The former mixed martial arts fighter known as "War Machine" was sentenced to life in prison Monday for kidnapping, beating and sexually assaulting his ex-girlfriend over several months in 2014 in addition to beating her male friend when he discovered them in her bedroom.
The 35-year-old Jonathan Paul Koppenhaver, who was convicted by a jury in March, will be eligible for parole in 36 years.
Jurors convicted Koppenhaver of 29 felonies stemming from attacks on porn star ex-girlfriend Christy Mack and Corey Thomas. The jurors, however, were deadlocked on two attempted-murder counts.
Mack told District Judge Elissa Cadish on Monday that she still fears for her life.
Koppenhaver wrote on his Twitter account in March that he was happy about his upcoming life in prison.
"Would you believe me, though, if I said that I have nothing but joy inside, even now as I am sure to receive some type of life sentence? It's true. Often times I have heard men in neighboring cells go to their cells and cry after receiving such news, but how can I? How can I cry tears of sorrow over the circumstances responsible for saving my soul?" he wrote on Twitter.
"These circumstances are what has transformed me into a real man, how can I disrespect god by weeping over them? How much is a soul worth? Is a life sentence too high a price? Not at all, I gladly trade this false life in for the real one to come; I have been nothing but blessed by all of this."
Las Vegas police said Koppenhaver attacked Mack and a male friend and accused her of cheating on him.
According to the police report, Koppenhaver choked and punched Thomas for about 10 minutes. During that incident, Mack called police.
After Thomas left, Koppenhaver is accused of attacking Mack, beating her in a shower and threatening her with a knife.
Mack sustained a blowout fracture of her left eye, other facial fractures, a lacerated liver, broken ribs and two lost teeth.
Koppenhaver was a contestant on the UFC's reality series "The Ultimate Fighter."
