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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
MMA Junkie Staff

Chael Sonnen accused in lawsuit of attacking couple in Las Vegas ‘without provocation’

A lawsuit was filed Friday which alleges former UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen attacked a couple at a Las Vegas hotel in December.

Julie and Christopher Stellpflug have filed a lawsuit that claims Sonnen attacked them in the hallway of the Four Seasons, “without provocation or any communication whatsoever,” according to a report from the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

In addition to the new lawsuit filed, Sonnen faces 11 charges, including 10 misdemeanor charges of battery and one felony charge of battery by strangulation, according to online records. He is due for his initial court appearance on April 27 in Las Vegas.

The lawsuit, which contains details written by the Stellpflugs’ attorney Kory Kaplan, states Sonnen knocked a drink out of Christopher’s hand before punching him in the head multiple times. Stellpflug said he “did not want any trouble,” after the drink was knocked out of his hand, but Sonnen went on to punch him and then place him in a chokehold.

Julie began to scream for help and another guest of the hotel was able to pull Sonnen off her husband. The lawsuit states Sonnen began elbowing the guest, and then Julie was thrown against the wall and lifted up by Sonnen. Christopher grabbed her ankle and Julie was able to get out of her coat, which Sonnen was using to grab her.

The Stellpflugs were not the only couple Sonnen allegedly attacked. The former UFC star initially faced five misdemeanor battery counts for alleged altercations with five different individuals. However, the charges were “dismissed by the court without prejudice,” but could be filed at a later date.

Police stated Sonnen was issued citations and then escorted off the hotel property but was never arrested or placed in jail following the incident.

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