Multiple UFC title contender Chael Sonnen faces 11 charges in connection with an alleged altercation in Las Vegas last December.
According to online court records, Sonnen faces a felony strangulation charge, as well as 10 misdemeanor charges, which were filed on March 14. TMZ was the first to report on the documents.
Sonnen initially received five misdemeanor charges for the alleged incident after Las Vegas police answered a call to the Luxor Hotel and Casino and determined that there were five separate victims in the alleged incident. Just over a month later, the charges were “dismissed without prejudice”, meaning they could potentially be re-filed at a later date. Police said Sonnen was charged and then escorted out of Luxor territory, but was never arrested or imprisoned.
Sonnen is scheduled to appear in court on April 27, according to court records.
The 48-fight veteran ended his mixed martial arts career after losing a TKO to Lyoto Machida at Bellator 222 in June 2019. Sonnen is widely known for his fierce rivalry with former UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva.
Calling it his career, Sonnen has found success as an analyst and has featured on both UFC and Bellator broadcasts. In addition, the 44-year-old footballer worked as a color commentator for the Eagle Club.