War Machine sentenced to life in prison in sexual assault case
On Monday, former UFC and Bellator MMA fighter War Machine - birth name Jonathan Paul Koppenhaver - was handed an aggregate sentence of 36 years to life in prison for the 2014 kidnapping and sexual assault of ex-girlfriend Christy Mack (nee Christine Mackinday), per Antonio Castelan of NBC KSNV News 3.
He was found guilty on 29 of 34 counts, including sexual assault, kidnapping, and battery by a Las Vegas jury in March, and will be 71 years of age by the time he's eligible for parole.
Related: 'War Machine' found guilty on 29 counts in sexual assault case
Koppenhaver reportedly broke into Mack's home on Aug. 8, 2014 and assaulted her boyfriend Corey Thomas upon finding them in her bedroom. Thomas sustained a broken nose and a dislocated shoulder, among other injuries.
Koppenhaver then proceeded to severely beat Mack, who suffered broken teeth, a fractured rib, and ruptured liver. He also allegedly attempted to rape Mack and threatened to kill both her and Thomas. Mack managed to flee to a neighbor's house while Koppenhaver searched the house for a knife with which to take her life. She later released photos of her injuries.
The ex-fighter went on the run following the assault and was arrested a week later at a hotel in Simi Valley, Calif. He later attempted suicide while in custody, but has since claimed to have found religion behind bars.
Koppenhaver was released from his Bellator contract when news of the assault broke. He holds a professional record of 14-5.