The Nevada Athletic Commission is handing suspensions to a pair of UFC athletes.
The regulator of combat sports in the Silver State has suspended UFC fighters Jeff Molina and Darrick Minner following an investigation into an illegal gambling scheme. The illegal gambling scheme drew the attention of the UFC and the Nevada Athletic Commission in November 2022 after monitoring service provider U.S. Integrity flagged suspicious betting activity for a featherweight bout between Minner and Shayilan Nuerdanbiek.
Minner failed to disclose a “serious knee injury’ before his bout with Nuerdanbiek on the UFC’s pre-fight medical questionnaire. Molina, with knowledge of Minner’s knee injury, placed a large wager on Minner’s bout, which ended in a first-round finish for Nuerdanbiek.
Molina admitted to the Nevada Athletic Commission that he had placed a large illicit wager.
“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,” said Attorney General representative Matthew Feely during a disciplinary hearing held by the Nevada Athletic Commission.
As a result of the scheme, Minner has received a 29-month suspension from the Nevada Athletic Commission and has been fined $235 in prosecution fees. Minner, who was released from the UFC after his loss to Nuerdanbiek, will see his suspension lifted on March 25 as he was initially suspended by the Nevada Athletic Commission in 2022.
The sports regulator handed Molina a 36-month suspension. He is also required to pay a $235 fine with his suspension ending on Nov.5, 2025, as it is retroactive to 2022.
The investigation into the scheme also discovered ties between Molina, Minner and former UFC fighter James Krause, who is under investigation for illegal sports betting.
According to an ESPN report, Krause worked as an agent for an offshore sportsbook.
Krause is also currently suspended by the Nevada Athletic Commission. The MMA coach has also seen the UFC suspend his ability to coach and host UFC fighters at his gym.
Gambling rules for the UFC
The UFC has provided its fighters and their teams with explicit rules on sports betting.
In October 2022, the UFC notified its fighters of an update to its athlete code of conduct policy. The update bans fighters, their teams, and associates from wagering on UFC events.
The UFC updated its policy to fall in line with responsible gaming and regulatory standards.
