Highlights

• War Machine had a mixed success as a professional fighter, participating in various organizations such as Bellator and the UFC.
• He transitioned into the adult film industry, earning the nickname "Whore Machine" for his involvement with multiple women.
• His toxic relationship with Christy Mack escalated into a brutal assault, resulting in him being sentenced to 36 years to life in prison.

Former mixed martial arts fighter War Machine, formerly known as Jon Koppenhaver, has become a largely forgotten figure in the MMA world. Serving a life sentence for multiple violent charges, War Machine was once a participant in The Ultimate Fighter: Team Hughes vs. Team Serra, aligning with Team Serra and subsequently engaging in two UFC fights. His journey also led him to compete for Bellator MMA, followed by a career shift into adult entertainment.

Despite his brief moments in the spotlight, War Machine's life took a dark turn with an infamous incident involving his then-girlfriend Christy Mack, resulting in a life sentence. Prior to this tragic event, War Machine had a history of criminal and disturbing behavior, which could have served as a warning of the troubling path he was heading down.

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War Machine’s MMA Career From UFC To Regional Circuit

Despite His Potential, He Would Have Mixed Success As A Pro Fighter

• War Machine MMA record: 14-5
• Fought in the UFC, Bellator and many more

Koppenhaver made a mark in mixed martial arts by competing in various promotions such as Bellator and the UFC, primarily in the welterweight division. His journey included participation in The Ultimate Fighter: Team Hughes vs. Team Serra and The Ultimate Fighter 6 Finale. Notably, he secured entry into the UFC with an impressive knockout victory over Jared Rollins, earning him both the Knockout of the Night and Fight of the Night bonuses.

His second UFC appearance, however, ended in a submission loss to Yoshiyuki Yoshida in the first round. Subsequently, he navigated through the California regional circuit, participating in various organizations. An important victory over Roger Huerta led to a Bellator contract. During his time with Bellator, he secured two wins before facing defeat in the Bellator Season Nine Welterweight Tournament Semifinal against Ron Keslar. This bout marked his last appearance in professional mixed martial arts.

From War Machine To Whore Machine

Koppenhaver’s Adult Career Was The Beginning Of The End

• War Machine has 21 credits as an adult performer.
• He performed with Alexa Nicole, Asa Akira, Phoenix Marie and Avy Scott.

On October 31, 2009, War Machine announced on his now-defunct Myspace page his entry into the porn industry while simultaneously continuing his MMA career.

"In life, I have come to learn that all I enjoy is eating, sleeping, fighting, and f-----g," he wrote, as reported by MiddleEasy.com. "I'm living the dream, getting paid to fight and f--k! What more could I ask for?"

War Machine's active romantic pursuits, he earned the nickname "Whore Machine" for his frequent involvement with multiple women.

War Machine made his debut in the adult film industry with adult actress Riley Steele. In November 2009, during a porn shoot, former adult film star Brooke Haven performed with War Machine. Subsequently, Haven invited him to her birthday party, held at a Van Nuys, California, porn studio, mostly from the adult film industry. War Machine's date was his then-girlfriend, porn star Alanah Rae.

During the party, an altercation unfolded when War Machine allegedly slapped Alanah Rae in the face upon seeing her conversing with TerezOwens.com owner Joey Granath. Granath reported on his website that War Machine assaulted his girlfriend Alanah Rae. Subsequently, War Machine dragged her outside, prompting several individuals to follow in an attempt to prevent harm. The incident escalated as War Machine reportedly engaged in physical altercations, described by witnesses as a "massacre," involving at least 8 people at the party.

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War Machine Meets Christy Mack

The Toxic Relationship Would Lead To His Life Sentence

Christy Mack first encountered War Machine in May 2013 during a porn shoot for the January 2014 issue of Hustler. Their relationship began after engaging in sexual activities during the photo shoot.

As Mack's testimony revealed during Koppenhaver's preliminary hearing, their relationship took a tumultuous turn as War Machine expressed dissatisfaction with her career in the adult film industry. Mack testified that he often voiced disgust when she returned home from work, and his displeasure intensified if she couldn't fulfill his sexual desires, leading him to ask her to quit.

Although the couple decided mutually that Mack would cease performing in adult videos several months into their relationship, arguments escalated, turning violent. Mack claimed that War Machine would physically assault her at least once a month, mostly in the face and frequently involving choking.

Mack testified that War Machine would take away her cellphone after violent incidents to prevent her from contacting her mother. He allegedly threatened to kill Mack and her mother if she reported the abuse, doing so on multiple occasions. Despite the allegations of violence and sexual assault, Mack continued to date War Machine, explaining that she was in love and believed the cycle of abuse would eventually change. However, she acknowledged that the cycle never truly improved and ultimately led to a devastating outcome.

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War Machine Assaults Christy Mack And Her Partner

Court Testimony Detailed The Brutal Attack

On the night of August 8, shortly before 2 a.m., War Machine reportedly used a key to enter Christy Mack's Las Vegas home, intending to surprise her with an engagement ring. Upon entering her bedroom, he discovered Mack and another man, Corey Thomas, in bed together. Allegedly enraged, War Machine began screaming, physically assaulting Thomas, and putting him in multiple chokeholds as they struggled.

Thomas, fearing for his life, managed to break free at one point but was caught in another chokehold. War Machine interrogated him, demanding to know who he was and accusing him of being with "his girl." War Machine also confronted Mack, coercing her to affirm her love for him and admit to proposing marriage. Thomas, with blood covering his face, described Mack as sounding scared.

In an attempt to diffuse the situation, Thomas asked War Machine what he wanted, offering to leave without involving the police. War Machine warned Thomas not to contact law enforcement, threatening him with harm from "Hell's Angels and Navy Seals friends" if he did. Thomas left Mack's home, leaving her alone with War Machine.

Mack, who had witnessed the violent confrontation, called 911, but her call was disconnected. The operator called back, but Mack ignored the call, later deleting the original 911 call from her phone history. After Thomas left, War Machine allegedly attacked Mack, forcing her into the shower while naked. He proceeded to cut her wigs, saw off her hair, and used a knife to threaten and assault her. Mack pleaded for help and expressed the need to go to the hospital.

The violence included sexual assault, and Mack suffered severe injuries during the ordeal. Her injuries included a broken nose, shattered eye socket, knocked-out teeth, lacerated liver, and a serious leg injury. In a desperate attempt to escape, Mack ran to her balcony, jumped two fences, and sought refuge at a neighbor's house. The neighbor called the police, leading to Mack's rescue and hospitalization.

War Machine Gets 36 Years To Life in Prison

The End Of The Road For The Disgraced MMA Fighter

• War Machine attempted suicide in October 2014 while awaiting his sentence.
• The disgraced MMA fighter has turned to religion while in prison.

War Machine has been sentenced to 36 years to life in prison with the possibility of parole after serving 36 years for the brutal assault on his ex-girlfriend, Christy Mack, and her boyfriend, Corey Thomas. Following two days of jury deliberation, War Machine was found guilty on 29 of the 34 charges brought against him, including sexual assault, kidnapping, and coercion. However, the jury was deadlocked on the most serious charges of attempted murder.

Machine had rejected two plea deals – one for 16 years to life and another for 18 to 40 years – in favor of a jury trial. The verdict provided a measure of vindication for Christy Mack, who had undergone plastic surgery to address the extensive damage caused by the assault.