Former UFC fighter and current ESPN MMA analyst Chael Sonnen is facing eleven charges for his alleged participation in a brawl that took place inside a Las Vegas Hotel on December 18, 2021.
“Chael will not appear on ESPN as we explore the details of these serious charges,” ESPN said in a statement.
One of the charges Sonnen faces is battery by strangulation, classified as a felony. The ten others are for misdemeanor battery.
According to TMZ Sports, Sonnen is accused of attacking six people, including strangling one man. Sonnen also allegedly used “force of violence upon” a woman “by punching/striking” and pushing her.
Specific details about the situation have yet to be released by Las Vegas Metropolitan Police.
A video obtained by TMZ showed police escorting Sonnen away in handcuffs after the incident at the Luxor Hotel and Casino. Police said Sonnen was issued five citations and removed from the property, but never arrested or placed in jail.
However, a Nevada judge later dismissed the citations in January without prejudice, leaving the door open for new charges to be filed. The latest round of charges was refiled on March 14.
The Clark County District Attorney told TMZ that the judge dismissed the initial citations because the “notice to appear failed to comply with the legal requirements as set forth by Nevada law.”
Sonnen’s first court appearance is scheduled for April 27.
Sonnen, 44, is an Oregon native who earned wrestling All-American honors at the University of Oregon.
Professionally, he went 31-17 throughout his MMA career in both the UFC and Bellator. In 2015, the Nevada State Athletic Commission suspended him for 2 years after he tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs for a third time.
Sonnen never fought in the UFC again, opting to sign with Bellator upon returning from the suspension in 2017.
Sonnen retired from MMA following a TKO loss to Lyoto Machida at Bellator 222 in June 2019. He has served as an analyst for the sport ever since.
