The world of UFC and MMA in general are full of fighters who are excellent human beings. There are fighters like Khabib Nurmagomedov who are extremely loyal to his close ones and is not afraid of spending nearly $1 million on his cousin’s fight camp. Khabib’s former rival, Dustin Poirier, also runs “The Good Fight” foundation charity and does his best to help people in need. However, then there’s “War Machine.”
For fans who are not aware, former MMA fighter Jon Koppenhaver is the above-mentioned “War Machine.” He last had a fight against Ron Keslar at Bellator 104. But Jon’s fighting career started in February 2004, against Angel Santibanez at Total Combat 2. Koppenhaver beat Santibanez via first-round TKO and kicked off his MMA career on a high note.
He then amassed a 4-1 MMA record before finding a slot on The Ultimate Fighter Season 6 finale. Jon beat Jared Rollins via KO in round 3. But, he failed to build on it and lost to Yoshiyuki Yoshida via submission in the first round at UFC 84. The California native was then let go from the promotion and never got a chance to make a return to the Octagon. His UFC record stands at 1-1.
Although he went on to win five fights in a row afterward, Koppenhaver failed to make it back to the UFC. Before finally walking away from the sport, Jon held an MMA record of 14-5. He boasted a terrific 100% finishing rate and never lost a bout via KO. Despite being an impressive MMA fighter, Koppenhaver’s legacy will forever be his legal troubles and the harrowing assault on his former girlfriend Christy Mack.
Why was War Machine sent to prison for life?
Jon Koppenhaver aka War Machine is no stranger to legal trouble. In 2007, the MMA fighter admitted to punching and choking a man and was ordered to pay a fine of $2,300 and had to complete a 30-day community service. According to MMA Junkies, Jon was signed to UFC on a 10-fight deal and it was the reason why Judge Frank Brown passed a reduced sentence as a felony charge would have canceled the deal.
In 2010, he pled guilty to two charges of assault after a bar brawl. On one occasion, War Machine reportedly swept bottles off a bar and assaulted a female bartender. After that, he also admitted to assaulting a bouncer with a deadly weapon. At the time of his arrest, the cops had to put a spit bag on his head. The incident led to Koppenhaver being sent to jail for a year but had to serve over two years.
However, the most infamous crime on his rap sheet remains his felony assault on his former partner Christy Mack. As per reports online, Jon Koppenhaver (legally known as War Machine), started dating adult film actress Christy Mack in 2013. War Machine had a history of doing pornographic movies himself and made his adult film industry debut in 2009. Alongside Mack, War Machine also made an appearance in a 2014 issue of Hustler Magazine.
“@ChristyMack: Added below are the graphic photos and story about what happened http://t.co/3UZsbVRCLH”.
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FIND THIS PUSSY & BRING HIM IN!— The Mailman (@OBTheMailman) August 12, 2014
But their relationship did not stand the test of time and Mack ended up splitting with Jon in 2014. However, War Machine had a run-in with Mack and her new boyfriend Corey Thomas. Enraged by Mack’s new boyfriend, Jon ended up assaulting Thomas first and reportedly threatened him not to inform the authorities. Afterward, he turned his attention to Mack and apparently r*ped and assaulted her for 2 hours.
Will War Machine ever get bail?
The incident led to Mack suffering a stab wound, three fractured ribs, 12 broken teeth, and 18 broken bones on her face. After his heinous crimes, War Machine attempted to flee the scene. However, the former TNA wrestler was caught eventually. After a long trial, War Machine was convicted of 29 charges which included multiple battery charges, coercion, first-degree kidnapping, and burglary.
While Koppenhaver’s lawyers wanted another trial for the case, the judge came to the conclusion that there was enough evidence to carry out the sentencing. On the day of the sentencing, Christy Mack was present inside the courtroom and added that she was still concerned for her life if War Machine was not locked up inside the jail. The fighter was ultimately put behind bars for 36 years with the possibility of parole only in 2053.
However, despite being locked in jail, War Machine found ways to be in the headlines. The fighter reportedly attempted suicide by hanging himself in his jail cell. However, the incident took place in 2014 before his trial. Almost one year after his lifetime sentencing, Jon Koppenhaver got engaged to his pen-pal Ashley Farrington in 2018. But as a result of Nevada not granting conjugal visits, the pair are yet to consummate their marriage.