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War Machine (mixed martial artist)

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War Machine
Mugshot of War Machine after his arrest by U.S. Marshals in 2014
BornJonathan Paul Koppenhaver
(1981-11-30) November 30, 1981 (age 43)
Simi Valley, California, U.S.
Height5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight170 lb (77 kg; 12 st)
DivisionWelterweight
Reach72.0 in (183 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Fighting out ofSan Diego, California
TeamTeam Undisputed
RankBlack belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu[1]
Years active2004–2013
Mixed martial arts record
Total19
Wins14
By knockout8
By submission6
Losses5
By submission4
By decision1
UniversityThe Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Criminal information
StatusIncarcerated
Conviction(s)
Criminal penaltyLife imprisonment with the possibility of parole after 36 years
Details
InjuredChristy Mack, Corey Thomas
WeaponKitchen knife
Date apprehended
August 15, 2014
Imprisoned atHigh Desert State Prison, Nevada

War Machine (born Jonathan Paul Koppenhaver[a]; November 30, 1981) is an American former professional mixed martial artist[3][4] and convicted felon.

Koppenhaver had a 14–5 overall record in MMA fighting in various MMA promotions, including Bellator MMA and the UFC. He competed in the welterweight division. He was a fighter on The Ultimate Fighter: Team Hughes vs. Team Serra as part of Team Serra and also competed for Bellator MMA, Tachi Palace Fights, BAMMA, and the Xtreme Fighting Championships. He also appeared in several pornographic films.[5]

In March 2017, Koppenhaver was convicted on 29 felony counts of rape, kidnapping, domestic battery, and other charges after sexually assaulting and beating his ex-girlfriend, pornographic film actress Christy Mack, and her then-boyfriend Corey Thomas in 2014. In June 2017, he was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 36 years.[1]

Early life

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Koppenhaver was born in the Los Angeles suburb of Simi Valley. His German-American father was an officer for the Los Angeles Police Department. His Mexican-American mother worked as a nurse and later became a work-at-home mother.[6] Due to his mother's drug addiction, Koppenhaver would often take care of his younger brother and sister.[6] When he was 13, Koppenhaver suffered a personal trauma when he unsuccessfully performed CPR on his father after he suffered a heart attack.[7]

In August 2000, Koppenhaver attended The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina, for two years but was expelled for "poor behavior".[8] While attending, he majored in biology.[8] In an interview, Koppenhaver claimed that he had been earning high marks at The Citadel.[6]

Mixed martial arts career

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The Ultimate Fighter Season Six

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Koppenhaver was a fighter on The Ultimate Fighter: Team Hughes vs. Team Serra, fighting on Team Serra. He was not part of the original 16 fighters.[9] Instead, Koppenhaver was brought in as a replacement when Roman Mitichyan broke his elbow during evaluations and was sent home.[10] Koppenhaver lost by unanimous decision to Tom Speer.[11] After a dispute with TNA Wrestling over the use of his nickname, he legally changed his name from "Jon Koppenhaver" to "War Machine" in 2008.[12]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

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In War Machine's official UFC debut, he defeated Jared Rollins in The Ultimate Fighter: Team Hughes vs Team Serra Finale via KO at 2:01 of the third round. War Machine and Rollins both received $25,000 due to winning fight of the night honors and War Machine winning knockout of the night. His last UFC fight was at UFC 84 against Yoshiyuki Yoshida which he lost via submission in the first round.[13]

He was released from the UFC after rejecting a fight offered by UFC matchmaker Joe Silva, and after comments made about the death of fellow UFC fighter Evan Tanner. War Machine posted on his Myspace that he believed that Tanner had gone to the isolated southern California desert to kill himself after he realized his career might have been over and basically had made no money during it. Medical examiners eventually ruled that Tanner's death was not a suicide, but War Machine stood by his statements.[14]

Bellator Fighting Championships

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War Machine was signed and then released by Bellator Fighting Championships. His MySpace blog cited disparaging comments about Barack Obama as the cause for his non-participation in their upcoming tournament.[15][unreliable source?][16]

Independent promotions (2009–2011)

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On June 20, 2009, War Machine was set to fight Roger Bowling.[17] They were then set to fight at XFC 9 in Tampa, Florida on September 5, where it was to be the main event and would broadcast live over HDNet's website.[18]

On September 5, 2009, War Machine stepped into the cage and faced off against Mikey Gomez. The ref stopped the fight, giving a somewhat controversial win to War Machine by TKO (punches), at 13 seconds in the third round.[19] War Machine was scheduled to fight October 3, 2009 against Jacob McClintock, but cancelled the fight so he could fight on October 8, 2009, against David Mitchell.

On April 17, 2010, he was set to face Tex Johnson in the main event of Wild Bill's Fight Night.[20] On April 16, TMZ.com reported that War Machine left a comment on his Twitter, stating he would not be turning up to the event for the fight.[21]

Return to Bellator Fighting Championships

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On December 7, 2011, it was announced that War Machine was re-signed to an exclusive deal with Bellator Fighting Championships and would be competing in its Season 6 Welterweight Tournament.[22] War Machine was expected to fight Karl Amoussou in the opening round of the welterweight tournament at Bellator 63. War Machine was sentenced to a year in prison for the prior assault in Las Vegas, Nevada from December 2009 and was forced out of the bout and the tournament.[23]

War Machine was set to make his Bellator debut on January 17, 2013, against Paul Daley when he tore his ACL and broke his fibula which forced him out of the fight.[24] War Machine faced Blas Avena at Bellator 96 on June 19, 2013.[25] He won via TKO due to punches in round one. War Machine then took part in Bellator MMA's Season Nine Welterweight Tournament at Bellator 100 against Vaughn Anderson in the Quarterfinals.[26] He won via technical submission due to a rear naked choke in the second round. War Machine then faced Ron Keslar on October 18, 2013, at Bellator 104 in the semifinals of the Season Nine Welterweight Tournament. He lost via technical submission due to a rear naked choke in the first round. On August 8, 2014, Bellator MMA announced the release of War Machine after he assaulted and raped his former girlfriend, pornographic film actress Christy Mack.[27]

Adult film career

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On October 31, 2009, War Machine announced that he would pursue a career in pornographic films along with fighting mixed martial arts.[5] In his announcement, War Machine revealed that he had signed with LA Direct Models and made his debut scene with pornographic actress Riley Steele.[5] War Machine was featured in the January 2014 issue of Hustler magazine in a nude pictorial with Christy Mack.[28]

Arrests and convictions

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On September 2, 2007, Koppenhaver was found guilty of striking a Las Vegas man in the face and choking him unconscious during a parking lot scuffle.[29] In February 2008, he was sentenced to three years of probation and 30 days of community service, avoiding the possible felony charge and accompanying prison time.[29] On February 22, 2008, Koppenhaver pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of assault and battery, and was fined and sentenced to probation.[30]

In August 2010, Koppenhaver was sentenced to one year in the county jail for a felony assault conviction stemming from a fight at a Point Loma bar earlier in the year, as well as an additional fight at a bar in Pacific Beach, San Diego.[31][32] He was imprisoned in San Diego's George Bailey County Detention Facility, mostly in solitary confinement. After going to jail, War Machine maintained his Twitter account as well as a blog documenting his time in jail.[33] On February 1, 2012, it was announced via Koppenhaver's Twitter that he would be serving another year of jail time due to preceding events. He was released on October 29, 2012, after serving two years and two months. He was released out of solitary confinement.[34][35]

Assault of Christy Mack and Corey Thomas

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Sometime in April 2013, Koppenhaver began dating adult film actress Christy Mack.[36][37] Mack, nearly 10 years Koppenhaver's junior, was a leading figure in the adult film industry at the time. She described their relationship as passionate, but also said Koppenhaver was physically and mentally abusive and controlling. On August 8, 2014, Koppenhaver brutally assaulted Mack and her then-boyfriend Corey Thomas in Mack's home in Las Vegas. He targeted Thomas first and attacked him for 10 minutes. Koppenhaver then put Thomas in a chokehold, only to be let go after he was made to swear not to go to the authorities. After Thomas escaped, Koppenhaver then set upon Mack, whom he assaulted for two full hours.[38] Koppenhaver raped Mack, cut her with a knife and severely beat her. Mack only managed to escape via a balcony once Koppenhaver's back was turned, after which she went to the house of a neighbor, who promptly called 911. Mack was hospitalized, where it was found that she suffered 18 broken facial bones, a broken nose, 12 missing teeth, a fractured rib and critically ruptured liver.[39]

On August 15, Koppenhaver, who had managed to elude the authorities while on the run for a week, was apprehended after posting self-pitying tweets, which enabled authorities to trace the IP location of his cell phone. Koppenhaver was arrested in Simi Valley, California, by U.S. Marshals and Simi Valley police after resisting arrest, and was then extradited to Nevada where he was charged with 36 felony counts, including multiple attempted murder, kidnapping, rape and sexual assault charges.[40] According to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, Koppenhaver was found unresponsive in his cell by a corrections officer.[41][42] The cell officer found Koppenhaver struggling to breathe, with a torn piece of linen around his neck that was tied to the leg of his bunk bed. After the officer cut the linen, Koppenhaver's vitals stabilized within 15 minutes, and he was moved to a medical ward, where he was placed on suicide watch. In a suicide note found in his cell, he quoted philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche twice to explain his actions.[43][better source needed] The incident occurred on the same day he was supposed to appear in court to discuss a plea deal.[44][45]

His trial, originally scheduled for September 2015, was postponed twice before beginning in February 2017.[46][47][48] On March 20, 2017, he was convicted on 29 of 36 felony counts, including kidnapping and sexual assault with a weapon, for which he faced life in prison. The jury deadlocked on two counts of attempted murder.[49] Koppenhaver was represented by Jay Leiderman and Brandon Sua.[50] On June 5, 2017, Koppenhaver was sentenced to an aggregate sentence of life in prison with a possibility of parole after 36 years.[51]

Mixed martial arts record

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Professional record breakdown
19 matches 14 wins 5 losses
By knockout 8 0
By submission 6 4
By decision 0 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 14–5 Ron Keslar Technical Submission (rear-naked choke) Bellator 104 October 18, 2013 1 3:31 Cedar Rapids, Iowa, United States Bellator Season Nine Welterweight Tournament Semifinal.
Win 14–4 Vaughn Anderson Technical Submission (rear-naked choke) Bellator 100 September 20, 2013 2 4:01 Phoenix, Arizona, United States Bellator Season Nine Welterweight Tournament Quarterfinal.
Win 13–4 Blas Avena TKO (punches) Bellator 96 June 19, 2013 1 3:55 Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States
Win 12–4 Roger Huerta TKO (punches) UWF 1: Huerta vs. War Machine November 26, 2011 3 3:09 Pharr, Texas, United States
Loss 11–4 John Alessio Technical Submission (rear-naked choke) TPF 5: Stars and Strikes July 9, 2010 3 2:24 Lemoore, California, United States
Win 11–3 Zach Light Submission (rear-naked choke) BAMMA 3 May 15, 2010 1 1:09 Birmingham, England
Loss 10–3 David Mitchell Decision (split) TPF 1: Tachi Palace Fights 1 October 8, 2009 3 5:00 Lemoore, California, United States
Win 10–2 Mikey Gomez TKO (punches) XFC 9: Evolution September 5, 2009 3 0:13 Tampa, Florida, United States
Win 9–2 Erick Montano Submission (armbar) Total Combat 33 July 11, 2009 3 0:47 Mexico City, Mexico
Win 8–2 Tim Woods Submission (rear-naked choke) UWC 6: Capital Punishment April 25, 2009 2 4:16 Fairfax, Virginia, United States
Win 7–2 Guillaume DeLorenzi Submission (rear-naked choke) XMMA 7: Inferno February 27, 2009 1 4:13 Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Win 6–2 David Anderson KO (punches) Desert Rage 4 November 8, 2008 1 2:26 Yuma, Arizona, United States
Loss 5–2 Yoshiyuki Yoshida Technical Submission (anaconda choke) UFC 84 May 24, 2008 1 0:56 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 5–1 Jared Rollins KO (punches) The Ultimate Fighter 6 Finale December 8, 2007 3 2:01 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Knockout of the Night. Fight of the Night.
Win 4–1 RJ Gamez TKO (punches) Total Combat 16: Annihilation September 9, 2006 1 2:09 San Diego, California, United States
Loss 3–1 Mike O'Donnell Submission (armbar) GFC: Team Gracie vs Team Hammer House March 3, 2006 2 4:02 Columbus, Ohio, United States
Win 3–0 Andrew Ramirez TKO (corner stoppage) Total Combat 9 July 30, 2005 1 1:08 Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico
Win 2–0 Frank Duffy Submission (rear-naked choke) Total Combat 4 July 25, 2004 1 0:25 Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico
Win 1–0 Angel Santibanez TKO (punch) Total Combat 2 February 29, 2004 1 1:00 Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico

Championships and accomplishments

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See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ His legal name was changed to War Machine in 2008.[2]

References

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  1. ^ a b Myers, Thomas. "Judge denies War Machine's motion for new trial, sentences him to life in prison for Christy Mack attack". MSN. Archived from the original on May 1, 2018.
  2. ^ "Jon Koppenhaver legally changes name to 'War Machine'". MMAmania.com. August 28, 2008. Retrieved January 23, 2014.
  3. ^ James, Dustin (August 27, 2008). "UFC News: UFC/WEC Merger, TNA Wrestling Causes UFC Name Change, More". 411mania. Retrieved July 7, 2012.
  4. ^ "Mixed Martial Arts Show Results" (PDF). Nevada Athletic Commission. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 6, 2009. Retrieved July 7, 2012.
  5. ^ a b c Zeus (October 31, 2009). "War Machine has left MMA, dude's a pornstar now". Middle Easy. Archived from the original on November 3, 2009.
  6. ^ a b c MMA Uncensored Live: Exclusive: Extended War Machine Interview (Part 1 of 2) (Television production). Spike. March 15, 2012. Retrieved July 7, 2012.
  7. ^ Pia, Brian (September 24, 2015). "A Monster Among Us?: The Dark Descent of War Machine". Bleacher Report. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  8. ^ a b "Jon Koppenhaver". Ultimate Fighting Championship. Retrieved July 7, 2012.
  9. ^ Meltzer, Dave (August 27, 2007). "Participants in Ultimate Fighter season six are announced". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on October 24, 2007.
  10. ^ Doyle, Alicia (October 30, 2007). "Simi man gets real on 'Ultimate Fighter': Mixed martial artist eyes prized contract". Ventura County Star. Archived from the original on November 2, 2007. Retrieved July 7, 2012.
  11. ^ Levick, Bryan (June 4, 2011). "The Top Six Ultimate Fighter Finale Fights". Bleacher Report. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  12. ^ "UFC News: Jon Koppenhaver Legally Changes His Name To 'War Machine'". Cage Today. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved February 28, 2021.
  13. ^ "UFC 84 Results: Penn Defeats Sherk- MMA News & Views". Mma-zone.com. May 25, 2008. Archived from the original on May 31, 2008. Retrieved January 23, 2014.
  14. ^ Gerbasi, Thomas (March 18, 2008). "Koppenhaver Returns as Two Welterweight Bouts are added to UFC 84". UFC.com. Retrieved March 18, 2008.
  15. ^ "Thank God for consistency". Fightlinker. February 5, 2009. Archived from the original on February 7, 2009. Retrieved February 28, 2021.
  16. ^ War Machine (Jon Koppenhaver) cut by Bellator Fighting Championships
  17. ^ Levick, Bryan (March 24, 2009). "Jon 'War Machine' Koppenhaver vs. Roger Bowling on June 20". Five Ounces of Pain. Retrieved January 23, 2014.[dead link‍]
  18. ^ "mmaxfc.com". mmaxfc.com. Archived from the original on June 15, 2009. Retrieved January 23, 2014.
  19. ^ "Get In Magazine". Get In Magazine. Archived from the original on July 11, 2011. Retrieved January 23, 2014.
  20. ^ "War Machine vs Tex Johnson to Fight on Sat, April 17 at Wild Bill's!". Georgia Fighters. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved February 28, 2021.
  21. ^ "War Machine - Punished in Georgia". TMZ.com. April 16, 2010. Retrieved January 23, 2014.
  22. ^ Stupp, Dann (December 7, 2011). "Bellator inks polarizing fighter War Machine". MMA Junkie. USA Today UFC Media Group. Archived from the original on January 27, 2012.
  23. ^ Ngo, Tom (February 2, 2012). "War Machine Headed Back to Prison". 5th Round. Archived from the original on February 3, 2014. Retrieved February 28, 2021.
  24. ^ "War Machine Suffers Broken Leg, Out Of Planned Bellator Fight With Paul Daley". mmaconvert.com. December 7, 2012. Archived from the original on December 9, 2012.
  25. ^ Whitman, Mike (April 26, 2013). "Welterweights War Machine, Blas Avena to Collide June 19 at Bellator 96 in Oklahoma". Sherdog. Retrieved February 28, 2021.
  26. ^ "Vaughn Anderson to face War Machine at Bellator 100". Fightnation.com. September 7, 2013. Archived from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved September 7, 2013.
  27. ^ "War Machine released for allegedly assaulting girlfriend and two others".
  28. ^ "Christy Mack, War Machine Do Hustler Layout".
  29. ^ a b Stupp, Dann (February 21, 2008). "Judge Shows Leniency with John Koppenhaver Sentencing". MMA Junkie. Archived from the original on March 22, 2008. Retrieved March 18, 2008.
  30. ^ "San Diego Attorney Casey Defends Jon Koppenhaver's Fighting Career". San Diego DUI Lawyer. Archived from the original on January 24, 2010. Retrieved April 25, 2012.
  31. ^ "Report: Former UFC Fighter War Machine Going to Jail". FoxSports. August 25, 2010. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  32. ^ "Ex-UFC Fighter War Machine Gets Jail Time For Assault". TMZ.com. August 25, 2010. Retrieved July 9, 2012.
  33. ^ War Machine's profile at Blogger.ca
  34. ^ "War Machine free at last, again - Mixed Martial Arts News". Mixedmartialarts.com. October 29, 2012. Archived from the original on October 31, 2012. Retrieved January 23, 2014.
  35. ^ Machine, War (April 21, 2011). "Week #36". Wmweek36.blogspot.com. Retrieved January 23, 2014.
  36. ^ Hoffman, Kristy (October 15, 2013). "Hanging Out with Pornstar Christy Mack Made Me Less Scared of Porn". Vice. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  37. ^ Dansby, Kel (June 22, 2013). "Bellator MMA Fighter, War Machine, Dating Porn Star Christy Mack (Photos)". BlackSportsOnline. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  38. ^ Christy Mack describes assault at the hands of former boyfriend, MMA fighter "War Machine", aka Jon Koppenhaver Archived June 30, 2018, at the Wayback Machine, News.com.au, August 12, 2014
  39. ^ McDonald, Soraya Nadia (August 12, 2014). "Christy Mack shares photos of the beating she allegedly endured at the hands of MMA fighter War Machine". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  40. ^ Pamer, Melissa; McDade, Mary Beth (August 15, 2014). "MMA Fighter 'War Machine' Arrested in Simi Valley, Was Sought in Las Vegas Beating of Ex-Girlfriend". Los Angeles: KTLA. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  41. ^ McDonald, Soraya Nadia (October 17, 2014). "War Machine, former MMA fighter who allegedly attacked Christy Mack, attempted suicide in jail". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  42. ^ "War Machine: Attempts Suicide by Hanging in Jail". TMZ. October 16, 2014. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  43. ^ Kaufman, Scott (October 20, 2014). "Cage-fighter Koppenhaver blames anti-male society for his domestic violence in suicide note". RawStory. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
  44. ^ Fieldstadt, Elisha (October 17, 2014). "MMA Fighter War Machine Attempts Suicide in Jail". NBC News. Retrieved October 17, 2014.
  45. ^ Karimi, Faith (October 17, 2014). "MMA fighter War Machine attempts suicide in jail, report says". CNN. Retrieved October 17, 2014.
  46. ^ Ferrara, David (June 3, 2015). "War Machine to stay behind bars until trial for brutal beating". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  47. ^ Ritter, Ken (September 21, 2015). "Ex-fighter War Machine gets judge to postpone trial". Las Vegas Sun. Associated press. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  48. ^ "Trial in Vegas for ex-fighter War Machine reset to February". Salt Lake City: KSL-TV. Associated Press. July 5, 2016. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  49. ^ Ritter, Ken (March 21, 2017). "Ex-MMA fighter guilty of 29 felonies in kidnap, beating case". Associated Press News. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  50. ^ Ferrara, David (February 28, 2017). "Lawyers start picking jurors for War Machine trial". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  51. ^ Bohn, Mike (June 6, 2017). "War Machine Sentenced to Life for Brutal Assault of Ex: Inside the MMA Star's Fall". Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
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