UFC veteran Jeff Molina suspended 3 years after placing ‘significant bets’ on fight involved in James Krause betting scandal
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 found out his fate on Tuesday during a monthly meeting with the Nevada Athletic Commission following an adjudication agreement reached with the state attorney general. He also must pay $235.56 in prosecution fees.
The situation initially involved Molina’s teammate Darrick Minner after he fought and lost to Shayilan Nuerdanbieke by first-round TKO at UFC Vegas 64 back in November 2022. Suspicions were raised after betting lines for the fight shifted dramatically just before the event kicked off with Minner becoming a massive underdog before ultimately losing the fight in just 67 seconds.
Krause and Minner were then suspended for failing to report an injury prior to the fight, but the actual investigation was surrounding a potential betting scandal that actually led to several sportsbooks refusing to take bets on UFC fights.
Molina was initially suspended all the way back in December 2022 when an investigation opened over allegations of betting irregularities surrounding Krause. On Tuesday, Matthew Feeley, deputy attorney general for the state of Nevada, revealed that Molina’s suspension stemmed from him failing to disclose Minner’s injury and then placing wagers on the outcome of his fight.
“After Molina having direct knowledge of a serious injury sustained by a fellow fighter Darrick Minner, Molina failed to inform the commission of Minner’s serious injury, in violation of NAC 467.885, and instead of informing the commission additionally placed significant bets with a gaming entity on the outcome of Minner’s fight,” Feeley said during Tuesday’s meeting.
The suspension was made retroactive to the date of Minner’s fight so Molina is cleared to compete again on or after Nov. 5, 2025.
As far as Krause goes, he was effectively banned from the UFC with the organization moving swiftly to cut ties with him while also issuing a very stern warning that any fighters who continued to be associated with him would also be removed from the promotion.
“UFC has since advised Krause and the respective managers working with impacted fighters, that effective immediately, fighters who choose to continue to be coached by Krause or who continue to train in his gym, will not be permitted to participate in UFC events pending the outcome of the aforementioned government investigations,” UFC officials stated in December 2022.
Molina has largely stayed quiet since his initial suspension with the flyweight being removed from the UFC roster in January 2023.
Now he’ll face his punishment with the 27-year-old fighter cleared to compete again in November.