According to the sources Jeff Molina was involved in some significant way in the James Krause betting scandal which led to his suspension
The Nevada Athletic Commission has suspended UFC flyweight Jeff Molina as part of its ongoing inquiry into the betting scandal involving his head coach James Krause. Molina was placed on administrative leave on December 15 and will continue to do so while the inquiry is ongoing.
Why is Jeff Molina suspended from UFC due to involvement in James Krause gambling scandal
So Jeff Molina comes out as queer so everyone feels bad for Jefe and forgets about him being suspended by NSAC for his “significant role” in the betting scheme with James Krause at Glory MMA. #UFC286 pic.twitter.com/qMzqivewU5
— Jimmy K. James (@GLORYMMAMOLE) March 17, 2023
🚨 Jeff Molina is now officially SUSPENDED because of a “substantial” involvement in the James Krause gambling scandal
WOW. pic.twitter.com/mGrAGHnBx8
— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) January 17, 2023
“Information has come to light leading to claims regarding respondent Jeff Molina was involved in some meaningful way in the gambling scheme currently under ongoing investigation connected to James Krause,” Nevada deputy attorney general Joel Bekker said during the committee hearing.
Molina is the most recent fighter to be involved in the gaming investigation concerning Krause, who was also suspended by the commission in a formal meeting this past December. Molina is currently classified by the UFC as a top 15 flyweight.
The bigger picture
After Krause’s fighter Darrick Minner was defeated by Shayilan Nuerdanbieke by first-round TKO at UFC Vegas 64, the initial investigation into Krause was launched. In the hours before the fight, betting odds for it drastically changed, with Minner turning into a large underdog at multiple sportsbooks.
The Nevada Athletic Commission then punished Minner in December of last year for failing to disclose an injury prior to the fight. Minner was also fired from the UFC following the start of the investigation.
Is Krause the main culprit?
The New Jersey Division of Gambling Enforcement prohibited sportsbooks from taking bets on any fights involving fighters connected to Krause as a result of that dispute. Due to “bet integrity concerns,” the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario in Canada also issued a directive prohibiting bookmakers from taking bets on any UFC matches.
Krause was then essentially barred from the UFC, and the organisation issued a directive that any fighters on the roster who continued to work with him as a coach or train at his Glory MMA and Fitness gym would not be permitted to compete in the organisation. Krause collaborated with a number of UFC competitors, including Molina and Brandon Moreno, the interim flyweight champion.
It is unclear how precisely Molina is connected to the Krause betting scandal due to the lack of details surrounding the whole inquiry, but it appears there was enough supposedly relevant information for the commission to impose a ban.
As long as the investigation into Krause is underway, Molina will continue to be placed on temporary suspension pending a thorough disciplinary procedure. Molina won’t likely be able to participate until the inquiry is over because all other sports commissions normally follow suspensions issued like the one in Nevada. Molina now has an 11-2 overall record and a 3-0 UFC track record.