The UFC has taken a severe hit surrounding the fight-fixing controversy, and the promotion is getting investigated by several government agencies, like the FBI and others. The betting controversy started because of a fight between Shayilan Nuerdanbieke and Darrick Minner and the former UFC fighter and coach James Krause is at the center of all the controversy.
Krause’s license has been suspended by NSAC over concerns of fight-fixing and his suspicious actions can even land him in jail. The former UFC fighter is being investigated by the FBI and any fighters associated with Krause can also face serious consequences.
UFC president Dana White reacted to this and showed no sympathy for those who are involved in the betting controversy. In a post-fight press conference, White was asked about updates on the James Krause incident.
White said: “Zero. I am not worried about it at all.” White stated that he is unaware of any further developments surrounding the fight-fixing controversy. He added that the investigation is still ongoing and he is “not worried about it all”.
“People ask me well, what’s the UFC gonna do? 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. They are gonna go to fu***ng federal prison, federal fu***ng prison,” White added.
“They’re going to f*cking federal prison”: Dana White discusses where things stand with the ongoing UFC betting investigation.
Full video: https://t.co/Y5AmwlZFw5 pic.twitter.com/JBn3uLIOzN
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) December 11, 2022
The UFC is taking this incident seriously and Minner has been released from the roster. Minner’s release came in light of the investigations, and it was a necessary step for the UFC to maintain its reputation.
Dana White warns UFC fighters over betting on fights
Following the incident, betting on UFC fights in Canada has been banned. UFC President Dana White also warned the fighters in the promotion and expressed that fight-fixing can ruin a fighter’s career and life.
Ontario regulators prohibited the fans from betting on any UFC fights. Moreover, the promotion recently added a clause that says any UFC fighters, coaches, managers, etc. cannot wage on any upcoming fights.
White said, “If you are that f*cking stupid and anyone else wants to do it. Knock yourself out. There is not enough money in it to ruin your life, and not go to jail, go to federal prison.”
White also added that the punishment for those involved in match-fixing is severe and they would end up in prison. He further added that gambling is in every sport but they will always get caught.
White believes that this is a bad look for the sport and promised that the UFC will take severe actions if they find any suspicious betting activity. The future of professional betters is in jeopardy and the MMA community blamed Krause for this incident.
Investigation on former UFC fighter James Krause
The former UFC fighter and coach James Krause is in a tough spot. He revealed that he frequently bets on UFC fights, including his own fighters. Krause had a Discord channel that was betting-related but it was deleted after the controversy.
it’s crazy that everyone simultaneously knew that this James Krause shit would happen eventually. Insane that anyone thought otherwise pic.twitter.com/1RJAUwS2Uc
— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) December 1, 2022
Krause also disclosed that he makes more money betting on MMA fights than anything else he does. The NSAC has suspended Krause and his fighter Minner. It is possible that the two can face an increased suspension but Krause can also end up in federal prison. Moreover, any fighter associated with Krause can also face similar consequences.
Sources suggest that Minner suffered a knee injury ahead of the fight and this information was leaked by someone from Minner’s team. Ahead of the fight, the betting odds on Nuerdanbieke beating Minner increased by a lot.
Nuerdanbieke would then go on to beat Minner by first-round TKO and Minner was seen getting a knee injury when he attempted to throw a kick. This is indeed one of the biggest MMA controversies and the UFC seeks to end the corruption as the reputation of the promotion can get seriously damaged.
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