The MMA fighter, War Machine, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the kidnap and sexual assault of his porn star former girlfriend.
Upon finding out his punishment, War Machine (originally Jonathan Paul Koppenhaver before legally changing his name) compared himself to Aaron Hernandez - the NFL star who committed suicide in prison in April.
Koppenhaver was convicted on 20th March on 29 of the 34 charges against him for the 2014 crimes against his ex-partner. The earliest the 35-year-old fighter will be released is when he's 71.
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The MMA pro was found not guilty on three charges: burglary with use of a deadly weapon, sexually motivated coercion, and battery with intent to commit sexual assault. The jury was deadlocked on two charges: attempted to murder and attempted murder with use of a deadly weapon.
Whilst giving a statement at court on Monday, War Machine said: "I should have killed myself by now. There's no reason right now that I shouldn't be in the dirt right now laying next to Aaron Hernandez. That's 100 percent true."
Former girlfriend Mack (full name Christine Mackinday) battled the tears as she told District Judge Elissa Cadish that she'd still fear for her life in Koppenhaver were to leave prison.
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War Machine added in his statement that he regrets everything. "Not a day goes by that I don't seriously regret all those things that I did. I was a very, very lost, very empty person," he said.
"And to top it off, something's not right with my head. Plain and simple. I've known that a long time and I've hated it. I've hated the way that I think.
"I've hated my impulses. Half the time, I don't know why I do some of the things I do. And some of the times I do things and I don't even feel like I did them until it's already done."
War Machine claimed that he suffered from anxiety, depression and self-pity and treated his fights as a 'sick form of therapy'.
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After his conviction, he spoke of his 'joy' at receiving a life sentence and told how he had found God.
He also posted a message to Mack, which read: "I am sorry for the man that I was, I am sorry for hurting you. One day, when enough time has passed, and when your wounds are fully healed, I hope that you will write to me, or perhaps, even visit me, so that I can apologize completely."
Back in 2014, War Machine attacked Mack after finding her in bed with another man. He began attacking him for around 10 minutes. After letting him go he turned his attentions to Mack.
She was left with a broken nose, missing teeth, a fractured eye socket, leg injuries and a lacertated liver.
As she drifted in and out of consciousness, she was beaten, kicked and groped sexually.
Mack claimed that she only escaped when she thought he had gone to the kitchen to get a knife. She ran naked and bleeding to a neighbour's home.
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Source: Daily Mail
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: MMA