James Krause, Darrick Minner Have Suspensions Extended by Nevada Commission

James Krause and Darrick Minner had temporary extensions extended by the Nevada State Athletic Commission during a Wednesday meeting.

A full disciplinary hearing will take place at a later date. Currently, Krause, the head trainer at Glory MMA & Fitness, and Minner, a former UFC featherweight, are suspended for failing to disclose an injury to the fighter in relation to his first-round technical loss to Nuerdanbieke Shayilan at UFC Fight Night 214 on Nov. 5.

Those are potentially the least serious sanctions facing both Krause and Minner. The bout is currently under investigation for suspicious activity after the betting odds shifted significantly just hours before the fight — and manny bettors wagered on Shayilan to win inside of a round. Minner appeared to be hobbled during the bout, and speculation ensued that he entered the bout against Shayilan with a pre-existing knee injury.

During Wednesday’s meeting, Nevada deputy attorney general Joel Bekker alluded to the ongoing investigations regarding Krause and Minner that could lead to “further violations.” He also presented the current complaint, which is only related to the failure to reveal Minner’s potential injury before UFC Fight Night 214.

“It is alleged respondent [Krause] 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],” Bekker said. “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.”

According to ESPN, the FBI is currently investigating the Minner vs. Shayilan fight and is in the process of collecting information regarding the suspicious betting activity surrounding the bout.

Both Minner and Krause have already experienced significant fallout from the fight. Minner was released from the UFC, while Krause has been barred from cornering fighters at UFC events. Additionally, the promotion released a statement prohibiting fighters wo train at Krause’s Glory MMA & Fitness from competing at UFC events until the investigation is resolved. The implications for Krause extend beyond his role cornering Minner, as he has been a prominent figure in the MMA gambling world with a wagering podcast and a Discord channel on which he offers betting advice.

Meanwhile, the New Jersey Division of Gambling Enforcement instructed the state’s sports books not to offer betting involving Krause in any capacity, while the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario took it one step further by blocking wagering on all UFC events for the foreseeable future due to integrity concerns. Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis also temporarily blocked betting on the Las Vegas-based promotion’s events in the province before reinstating UFC betting last week.

Prior to UFC Fight Night 214 and the investigation surrounding the Minner-Shayilan bout, the organization updated its code of conduct to prohibit fighters from betting on matches within the Las Vegas-based promotion.

“As you may already be aware, most states in which regulated sports betting is conducted prohibit athletes from wagering on promotions or events with which they are affiliated,” wrote UFC chief business officer Hunter Campbell in a memo. “Many states also extend this prohibition to the athletes' training teams, family members and others that have access to "inside information" relating to the athletes and their events. In some instances, violations of these prohibitions could result in criminal charges.

“The UFC's contracted athletes are not exempt from these prohibitions, which state legislators and regulators have implemented for the purpose of maintaining the integrity of our sport. In order to assist our athletes in understanding their obligations under the laws of the majority of states in which sports betting is permitted, and in further support of these integrity measures, UFC has incorporated a wagering prohibition into the UFC Athlete Conduct Policy expressly prohibiting athletes from wagering on any UFC match.”