The UFC has taken a firm stance in the James Krause 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 James 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.”
James 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.
The Las-Vegas based promotion will not allow athletes to step into the octagon if trained by James 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.
Check out how fighters reacted to the news below:
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.”