James Krause worked as agent for offshore sportsbook, report says

ESPN has reported that, according to multiple sources, former UFC fighter and coach James Krause has worked as an agent for Costa Rican-based online sportsbook ABCBetting.ag for years, possibly rigging many bouts in the process.

Krause previously said he was a member of an online betting group that used sophisticated betting tactics.

Last year in March, Krause launched a subscription service called the 1% Club on Discord, where he provided betting tips. It had around 2,000 subscribers, with some paying nearly $2,000 per month. Some of its members included a pseudonymous professional bettor called Shay and UFC flyweight fighter Jeff Molina.

“I make more gambling on MMA than I do anything else,” Krause told The MMA Hour podcast in August. “I have some guys making in the 20s, but even at that, you get 10 percent of 20 grand. That’s $2,000. I’m on the road every weekend, Wednesday to Sunday.”

Krause’s 1% Club Discord was shut down on November 24 following an investigation of suspicious gambling activity in a November 5 UFC fight in Las Vegas between Shayilan Nuerdianbieke and Darrick Minner.

There were reports of unusual betting interest for Minner, who was coached by Krause, to lose in the first round, with the match lasting no longer than 2.5 rounds. He ended up losing to Nuerdanbieke by TKO in less than two minutes in the first round. Minner’s manager, Andrew Lee, said he was unaware of this betting activity.

James Krause Retires From MMA, Will Never Fight In UFC Again | The MMA Hour

Suspensions of fighters associated with Krause

The incident prompted investigations by multiple government agencies. The Nevada State Athletic Commission suspended Krause and Minner for not reporting an injury on the pre-fight medical questionnaire. All fighters associated with Krause, including Molina, were also later suspended.

New Jersey’s gambling enforcement authorities suspended all betting activities associated with Krause on any events. Two Canadian jurisdictions also temporarily suspended people from betting on UFC fights.

While UFC later released Minner, it announced that all fighters associated with Krause would not be allowed to participate in its events until the government concludes its investigations.