BKFC Walks Back Jeff Molina Signing After Realising Fighter Is Banned

Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship retracts signing of suspended ex-UFC star over betting scandal

It looked like another big-name crossover for Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) when they announced the signing of former UFC flyweight Jeff Molina. But within 24 hours, the promotion backtracked, issuing a public retraction after being reminded that Molina is currently serving a three-year suspension for his role in a high-profile betting scandal.

On Tuesday, BKFC excitedly shared the news of Molina’s signing across their social media platforms. The 27-year-old had shown promise in the UFC before his career was derailed by disciplinary action, and his addition seemed in line with BKFC’s trend of snapping up former MMA names. However, it didn’t take long before the announcement was met with confusion—and criticism—given that Molina is currently banned from competing in combat sports under the jurisdiction of both the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) and the Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC).

By Wednesday, the promotion had issued a brief but clear statement: they had jumped the gun.

“Yesterday’s announcement regarding Jeff Molina’s signing was premature,” BKFC posted on X, formerly Twitter. “We respect the ABC’s current suspension and will honour their rules and suspensions.”

A Promising Career Derailed

Molina’s fall from grace was swift. A product of the UFC’s Contender Series and a member of James Krause’s now-infamous Glory MMA team, he burst onto the UFC scene in 2021 and rattled off three straight wins. His performances were sharp, his potential clear. But behind the scenes, trouble was brewing.

The scandal that eventually led to his ban stemmed from a November 2022 fight between Darrick Minner and Shayilan Nuerdanbieke. Minner, Molina’s teammate, entered the octagon carrying a previously undisclosed injury—a significant breach of competition integrity. Just moments before the bout, a surge of suspicious betting activity heavily favoured Nuerdanbieke to win by first-round stoppage. That’s exactly what happened, and the red flags went up.

An investigation revealed that Molina had insider knowledge of Minner’s condition and placed bets accordingly. His admission to being involved with an illegal betting ring connected to Krause led to a three-year suspension from all combat sports, issued in March 2025 by the NSAC and enforced across ABC-sanctioned states.

BKFC’s Stumble: Mistake or Misjudgment?

Jeff Molina: BKFC retract announcement confirming signing of ex-UFC fighter

The retraction from BKFC raises a few eyebrows. How did such a major oversight happen in the first place? While the promotion didn’t elaborate beyond calling the announcement “premature,” it’s clear that due diligence was either missed or ignored.

BKFC has become something of a haven for former UFC fighters looking to continue their careers in a rawer, more brutal format. From Mike Perry and Chad Mendes to former champions like Luke Rockhold and Eddie Alvarez, the promotion has built a niche by capitalising on familiar names with built-in fan bases. Adding Molina—despite the baggage—might have made sense from a marketing point of view, but the timing couldn’t have been worse.

Publicly announcing the signing of a currently banned fighter undermines the legitimacy that BKFC has been slowly trying to build. It also opens the door to criticism around how seriously the organisation takes issues of sporting integrity—especially when gambling violations are involved.

Jeff Molina: From Rising Star to Redemption Story?

Before the scandal, Molina had the makings of a future contender. His fighting style was exciting and aggressive, and he carried himself with a confidence that made him one to watch in the flyweight division. But since being suspended, his name has become more associated with controversy than competition.

It’s worth noting that Molina didn’t just quietly accept the ban. He admitted fault, which in itself is rare in cases like these. His cooperation likely contributed to the length of his suspension being set at three years instead of something longer. Whether that signals a path to redemption or simply a tactical move is open to interpretation.

Still, the idea that he could return to action in 2028 is not far-fetched—especially in a combat sports world that often embraces comeback narratives. If he stays in shape and keeps a low profile, Molina might well find himself with another opportunity when his ban ends.

BKFC and the Fine Line Between Opportunity and Risk

BKFC’s quick growth has been fuelled largely by its willingness to take risks. Whether that’s promoting controversial figures, hosting bizarre matchups, or creating highlight-reel chaos inside a ring without gloves, they’ve never shied away from publicity—good or bad.

But with that comes a responsibility, especially when dealing with fighters carrying baggage as serious as Molina’s. Betting scandals strike at the heart of combat sports’ credibility. While fans might forgive brash behaviour or personal issues, anything that compromises the integrity of the results is a far tougher sell.

In this case, it appears BKFC recognised the optics quickly enough to reverse course. Whether they truly weren’t aware of Molina’s suspension or thought it wouldn’t matter remains unclear. Either way, it’s a reminder that in today’s tightly connected fight world, nothing goes unnoticed.

Who’s Next for BKFC?

Despite the misstep, BKFC will continue hunting for ex-UFC talent. It’s part of their brand now. In just a few years, they’ve transitioned from a niche experiment to a legitimate player in the combat sports ecosystem.

With fighters like Mike Perry now headlining major cards and crossover events gaining traction, BKFC has shown that there’s room in the market for a more visceral, stripped-down style of fighting. But as the promotion matures, these kinds of errors—like announcing a fighter still under suspension—will need to be fewer and further between.

As for Jeff Molina, the spotlight he once enjoyed is dimmed, for now. Whether he returns to fighting, in BKFC or elsewhere, will depend not just on the end of his suspension, but on whether the combat sports world is ready to give him a second chance.