Skip to content

Ex-MMA fighter gets 36 years to life in kidnap, beating case

nvlas102-65_2017_174649

LAS VEGAS — The former mixed martial arts fighter known as War Machine was sentenced to 36 years to life in prison for kidnapping, beating and sexually assaulting his porn actress ex-girlfriend and attacking her male friend at her Las Vegas home in 2014.

Jonathan Koppenhaver, 35, offered an apology full of self-loathing on Monday and said he'd tried to kill himself, but that he has turned to religion while behind bars.

He'll be 71 before he's eligible for parole in the attacks on Christy Mack and Corey Thomas.

The Associated Press normally does not identify people who say they are victims of sexual assault, but Mack gave AP permission to use her name and has spoken publicly about her experience with domestic violence.

Defence attorney Jay Leiderman says Koppenhaver will appeal.

Ken Ritter, The Associated Press


Looking for National Sports News?

VillageReport.ca viewed on a mobile phone

Check out Village Report - the news that matters most to Canada, updated throughout the day.  Or, subscribe to Village Report's free daily newsletter: a compilation of the news you need to know, sent to your inbox at 6AM.

Subscribe