UFC fighters probed for illegal gambling get multiyear suspensions

LAS VEGAS – Two fighters connected to the federal investigation of an illegal betting scheme involving former UFC fighter and coach James Krause have received formal sanctioning by the Nevada Athletic Commission.

At a monthly NAC meeting Tuesday, UFC flyweight Jeff Molina and former UFC featherweight Darrick Minner had disciplinary hearings before the commission where they both received multiyear suspensions.

Molina received a three-year suspension and was fined $235.56 in prosecution fees for failing to disclose his teammate Minner’s injury and then willingly placing a significant bet on the fight. Molina’s suspension expires November 5, 2025.

“Having direct knowledge of a serious injury sustained by a fellow fighter, Darrick Minner, Molina failed to inform the commission of the serious injury, violation of NAC 467.885, and instead of informing the commission, additionally placed a significant bet with a gaming entity on Minner’s fight,” attorney general representative Matthew Feely said.

Minner was suspended 29 months and fined $235.56 in prosecution fees after he “failed to disclose a serious injury he sustained to his knee” prior to a Nov. 5, 2022 bout. The suspension will be retroactive, meaning Minner is eligible to return to action March 26, 2025.

“(The failure came) specifically on his pre-fight medical questionnaire to the question, ‘Have you had any injuries to your elbows, hands, knees, ankles, or feet that need evaluation or examination?’ Minner responded by checking the box that stated no,” Feely said.

Feely said Molina admitted to his violation but also presented the commission with a letter explaining his side of the story. Contents of the letter were not made public.

Molina had been suspended since January 2023 for what the commission deemed “substantial” involvement in the “gaming scheme” involving coach Krause. Minner, who was one-half of the bout that sparked investigations due to unusual betting line movements, was suspended in December 2022 for what the commission said was failure to disclose an injury.

Neither fighter has competed since Minner’s quick November 2022 loss to Shayilan Nuerdanbieke was flagged due to suspicious betting line movement. Minner appeared to quickly be hindered by a leg injury before he was finished by Nuerdanbieke strikes.

Shortly after the bout, U.S. Integrity launched an investigation and several gaming commissions disallowed UFC fights from being bet on. Weeks after the bout, Krause was pulled from cornering another one of his fighters, Miles Johns, in the UFC.

Days later, the UFC announced it was barring its athletes from training with Krause or at his gym. Krause was then suspended by the NAC.

UFC CEO Dana White, who had initially brushed off the issue, revealed things were more serious than he initially believed and added the FBI was involved in the investigation.

“Do you know what the outcome of this is? Like, if I penalize them, you get cut,” White said at the time. “They’re gonna go to f*cking federal prison. Federal. F*cking. Prison. If you’re that f*cking 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.”

According to a lengthy report by ESPN, Krause worked as an agent for offline sportsbook ABCBetting.ag where individuals could place bets through him. Krause offered a line of credit and referral kickbacks.

Minner was released by the UFC in December 2022. In a June 2024 interview with MMA History Podcast, Minner claimed he had not been contacted by any investigative body except the NAC.

Krause largely remained out of the public eye since the investigation launched, though recently began posting real estate advice on his Facebook page. He remains suspended by the NAC.