Chael
Sonnen admits he was acting like a “maniac” when he encountered
Chris and Julie Stellpflug at the Four Seasons Hotel in Las Vegas
more than three years ago.
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In July 2023, Sonnen
pleaded no contest to a charge of misdemeanor breach of the
peace in Las Vegas Justice Court and was fined $750. As a result,
the case was close without further conditions or jail time. Sonnen
initially faced multiple misdemeanor battery charges — including
felony battery by strangulation — for
allegedly attacking multiple people at the hotel on Dec. 18,
2021. The felony battery charge was dropped and the misdemeanor
charges were dismissed without predjudice. The Stellpflugs also
reportedly filed a lawsuit against Sonnen as a result of the
incident.
The former
UFC middleweight and light heavyweight title challenger
recently took to social media to issue an apology for the
incident.
“Dr. Chris and his wife Julie Stellpflug, Mr. and Mrs. Stellpflug,
a number of years ago in Las Vegas were coming down a hallway
trying to get to their room, encountered a maniac, me, and I
apologize,” Sonnen said in a video on Instagram. “I’ve wanted to
apologize for a number of years, but it just wasn’t right. It’s a
whole situation. It just takes time, but I’ve got to tell you it
has been bothering me.
“I would extend this apology to their children. Children were not
present, but I have children. Reverse the role and think of myself
as a child with my own parents. Your parents get drug through the
media and a legal case because they encounter a madman while doing
what they should be doing in a hallway, which is walking to their
room. I’ve got to tell you, you’re owed an apology and I sincerely
give you one.
“I was by myself when I met them,” Sonnen continued. “I was on my
trip with my wife and because of that there was something I’d heard
or a combination you guys had asked me—my wife had nothing to do
with the story. They’ve all never seen, never even put eyes on one
another. This is very specifically from the madman in the hallway,
me, to Mr. and Mrs. Stellpflug. I sincerely apologize. I would like
to repeat, I also apologize to your family and your children
specifically and I’m going to leave it at that. Thank you.”
Sonnen, 48, is an analyst for the UFC and will coach opposite
Daniel
Cormier on Season 33 of “The Ultimate Fighter.” He last fought
at Bellator 222, where he fell to Lyoto
Machida via second-round TKO on June 14, 2019