Former UFC prospect signs with the BKFC following three years of suspension due to illegal betting

November 5, 2025, turned the tide for three athletes in the world of MMA when head coach James Krause, Jeff Molina, and Darrick Minner were suspended on the grounds of a suspected illegal betting scandal. Minner was suspended for not revealing a knee injury prior to the bout, which eventually led to his defeat against Shayilan Nuerdanbieke. Molina, on the other hand, was suspended for placing an illegal bet on Minner’s bout while keeping his teammate’s injury a secret. After more than two years, Molina, in a recent interview with Ariel Helwani, revealed his future plans to move away from the UFC and join the BKFC.
Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship has garnered significant popularity since its launch in 2018. While talking to Ariel Helwani, former UFC prospect Jeff Molina talked about how the fighter might not wait till November 5, 2025, to get over with his suspension. Instead, he plans to move out of the UFC and step into the BKFC. The flyweight fighter announced his new step at the Ariel Helwani Show.
“I am super excited to announce. I am signing with BKFC. Talked with Feldman this morning and I’m stoked. ” he continued to express his experience at the promotion, “10 on 10 would recommend man. It’s th experience. Like 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. 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”

The fighter even went on to explain the combat pattern that is common in the promotion.
“I’ve always been fancied as a striker. I love grappling. I was at jiu-jitsu practice this morning, that would be the only downside of me doing bare knuckle is, I won’t grapple while I’m in camp, but I think my style is perfect for this.” Molina revealed his unfulfilled desire to be a two division champion. “I can be the the face of bare knuckle at 125 and even 135. I really I think I was made for the sport. Certainly, fights can be pretty brutal and gruesome… But f*** 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.”
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Even though the fighter was scheduled to step back into the Octagon once the suspension would have been over towards the end of the year, Molina will now end his UFC career with a record of 3-0. The date for his BKFC debut has not been announced yet.