Former UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen faces nearly a dozen charges stemming from his December arrest in Las Vegas.
According to online court records, Sonnen was hit with 10 misdemeanor charges of battery and one felony charge of battery by strangulation. He is due for his initial court appearance April 27 in Las Vegas. TMZ Sports on Tuesday was first to report the filings, which occurred March 14.
The alleged incident took place Dec. 18 at the Luxor Hotel and Casino. Initially facing five misdemeanor battery counts for alleged altercations with five separate individuals, Sonnen had the charges “dismissed by the court without prejudice.” There was a possibility that the charges could be refiled at a later date.
Police told MMA Fighting in January that Sonnen never was arrested or placed in jail, but he was issued citations and escorted off the property. A video published by TMZ Sports shows a man who appears to be Sonnen being escorted down a hallway with his hands behind his back and T-shirt around his shoulders.
Sonnen, 44, has not competed since 2019 but has served in an analyst role for various stations and promotions, including the UFC and Bellator, as well as heading grappling promotion Submission Underground. He has not yet commented on the charges filed against him.
