UFC Fighter inspected investigations for illegal gambling

LAS VEGAS — Two fighters in connection with a federal investigation into an illegal betting scheme involving former UFC fighters and coach James Krauss have been formal sanctioned by the Nevada Athletics Commission.

At the monthly NAC meeting on Tuesday, UFC flyweight Jeff Molina and former UFC featherweight Darik Minner held disciplinary hearings before the committee, both of which were suspended for multiple years.

Molina received a three-year suspension and was fined with a $235.56 prosecutor’s fee for failing to disclose the injury to his teammate Minner, and placed a big bet on the battle. The Morina suspension expires on November 5th, 2025.

“Molina, who has first-hand knowledge of the serious injuries sustained by her fellow fighter, Darrick Minner, has failed to notify the committee that she had placed a big bet on the game group in the fight against Minner, instead of notifying the committee,” Attorney General Matthew Feely said.

Mina was suspended for 29 months and fined $235.56 on prosecutors’ fees after “failing to disclose the serious injuries he maintained in his knee” before November 5, 2022. The suspension will be retroactive. In other words, Minner is eligible to return to action on March 26, 2025.

“(The failure occurred) in particular, in his pre-match medical survey, “Have you ever had an injury to the elbow, hands, knee, ankle or foot that requires evaluation or examination?” Minner responded by checking the box saying no,” Ferry said.

Ferry said Molina admitted to his violation but presented a letter to the committee explaining his side of the story. The contents of the letter have not been made public.

Morina had been suspended since January 2023 after the committee declared “substantial” involvement in a “game scheme” in which Coach Klaus is involved. Minner, half of the match that caused an investigation due to an unusual bet line move, was suspended in December 2022 after the committee said it had not disclosed the injury.

Neither fighter has competed since Minna’s rapid defeat to Sheylan Nuerdanbieke in November 2022. Minner appeared to be immediately hampered by a leg injury before being terminated by Nuerdanbieke Strikes.

Shortly after the match, US integrity began an investigation, with some game committees banning UFC fights from wagering. A few weeks after the match, Krause was drawn from cornering Miles Johns, another of his fighters, in the UFC.

A few days later, the UFC announced that athletes were banning training with Klaus or gyms. Klaus was then interrupted by the NAC.

UFC CEO Dana White first brushed the issue off, but revealed it was more serious than he initially believed, adding that the FBI was involved in the investigation.

“Do you know what the outcome of this is? If I punish them, you’ll be cut off,” White said. “They are going to go to federal prisons. federal. f*cking. prisk. If you’re stupid and someone else wants to do it, knock yourself out. You’ll ruin your life, don’t go to jail, don’t have enough money to go to federal prison.”

According to a long report from ESPN, Krause worked as an agent for offline Sportsbook ABCBetting.ag. Krause provided credits and referral kickbacks.

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

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