Bellator President Scott Coker doubts James Krause shall be noticed within the nook of his promotion cage anytime quickly.
Krause was not too long ago banned from showing at UFC occasions amid an ongoing authorities investigation tied to allegations of insider data influencing wagers on fights. The investigation was sparked by Darrick Minner — a Krause-coached fighter since 2020 — dropping by way of first-round TKO to Shayilan Nuerdanbieke at UFC Vegas 64 this previous November, a bout that was overshadowed by a Minner harm and suspicious betting exercise within the hours main as much as the preliminary contest.
The rising scandal resulted within the commissions within the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Alberta inserting a ban on UFC betting (Alberta has since lifted the ban following the UFC taking motion in opposition to Krause).
Following Saturday’s Bellator 289 occasion in Uncasville, Conn., Coker spoke to the media concerning the Krause scenario and what it may imply for the enterprise of MMA.
“That’s, to me, completely unacceptable,” Coker mentioned. “All people has to place their foot down. I do know that the authorized division is looking at what’s occurring proper now and so they’ll come out with what they really feel are possibly some modifications that we’re going to need to make.
“However that form of habits is simply not acceptable as a result of it may smash plenty of good issues for lots of people which have labored plenty of years to get to a sure level. It actually simply can’t occur on this sport. It’s unacceptable.”
The UFC has taken a tough stance in opposition to Krause and any fighters related to him (Minner has since been launched by the promotion). Numerous high-profile fighters are tied to Krause, together with UFC interim flyweight champion Brandon Moreno, who fights undisputed champion Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC 283 on Jan. 21.
Coker not too long ago launched a press release in assist of the UFC suspending Krause, saying “Bellator MMA is a promotion that extremely values the significance of impartial regulation of our sport, and we are going to proceed to abide by the mandates of the regulatory our bodies which sanction and oversee our occasions.”
Requested if Krause may nook a fighter at a Bellator occasion, Coker reiterated that will probably be as much as the commissions.
“The factor about cornering a fighter, that’s one thing you’d need to ask [Association of Boxing Commissions and Combative Sports President] Mike Mazzulli,” Coker mentioned. “Is he going to permit the man to get a license? As a result of each cornerman, each fighter, each referee, each decide, any official on this constructing needs to be licensed by the state.
“So if the state licenses him, then I’d have to speak to authorized internally, however I feel these people are going to have a tough time getting licensed in numerous states till the investigation is full.”
