Insider Betting and Unreported Injury Led to the Suspension of Two UFC Athletes

MMA athlete Jeff Molina has been accused of leveraging inside information to wager on a UFC match in 2022. The fighter was aware of an injury a fellow fighter had sustained and leveraged this information to place a privileged bet.

Hearing Revealed Two Players Were Suspended for Violations

In November 2022, Darrick Minner faced off against Shayilan Nuerdanbieke in a game that was eventually flagged for unusual betting patterns. As it turned out, Minner had sustained a leg injury before the fight – something Molina knew of.

While Minner hadn’t told officials of his injury, Molina was well aware of it and used the information to place wagers on the match against Nuerdanbieke. However, sportsbooks ended up noticing the suspicious activity, triggering an investigation.

The Nevada Athletic Commission (NAC) eventually understood that Minner had been injured and that Molina had direct knowledge of this undisclosed injury. The commission also understood that Molina had placed significant bets on the game, knowing full well that Minner was at a disadvantage.

Minner Lost the Game Quickly

For reference, Nuerdanbieke won the match against Minner by a landslide. The latter player was knocked out during the first round, which aligned with a suspicious number of wagers.

Just ahead of the game, sportsbooks had seen heavy wagering against Minner. Many wagers also counted on Minner losing in fewer than 2 and a half rounds.

This caused a stark shift in Neurdanbieke’s odds, as they changed from -220 to -440.

Molina and Minner Were Suspended for Three Years

Molina was suspended in 2023 and, according to the NAC, admitted to violating the UFC’s code, failing to inform the commission of Minner’s injury and placing privileged bets. Because of that, he was suspended for three years.

In a hearing on Tuesday, Nevada deputy attorney general Matthew Feeley clarified that the suspension is set to expire this November. Feeley also noted that Molina had sent a letter to the NAC, in which he outlined his view on the situation.

Molina, Minner and the UFC Did Not Comment

According to media giant ESPN, Molina was not present during the hearing and did not respond to requests for comment. This also applied to Minner, who was likewise found guilty of violating the UFC’s rules, and the UFC itself.

Speaking of Minner, the athlete was also suspended because of his failure to report his leg injury before the fight with Nuerdanbieke. According to Feeley, Minner’s suspension is set to expire on March 29.

Both players have not competed since their suspensions.