UFC veterans Jeff Molina, Darrick Minner set for disciplinary hearings after alleged involvement in James Krause betting scandal
03/20/2025 06:00 PM
UFC veterans Jeff Molina and Darrick Minner may finally get some closure when it comes to the future of their fighting careers with both fighters scheduled for disciplinary hearings with Nevada Athletic Commission after being suspended under suspicion of potentially being involved a betting scandal involving their head coach James Krause.
The fighters were added to the upcoming meeting on March 25 with the appearance noted as a "hearing on disciplinary complaint, or in the alternative, hearing on proposed adjudication agreement." That typically means that the Nevada attorney general's office has already come to terms on some sort of punishment, which is then voted on by the commission for approval.
Both fighters were suspended alongside Krause in December 2022 after allegations became public that the veteran coach was under investigation for betting irregularities.
The entire situation exploded after Minner 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 real investigation surrounded a potential betting scandal that led to some sportsbooks refusing to take wagers on the UFC.
Molina was also suspended indefinitely after he was identified as a person of interest involved in the potential betting scandal.
"Evidence has come to light leading to allegations about respondent Jeff Molina was involved in some substantial way in the gaming scheme currently under ongoing investigation related to James Krause," Nevada deputy attorney general Joel Bekker said during the commission hearing where Molina was suspended.
After the allegations against Krause were first made public, the UFC moved swiftly to cut ties with the retired fighter and veteran coach by issuing a statement that effectively banned him from having any involvement with the promotion or any fighters competing in the organization. The UFC also threatened immediate action against any fighter who continued working with Krause after the investigation began.
"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.
Minner was then released from his UFC contract.
After the initial investigation started, UFC CEO Dana White spoke briefly about the situation and the seriousness of the potential charges involved.
"Do you know what the outcome of this is?" White said after UFC 282. "If I penalize them, they're going to get cut. They're going to go f*cking Federal prison — Federal f*cking prison. If you're that stupid and somebody else wants to do it, knock yourself out. There's not enough money in it to ruin your life and not go to jail, go to Federal prison."
The fighters have remained under the same temporary suspension for nearly three years but now it appears there is some resolution coming with the disciplinary hearings scheduled for the upcoming Nevada Athletic Commission meeting on Tuesday.
