fitness, would not be allowed to compete for the promotion.
The ban will remain in place at least until the outcome of an investigation into the Minner fight. News of the move, which was communicated to all UFC fighters, was reported by Ariel Helwani.
In Campbell’s communication to athletes and their managers (since released via UFC.com), the executive wrote in part that “On November 18, the Nevada State Athletic Commission informed UFC and [Darrick] 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.”
The UFC, via betting integrity partner Don Best Sports, and U.S. Integrity, have been investigating the matter, which saw the already favored Nuerdanbieke see an influx of betting action in the hours before the fight. A large amount of money was also placed on Nuerdanbieke to win inside of a round, which he did — after Minner entered the fight with an apparent injury.
The NSAC has also been pursuing a case against Minner for failing to report the injury.
Minner’s coach, Krause, is a well-known betting enthusiast who ran both a betting related Discord and Youtube channel, both of which were recently shuttered. Last week, the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement instituted a ban on any fights linked to Krause; this week, the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Alberta have both issued blanket bans on betting involving UFC events.
An Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis spokesperson told Cageside Press that they were aware of Friday’s move, and are monitoring the situation.
Meanwhile, Friday’s development leaves UFC flyweight Brandon Moreno in a bit of a pickle. Moreno recently joined Glory MMA and Fitness, and the former champion is scheduled to face Deiveson Figueiredo for a fourth time, at UFC 283 in January.
Other impacted fighters would appear to include Miles Johns, Jeff Molina, Marcelo Rojo, Grant Dawson, Jason Witt, Tim Elliott, and potentially others.
