'War Machine' found guilty on 29 counts in sexual assault case

Former UFC fighter War Machine (born Jonathan Paul Koppenhaver) could be facing life in prison after being convicted on 29 of 34 counts on Monday following a two-week trial in Las Vegas for the kidnapping and sexual assault of ex-girlfriend Christy Mack, per the Associated Press.

The 35-year-old Koppenhaver is expected to be sentenced on June 5, according to Shaun Al-Shatti of MMA Fighting, which will signal the end of a case that began over two years ago.

In August 2014, Koppenhaver was arrested after reportedly invading Mack's home and attacking both her and associate Corey Thomas, with Koppenhaver allegedly attempting to rape her and threatening to kill the two. Mack (born Christine Mackinday) later released gruesome images of the injuries and wounds she suffered in the assault, which included broken bones, bruises all over her body, missing teeth, a fractured rib, and a lacerated liver.

Thomas also suffered injuries to his nose and shoulder as well as bite marks.

The jury was undecided on the two attempted murder charges, but Koppenhaver was found guilty on 29 charges that included sexual assault, kidnapping, and battery.

Koppenhaver's attorney argued that brain injuries from MMA as well as steroids and other drugs may have induced "roid rage" in his client and driven him to his violent actions. Conversely, Mack testified that Koppenhaver had sexually assaulted her and threatened her life on a separate occasion in the past.

"'Now I have to kill you because people saw you trying to escape,''' Mackindale said quoting Koppenhaver, according to the AP. "'Now I have to take you out to the desert and kill you.'''

Following the August 2014 incident, Koppenhaver fled from the authorities before being arrested a week later. He has been in custody in Nevada ever since.

Koppenhaver came to prominence in the MMA sphere after a stint on season six of "The Ultimate Fighter" led to him competing twice for the UFC from 2007-2008. He retired in 2013 with a 14-5 professional record.