UFC Fighter Jeff Molina Came Out as Bisexual: 'Not The Way I Wanted to Do This'
UFC fighter Jeff Molina has come out as bisexual, reports BBC.com.
The 25-year-old American flyweight said it was "not the way I wanted to do this" after a private video of him was leaked on Thursday.
"Molina is going through a tough time because his MMA career is on hold. He got suspended by the Nevada State Athletic Commission after getting linked to a UFC gambling investigation that involved his Glory MMA coach James Krause. He was supposed to fight Jimmy Flick on Jan. 14 before the NSAC suspended him. It is unclear what the investigation status is at the moment," reports the sports website MMA News.
But the leaked video has turned attention to his personal life.
Molina, who made his UFC debut in 2021, is the first active male UFC fighter to publicly state they are not heterosexual.
"The chance to do it when I was ready was taken from me," Molina said on social media.
"I've tried to keep my dating life private from social media.
"I've dated girls my whole life and suppressed feelings I had throughout high school on the wrestling team, throughout college pursuing MMA, and even after making part of the dream happen and getting into the UFC.
"The thought of my buddies, team-mates and [people] I look up to looking at me different - let alone treating me different - for something I can't control was something I couldn't fathom."
Molina also said, "...In a sport like this, where majority of the fans being homophobic c**ks**kers they are, I didn't see myself doing this during this part of my career. I wanted to be known for my skills and what I've dedicated the last 11 years of my life to not and not the "bi ufc fighter" that I'm sure would just be translated to "gay UFC fighter," said Molina.
"Molina, 25, unexpectedly found himself in the spotlight last June after he shared on social media that he was excited to wear the UFC's Pride Month shorts for his fight against Zhalgas Zhumagulov at UFC Fight Night 207. Molina went on to win a split decision," writes the website MMA Junkie.
While many tweeted their support, UFC fighter Sean Strickland threw shade Molina's way, calling a "planned leak" due to his suspension, reports the Daily Mail.
After being accused of making a homophobic comment a year ago, Strickland said: "By the way, dude, when I make fun of gays, dude, I fuckin', I love gay men!" Strickland said in a video shared by TheMacLife. "Gay men are awesome."
The fighter, who has made himself a rep for spouting off-the-wall commentary, then went on to say that "gay men look at me like they wanna fuck me, and I respect that! They compliment me, they slide [in my DMs], I get some dick pics every now and then."