(source:Instagram/JamesKrause)
The federal investigation of James Krause’s probable match-fixing between Darrick Minner and Shayilan Nuerdanbieke has led the Nevada State Athletic Commission to suspend his cornering license. This has resulted in unfortunate repercussions for the fighters associated with Krause, particularly those who are being coached or trained by him at his Glory MMA Gym in Kansas.
Suspicions arose due to an influx of bets against Minner hours prior to the match on November 5,2021. Further damning evidence includes specific bets for Nuerdanbieke winning in the first round via termination of the match, and for the end of the fight within two and a half rounds. Minner was reported to have entered the cage with a notable yet undisclosed leg injury, and the fight concluded at just over a minute in Round one.
Given that Krause’s gym is located in Kansas, readers based there would do well to know that Kansas sports betting is now legal. Several betting sites have already gone live and there could be as many as 12 available in time to come, with half of them rolling out during the soft launch in September.
A few weeks before the match, the UFC had already banned all fighters and teams from betting on UFC fights, according to their most recent statement; “This 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.
“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.”
According to NSAC’s Deputy Attorney General, Joel Bekker who spoke at the hearing, “Respondent [James Krause] allegedly allowed Mr. Minner to submit a medical questionnaire dated Nov. 1, 2022 and confirmed statement was true and accurate to a representative of the commission on Nov. 4, 2022.
“It is alleged that the respondent knew or should have known of a substantial injury that required medical attention and reported to the commission sustained by Mr. Minner and either allowed or encouraged Mr. Minner to fail to report [the injury]. Further, there are ongoing investigations regarding events stemming from and related to that Nov. 5 bout that are yet to be concluded and may bring to light further violations.”
Consequently, Minner has been booted from the UFC while Krause’s license has been suspended for the entirety of the investigation period.
“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,” the promotion stated. “Further, UFC has released Darrick Minner from the organization.”
Krause, who has formerly boasted his various victories and wagers, will be forced to sell both his ownership and affiliates of the Glory MMA Gym to FAC owner, Joe Wooster. “James Krause has elected to sell all ownership in Glory MMA and its affiliates to Fighting Alliance Championship owner & Iridium Sports agent Joe Wooster.
Wooster is the founder of the Kansas City-based FAC fight promotion and appears to have had a longstanding relationship with Krause prior to his takeover.
“FAC recently had its planned broadcast for this upcoming Friday removed from the UFC FightPass app and I’m hearing that Krause has opted to sell his stake in all gyms connected to both the UFC and the regional fight,” claims MMA Insiders.
By opting to sell his share of the gym, Klause may have created a route for the gym’s UFC fighters to be operational whilst the investigation continues. The investigation may not only affect current members of his Glory MMA Gym, but even those who have trained with him in the past.
(source:https://twitter.com/TheJamesKrause)
Fighters to note are flyweight champion Brandon Moreno, Tim Elliot (former flyweight title challenger), Grant Dawson and Megan Anderson (former women’s featherweight title challenger). To date, Klause has not released any statements regarding his hiatus or his sale of ownership.
It is quite improbable that Klause and Minner will ever be accepted into any other commissions as a result of this incriminating scandal, particularly since they may be facing federal charges.
