The widely reported “brawl” this past Saturday involving former UFC title challenger and Bellator MMA fighter Chael Sonnen involved not one, but five separate victims, according to Las Vegas police.
On Monday, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Public Information Officer Larry Hadfield confirmed to Cageside Press that officers had responded to the 3900 block of South Las Vegas Boulevard on Saturday for a report of a fight.
“Arriving officers contacted the resort’s security who had responded to the incident as well,” Hadfield stated. “Through the course of the investigation, LVMPD officers determined that Chael Sonnen had committed a misdemeanor battery against five separate victims. Sonnen was issued a battery citation for each individual victim, then escorted off property.”
News of the incident was first reported by TMZ, who cited a witness who saw Sonnen engaged in a physical altercation with the male half of a couple. That altercation allegedly broke out while the couple were walking by as Sonnen was banging on a hotel room door.
LVMPD PIO Hadfield added that “Due to the fact the misdemeanors were committed outside of a police officer’s presence, an arrest was not conducted.”
Per the original report by TMZ, paramedics responded to the scene, though there were no reports of any injuries.
Sonnen’s longtime rival, Jon Jones, had a few words to say about the incident on social media. “Chael Sonnen, I’m not gonna sit here and celebrate you getting battery charges against a female last night. That would make me like you, and I’m nothing like you. Instead I will wish your family well, I wish the victims (sic) family well.”
The LVMPD’s statement did not include any information regarding the gender or age of the alleged victims. Cageside Press has submitted a public records request for additional information on the matter.
Sonnen most recently served as host of the World MMA Awards earlier this month. He remains a popular figure in the fight game, working as an analyst for ESPN and hosting a popular podcast.
