Nevada State Athletic Commission Suspends Fighters Amid UFC Betting Scandal
In a significant blow to the UFC, the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) has issued multi-year suspensions to former fighters Darrick Minner and Jeff Molina, following their involvement in a scandal related to betting irregularities. Both penalties are tied to Minner’s notable 67-second TKO loss to Shayilan Nuerdanbieke at a UFC Fight Night event on November 5, 2022, where pre-fight injury information was allegedly misused.
Minner received a 29-month suspension while Molina was hit with a harsher 36-month ban. According to Nevada’s Deputy Attorney General Matthew Feeley, Molina was aware of Minner’s serious injury before the fight and failed to report it, simultaneously placing substantial bets on the match’s outcome. "This was a violation of NAC 467.885," Feeley stated during the NSAC’s Tuesday meeting.
The fallout from the incident has led to a significant shake-up within the UFC, which swiftly severed ties with both Minner and his coach, James Krause. UFC CEO Dana White reacted to the scandal’s implications, emphasizing its seriousness and potential legal consequences. “If I penalize them, they’re going to go f—ing Federal prison,” White remarked, highlighting the gravity of fight fixing.
As part of ongoing measures to address these issues, the UFC has banned fighters from associating with Krause or training at his gym until government investigations conclude. Molina will be eligible to compete again after November 5, 2025, while Minner’s suspension renders him eligible for competition starting March 26, 2025.
The scandal has raised serious concerns about the integrity of the sport, prompting sportsbooks to rethink their operations in light of potential fight tampering. The commission’s actions signal a strong stance against corruption within mixed martial arts.
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