Former UFC standout Jeff Molina is headed to Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship.
In November 2022, Molina was suspended by the UFC after suspicious betting activity was detected ahead of a fight between his teammate Darrick Minner and Shayilan Nuerdanbieke. Sportsbooks reportedly observed unusual movement in the betting lines favoring Nuerdanbieke to win the bout by knockout.
70 seconds into the scrap, Minner’s knee gave out, resulting in a TKO stoppage for Nuerdanbieke. Minner had failed to disclose a pre-fight injury and, as a result, was suspended by the Nevada State Athletic Commission for two years. Additionally, Molina and his coach, James Krause, were suspended after it was determined that they had wagered on fights featuring their teammates.
Molina is still serving a three-year suspension, but it looks like the Missouri native is finally ready to move on.
During an appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, ‘El Jefe’ announced that he had signed a deal with the BKFC.
“Talked with [David] Feldman this morning and I’m stoked,” Molina said of his move to bare-knuckle on Monday.
“I’ve been to dozens of UFC’s [events], some of the biggest cards. I went to the Sphere Show. I’ve been to probably four or five BKFC’s. Nothing compares to BKFC,” Molina said of the world’s largest bareknuckle boxing promotion. I’m not just saying that because I’ve recently signed. The entertainment factor is through the roof. There’s nothing more exciting. The experience is is super cool. The fights are as raw as I can get.”
Molina ready to take his UFC dreams to the BKFC
Once upon a time, Molina had dreamed of becoming a two-division champion inside the Octagon. Instead, he’ll carry that goal into the squared circle, where he believes he can take over both the flyweight and bantamweight divisions.
“I can be the face of bare knuckle at 125 and even 135,” he said. “I really I think I was made for the sport. Certainly, fights can be pretty brutal and gruesome… [But] f*ck it. Let’s do it. I really think I can be a two-division champ. I’m 27 years old. I’m in the prime of my career. I’ve been training throughout this time, and I’m ready to go.”
Overall, Molina is 11-2 in mixed martial arts with his last career loss coming nearly eight years ago in what was just his third professional bout.
