UFC flyweight Jeff Molina has been suspended by the Nevada State Athletic Commission due to what one commissioner called allegations of “substantial” involvement in a gambling scheme run by former Glory MMA and Fitness head coach James Krause.
He may also be out of a job.
Molina, a Glory fighter, had previously had his license suspended by the Association of Boxing Commissions, resulting in his removal from this past weekend’s UFC Vegas 67 card.
Krause is at the center of multiple ongoing investigations into betting irregularities stemming from the Nov. 5, 2022 match-up between Shayilan Neurdanbieke and Darrick Minner, which Minner lost inside of a round. Immediately before the fight, significant money was placed on Neurdanbieke, already the favorite in the bout, to win inside of a round.
Minner, a Krause fighter, appeared hampered by a leg injury in the bout, putting immediate focus on who knew about the fighter’s ailment. Minner has since been released by the UFC.
Per a report by MMA Junkie, the decision by Nevada officials to suspend Molina was made in December, around the time of his ABC suspension, and extended at a commission meeting on Tuesday.
“Evidence has come to light, leading to allegations that respondent Jeff Molina was involved in some substantial way in the gaming scheme currently under ongoing investigation related to James Krause,” Nevada Attorney General’s Office representative Joel Bekker stated. “Based on this evidence pursuant to NRS 467.117, executive director [Jeff] Mullen temporarily suspended the respondent’s license on Dec. 15, 2022. It is now being requested this suspension be continued pending the resolution of investigations and any subsequent disciplinary action.”
That evidence is possibly related to a previous report of leaked messages attributed to Molina, in which he claims to have paid car and mortgage payments through betting tips provided by Krause. These statements appear to have been a recruitment effort to join the “1% Club,” a gambling-themed Discord run by the Glory coach.
That same ESPN report has linked Krause of an offshore betting site, where he allegedly worked as an agent for several years.
Also Tuesday, UFC Roster Watch, an automated service that monitors changes to the UFC’s fighter database, noted that Molina had been removed from the roster. It’s unclear whether he has been outright released, or if this is a temporary removal due to his suspension.
UFC officials did not respond to a request for comment regarding Molina’s status. None of the allegations regarding Krause or Molina have been proven in court; neither fighters has been charged with any criminal wrongdoing at this point.
