The Nevada Athletic Commission (NAC) has given lengthy suspensions to two fighters in connection with a 2022 UFC betting scandal.
The case centers around a fight between Darrick Minner and Shayilan Nuerdanbieke on 5 November 2022.
UFC flyweight competitor Jeff Molina, a former ranked fighter in the UFC’s 125-pound division, was suspended for 36 months for his part in a notorious betting scheme involving his coach, James Krause.
Darrick Minner was suspended for 29 months for failure to report an injury. Given both suspensions are applied retrospectively, both will be eligible to fight this year.
In November 2022, Minner lost in the first UFC round to Nuerdanbieke. During the fight, irregular betting patterns were noted, with betting lines heavily moving towards Nuerdanbieke’s win soon before the fight. Both Krause and Minner were subsequently suspended for failing to report an injury.
Matthew Feeley, the Deputy Attorney General for Nevada, said at the hearing: “After Molina having direct knowledge of a serious injury sustained by a fellow fighter Darrick Minner, Molina failed to inform the commission of Minner’s serious injury, in violation of NAC 467.885, and instead of informing the commission additionally placed significant bets with a gaming entity on the outcome of Minner’s fight.”
Krause Involved Offshore and Online
According to an ESPN report, Krause worked as an agent for an offshore bookmaking option for years. He also publicly disclosed his involvement with an online betting group that often circumvented limits. Given the anonymity associated with blockchain technology, it is unknown whether Krause used crypto sportsbooks.
Following the initial reports, Krause and all fighters he coached were effectively barred from the UFC. At the time, the competition announced: “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.”
Nevada Regulators Continue Busy Period
This is far from the only feud ongoing in Nevada. The Nevada Gaming Commission recently ordered prediction market company Kalshi to cease and desist. The letter outlined that Kalshi was breaching several Statutes, and the company was notified that its services were “unlawful in Nevada, unless and until approved as licensed gaming.”
In addition, the NGCB Chairman, Kirk Hendrick, explained that past actions are still subject to criminal and civil penalties, and any further breaches would be considered ‘wilful.’ There have yet to be any further developments between the two parties.
In addition, Resorts World Las Vegas has agreed to a settlement regarding facilitating illegal gambling that would be the second-largest fine in Nevada’s history at $17.5 million. The fine, if agreed, will be paid to the Nevada General Fund.
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