UFC veterans Jeff Molina and Darrick Minner are approaching a critical point regarding their fighting careers as they are scheduled for disciplinary hearings with the Nevada Athletic Commission. These hearings follow their suspension due to suspicions of involvement in a betting scandal connected to their head coach, James Krause.
The fighters are listed on the agenda for the upcoming meeting on March 25. The item is described as a “hearing on disciplinary complaint, or alternatively, a hearing on a proposed adjudication agreement.” This wording suggests that the Nevada Attorney General’s office may have already reached an agreement on potential penalties, which will then be presented to the commission for a vote.
Both Molina and Minner, along with Krause, were initially suspended in December 2022 after allegations surfaced about Krause being investigated for betting irregularities.
The situation gained widespread attention after Minner’s fight against Shayilan Nuerdanbieke at UFC Vegas 64 in November 2022. Concerns arose when betting odds for the fight shifted dramatically just before it began, with Minner becoming a significant underdog before his first-round TKO loss in just 67 seconds.
Subsequently, Krause and Minner were suspended for failing to disclose a pre-existing injury before the fight. However, the primary focus of the investigation became the potential betting scandal, which even led some sportsbooks to stop accepting bets on UFC events.
Molina also faced an indefinite suspension after being identified as someone of interest in the ongoing betting scandal investigation related to James Krause.
During the commission hearing where Molina was suspended, Nevada Deputy Attorney General Joel Bekker stated that evidence had emerged suggesting Jeff Molina’s substantial involvement in the alleged gaming scheme under investigation concerning James Krause.
Following the public allegations against Krause, the UFC quickly distanced itself from the coach, issuing a statement that effectively barred him from any association with the promotion or fighters competing in it. The UFC also warned of immediate consequences for any fighter who continued to work with Krause after the investigation commenced.
UFC officials announced in December 2022 that fighters who choose to be coached by Krause or train at his gym would not be allowed to participate in UFC events pending the outcome of government investigations.
Minner was subsequently released from his UFC contract.
UFC CEO Dana White briefly addressed the situation and the severity of the potential charges after UFC 282.
White emphasized the serious potential consequences, including federal prison time, for those involved in such activities, cautioning against the immense risks involved.
The fighters have remained under temporary suspension for almost three months. The upcoming disciplinary hearings scheduled for the Nevada Athletic Commission meeting on Tuesday indicate that a resolution may finally be on the horizon.
