UFC announces James Krause suspension in Nevada, cuts Darrick Minner

The UFC is putting as much distance from itself as possible from James Krause and Darrick Minner.

On Friday, the promotion’s chief business officer, Hunter Campbell, announced to fighters in an email that Krause’s Nevada license has been suspended on Nov. 18 and any fighters associated with him will not be allowed to participate at UFC events until the resolution of “government investigations,” MMA Fighting’s Damon Martin confirmed. Additionally, the promotion released Minner from contract.

A request for comment to the Nevada Athletic Commission wasn’t immediately returned.

Krause heads Glory MMA and Fitness in Lee’s Summit, Miss. The 36-year-old former UFC fighter and coach has worked with dozens of fighters in the UFC and other high-profile promotions including UFC interim flyweight champ Brandon Moreno, Grant Dawson, Tim Elliott, Anthony Smith, Laura Sanko, Megan Anderson, Jeff Molina and others.

Minner, 32, faces a potential sanction from the Nevada Athletic Commission, which oversaw UFC Vegas 64, for not disclosing a leg injury he had before his loss to Shayilan Nuerdanbieke. The commission said Minner’s actions “had all kind of effects on betting lines.” In fact, the odds swung in favor of Nuerdanbieke in the hours before the fight as he finished as a -420 favorite, up from -220.

” UFC is committed to the safety and well-being of fighters. However, UFC also believes that professional mixed martial art has no greater component than its integrity,” Campbell wrote. “UFC will continue to take all necessary and appropriate steps to ensure compliance with an enforcement of its policies and those of the jurisdictions in which it operates.”

Minner was Minner’s coach for a long time and was also the face of an online bookmaker. He also ran a Dischord server where he advised fans on MMA bets. He shut down his service after suspicious betting activity was reported by the U.S. gambling integrity firm.

Minner was also targeted by regulators. He was a former UFC fighter who shut down the site. However, he was prohibited from placing bets on fights in New Jersey where he was involved in any capacity as a trainer, coach, promoter or fighter.

Several weeks before UFC Vegas 64, the UFC moved to stop fight wagering by athletes on its roster (or via third parties) by making it a part of the little-used Code of Conduct. Unclear at the time was how the promotion planned to enforce the edict, though at UFC Vegas 65, Krause charge Miles Johns said his coach had been suspended by the UFC. The promotion denied suspending him, and the NAC would not comment on the situation. Krause has not commented publicly on the situation.

The UFC tried to distance themselves from any allegations of betting fraud by pledging to investigate the matter and partnering with a firm that specializes in integrity betting. The investigation has not yet been completed.

In Canada, UFC betting has been banned by regulators. As MMA Fighting previously reported, gaming control boards in Ontario and Alberta won’t allow bets on octagon fights.

Minner’s loss at UFC Vegas 64 marked his third straight setback in the octagon. His overall UFC record was 2-4.

Here’s Hunter Campbell’s complete letter, as per Ariel Helwani.

Source: https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/12/2/23490603/ufc-announces-james-krause-suspension-in-nevada-cuts-darrick-minner?rand=96749