7 UFC Fighters Who Committed Horrific Crimes
4. Jonathan ‘War Machine’ Koppenhaver
Jonathan Koppenhaver, who legally changed his name to War Machine, made his UFC debut on the Ultimate Fighter reality series back in 2007. The troubled welterweight had two non-exhibition bouts with the promotion, before being released, after rejecting a fight and making controversial remarks about a deceased fighter (Evan Tanner).
Outside of MMA, War Machine also starred in pornographic films and was even dating an adult entertainer named Christy Mack. In 2014, the Ultimate Fighter contestant, who had been previously arrested for violent actions, assaulted his former girlfriend and her associate, a man named Corey Thomas.
During the attack, Mack reportedly suffered several major injuries, including a ruptured liver, missing teeth, and 18 broken bones at the hands of the knife-wielding mixed martial artists. She also claimed that War Machine attempted to sexually assault her. Thomas, who the fighter discovered in bed with Mack, was also beaten before fleeing the crime scene.
In 2017, War Machine was convicted on 29 felony counts stemming from the incident. The 38-year-old received a life sentence with the possibility of parole in 36 years.