UFC veteran Jeff Molina has been suspended for 36 months due to his involvement in the betting scandal surrounding his coach James Krause.
The former top 15 flyweight was informed of his punishment on Tuesday during a monthly meeting with the Nevada Athletic Commission, following an agreement with the state attorney general. He is also required to pay $235.56 in prosecution fees.
The situation began with Molina’s teammate Darrick Minner after his fight against Shayilan Nuerdanbieke at UFC Vegas 64 in November 2022, which Minner lost in the first round by TKO. Suspicion arose when betting odds for the fight changed dramatically just before it started, with Minner becoming a significant underdog before his quick defeat in just 67 seconds.
Krause and Minner were initially suspended for failing to report an injury before the fight. However, the main investigation centered on a potential betting scandal that led several sportsbooks to stop accepting bets on UFC fights.
Molina was initially suspended in December 2022 when an investigation began into betting irregularities related to Krause. On Tuesday, Matthew Feeley, deputy attorney general for Nevada, revealed that Molina’s suspension resulted from his failure to disclose Minner’s injury and subsequently placing bets on the fight`s outcome.
“After Molina directly knew about a serious injury sustained by fellow fighter Darrick Minner, Molina did not inform the commission about Minner’s serious injury, violating NAC 467.885. Instead of informing the commission, he placed significant bets with a gaming entity on the outcome of Minner’s fight,” Feeley stated during Tuesday’s meeting.
The suspension is retroactive to the date of Minner’s fight, meaning Molina is eligible to compete again on or after November 5, 2025.
Regarding Krause, he has been effectively banned from the UFC. The organization quickly severed ties with him and issued a strong warning that any fighters who continue to associate with him would also be removed from the promotion.
“UFC has since informed Krause and the managers of affected fighters that, effective immediately, fighters who choose to remain coached by Krause or continue training at his gym will not be allowed to participate in UFC events pending the outcome of government investigations,” UFC officials said in December 2022.
Molina has remained largely silent since his initial suspension and was removed from the UFC roster in January 2023.
Now, he will face his punishment, with the 27-year-old fighter cleared to compete again in November 2025.
