Mixed martial arts fighter Jonathan “War Machine” Koppenhaver appeared in a Las Vegas courtroom on Wednesday to face 32 criminal charges, including attempted murder, for the brutal beating of his ex-girlfriend Christy Mack.
The Ultimate Fighting Championship contender, who claims to have legally changed his name to War Machine, is alleged to have brutally beaten his former girlfriend, adult performer Christy Mack, leaving her with numerous graphic injuries.
Images of those injuries were shared on Twitter by Mack, accompanied a detailed description of the alleged assault. She said she had suffered 18 broken facial bones, including her nose, a broken rib and a ruptured liver. She added Koppenhaver had beaten her “many times before, but never this badly.”
Related: Christy Mack, War Machine and Why the Internet Blames Women for Domestic Violence
Accoring to Reuters, the police report and criminal complaint in the case say Mack, 23, was alternately punched and choked for around two hours. She escaped when she heard her attacker looking for a knife. Mack was reportedly there with another man, identified by a police report as Corey Thomas, who managed to get away after being placed in a choke hold and being bitten in the face.
After photos of the attack surfaced, War Machine said on his Twitter account that he was innocent. He was captured in California last month by authorities after being on the run and extradited to Nevada.
Other charges against Koppenhaver include, kidnapping, sexual assault, strangulation, coercion and numerous counts of battery. According to his lawyer, Brandon Sua, he has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
He was ordered to remain held without bond until his next court date, which was set for October 17th.
