Minner Speaks on James Krause Betting Scandal
MMA Fighter Still 'Under Investigation'
MMA fighter Darrick Minner came back into the spotlight to talk about his continued suspension. Minner has been “under investigation” since his November 2022 match with Shayilan Nuerdanbieke. Prior to the fight, money poured in on Nuerdanbieke to win by first-round technical knockout. The betting odds also took a dramatic shift in favor of Nuerdanbieke.
When Minner blew out his knee early in the first round, Nuerdanbieke was an easy winner. Speculation started that Minner was injured before the fight and his coach James Krause leaked the info to his betting buddies. The James Krause betting scandal has also seen Krause suspended since the fight took place.
If Minner was coached by anybody other than Krause, the ordeal could be over by now. Krause, however, runs a sports service and said he made more from betting than from fighting and coaching. Krause is one of the more popular MMA fighters and his betting endeavors help there.
The Nevada State Athletic Commission suspended both Minner and his coach, believing a James Krause betting scandal was in the works. Nuerdanbieke moved from -220 to -420 at the best sportsbooks.
“Respondent [James Krause] allegedly allowed Mr. Minner to submit a medical questionnaire dated Nov. 1, 2022, and confirmed statement was true and accurate to a representative of the commission on Nov. 4, 2022, It is alleged respondent 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. 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.” Nevada State Deputy Attorney General Joel Bekke said at a hearing.
Minner Speaks Out
Minner insists he did nothing wrong. The fighter appeared on the LytesOut MMA History Podcast and said he was there to win and Krause was helping him.
“When it came to the fight, I know that Krause was guiding me to victory,” he said. “There was nothing changed from the other fights. He wasn’t acting any different. We were going in there to win. I know that I showed up on fight day to win, took a loss, completely (tore) my ACL, my PCL in the middle of the fight on a main card slot in front of millions of people. I don’t like losing, for one, especially like that.”
Minner said his biggest complaint is how long the investigation has been taking place. If he can’t fight, he can’t earn a living.
“This is my livelihood. I gotta eat,” he said. “My knee is finally ready to go. But it was just like, ‘Pending investigation, pending investigation.’ It’s like, what the hell does this mean? Why are you just leaving people out here?”
Minner was released by UFC once news of the investigation broke. He hasn’t been reinstated by the Nevada State Athletic Commission, so his career remains in limbo for the time being.
There appears to be no definitive proof of a James Krause betting scandal here. If there was, the Nevada State Athletic Commission should have announced it by now. That’s what makes the entire ordeal that much more frustrating for Minner.
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