Unbeaten UFC flying weight Jeff Molina goes to the BKFC.
A 27-year-old hunter from Missouri, Molina was involved in one of the largest UFC scandals in recent memory.
In November 2022, Molina was suspended by the UFC after suspicious gambling activity for a fight between his teammate Darrick Minner and Shayilan Nuerdanbieke. The fight saw a strange movement in gambling lines for Nuerdanbieke to win by Ko before Minner's knee spent it out in a TKO loss of 70 seconds.
Minner did not succeed in making his injury known for fighting and was suspended for two years by the athletic committee of Nevada. Molina and his head coach James Krause were also suspended as a result of the ongoing investigation into deployment on UFC fights, sometimes on their teammates to win and even lose.
Molina still serves his suspension almost 3 years later, after he has asked UFC Chief Business Officer for his release from the Premier Promotion.
After he went through a rough patch last year, Molina says that he is now mentally in a good place, ready to fight again – without gloves.
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
Jeff Molina confirms Post-Uuc Move: 'Nothing can be compared to BKFC'
A 3-0 hunter in the UFC, Molina announced on the Ariel Helwani show that he signed a contract with Bareknuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC).
'With spoken [David] Feldman this morning and I am happy, “said Molina about his BKFC relocation on Monday.
'I have been to dozens of UFCs [events]Some of the biggest cards. I went to the Bolshow. I have probably been up to four or five BKFCs.
“Nothing can be compared to BKFC,” said Molina about the world's largest bareknuckle boxing promotion.
“I say that not only because I recently signed. The entertainment factor is through the roof. There is nothing more exciting. The experience is super cool. The fights are as raw as I can get.”
Since its foundation in 2018, the BKFC has seen a huge increase in popularity.
The Baregle Boxing Promotions have collected former UFC stars in the past, such as Mike Perry, Eddie Alvarez and Jeremy Stephens, who sold out shows with more than 17,000 fans present for their 'Knuckklemania V' event in January.
Jeff Molina wants to become a two -division champion in BKFC
11-2 As a professional in MMA with a decade experience, how will the style of Molina transfer to the square circle?
“I am always imagined like a striker,” explained Molina.
“I love wrestling. I was with Jiu-Jitsu exercise this morning, that would be the only drawback of me that does that bald knuckle, I will not struggle while I am in the camp, but I think my style is perfect for this.”
When it comes to Bareknuckle, Molina has double the championship ambitions that he had in the UFC.
“I can be the face of bare knuckle at 125 and even 135,” said the flying weight.
“I really think I was made for the sport. Certainly, battles can be quite brutal and horrible … [But] Fit. Let's do it.
“I really think I can be a two -division champion. I am 27 years old. I am in the prime of my career. I am training during this time and I am ready to go.”
Jeff Molina says that he does not have a date for his BKFC debut and acknowledges that he might fight outside of Nevada before November, hoping to get some answers to his current suspension.