We let these guys know not to bet on fights. Do you know what the outcome of this is? If I penalize them, you get cut. You’re going to go to f—-ng federal prison. Federal f—-ng prison. If you’re that f—-ng stupid and somebody else wants to do it, knock yourself out.” Dana White spoke to the media after UFC 282 in light of former UFC fighter James Krause and his betting scandal. For the unversed, Krause acted as a middleman for offshore books and betters for a company called ABCBetting.ag. When the scandal was discovered, not only White severed ties with Krause but also blacklisted any fighters associated with him.
Now, after a long investigation, two of his fighters have officially received their suspension. But what was the actual hubbub? The controversy dates back to November 5, 2022, when former 145lbs fighter Darrick Minner, linked to Krause, faced Shayilan Nuerdanbieke at UFC Fight Night 214. Minner entered the bout as an underdog and suffered a quick first-round TKO loss—but it wasn’t the defeat itself that raised alarms.
Shortly before the fight, suspicious betting activity saw a surge of money being placed on Nuerdanbieke winning inside the first round. Minner, who failed to disclose a pre-existing knee injury to the Nevada Athletic Commission, lasted just over a minute before succumbing to the injury, further fueling suspicions of foul play. This didn’t stop there. Jeff Molina, another 125lbs fighter under Krause’s tutelage, was also implicated after being found to have prior knowledge of Minner’s injury.
With Krause already banned from cornering UFC fighters, the NSAC launched an extensive investigation into the case, which concluded with a hearing on Tuesday. As a result, both Minner and Molina have been officially suspended—Minner for 29 months and Molina for 36 months and in addition, have been fined $235 each. The nature of the suspension is retroactive to their last fights in 2022 and so Molina’s suspension expires on November 5, 2025. Meanwhile, Minner is eligible to return to action on March 26, 2025.
UFC had already slammed the door shut on Krause and immediately let Darrick Minner go. In 2023, reports came out that Jeff Molina was also removed from the UFC’s roster. While it’s uncertain as to what lies next for Minner and Molina, the retired UFC fighter came under public attention last year and seems to be in a bit of debt after Dana White banned him from the UFC.
James Krause found himself in a $5 million debt after Dana White threw him out of the UFC
With the NSAC’s suspension and Dana White barring fighters from training with James Krause, the retired fighter shifted his area of work from fighting to jumping into the real estate business. And guess what? He even kept himself available for others who wanted to learn from him. However, he also announced that he was $5 million in debt, but remains unbothered about that because of the “few things” he learned throughout his life.
“I’m in over 5 million dollars of debt and don’t lose a second of sleep over it… Once I learned how debt worked it changed my life,” James Krause stated in a Facebook post. “If I can help you in any way shoot me a DM!” Well, surely no UFC fighters or those hoping to get to the UFC would want anything to do with Krause if they ever wish to make a name for themselves in Dana White’s promotion.
Well, James Krause had a real fall from grace, as he was one of the most popular coaches in MMA before his NSAC suspension and ban from Dana White’s company. Let us know what you think about this situation in the comments down below.
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