The sport of MMA is littered with stigmatic terms like ‘barbaric’, ‘bloodied violence’ and ‘meatheads’. Although the core of the sport is filled with competitive and like-minded men and women, who look to better the artistry of combat, there are a select few who bring negative attention to it.
Those select few are perhaps the ones that get into fighting for all the wrong reasons. They are also the ones whose careers spiral out of control, much like the lives they lead outside of the cage.
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Here is a list of five MMA fighters involved in disturbing crimes:
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#1 Julian Wallace
Most of us remember Wallace more for his viral presence than his fighting career. His most relevant appearance was during a NITRO 11 staredown, where he is seen bullying opponent, Ben Nguyen.
Ironically, Nguyen later humbled the bantamweight in the first round of their championship fight via a 25-second KO, perhaps a deserved result for the criminal he later became in the media.
In late 2016, Wallace was convicted of domestic violence after he intentionally choked and violently beat Invicta FC fighter, Jessica-Rose Clark, after she brought home the wrong noodles for dinner. He subsequently accused her of infidelity. Let’s just say Wallace was never one to be admired and he will certainly never be again after such convictions.
#2 War Machine (Jonathan Koppenhaver)
The saga of War Machine’s criminal escapades is perhaps the most famous example of an MMA fighter gone very, very bad. The former UFC and Bellator fighter was released from both promotions for his terrible attitude. At the same time, he racked up several other assault charges outside of his most notorious and latest feat.
Currently, War Machine resides in a state prison in Nevada for 34 criminal counts including sexual assault and attempted murder charges against his ex-girlfriend Christy Mack. The vicious attack that led to War Machine’s claim to fame was one of the most infamous cases in MMA history, also brutally vivid as told by Mack herself on social media.
It was reported that the porn star suffered 18 broken bones and several other injuries in the attack. Let’s just say War Machine is one of the biggest losers the sport has ever seen.
#3 'Iron' Mike Whitehead
Before Whitehead became what he is criminally known for now, he was actually a fighter well on his way to MMA success. During his career, he amassed 27 victories and fought professionally 35 times. Whitehead is also best known to the casual fan for his appearance on an early season of the Ultimate Fighter.
Reportedly after a party in 2010, Whitehead escorted two females home and upon arrival, raped one and sexually assaulted the other. Despite the disgusting nature of his crime, he still went ahead and tried to pursue an MMA career after serving a three-year prison sentence.
In the end, this crime will supersede anything Whitehead does from now on the MMA scene, no matter how magnificent.
#4 Aleksander Emelianenko
This particular crime is right up there with the rest of them. Emelianenko does not possess the same fame that his brother Fedor does, however, he is pretty famous for his crimes against women.
In May 2014, the Russian was incarcerated for sexual assault against his former housekeeper, Polina Stepanova. Apparently, Emelianenko withheld Stepanova’s passport in order to kidnap her, forced her to consume narcotics and extorted her for sexual favours while she worked and lived in his apartment.
Stepanova was also the victim of threats from the former Pride fighter’s friends after she filed a police report against him. Although Emelianenko was locked away for quite a whle, it was reported in 2016 that he was granted an early release for “good behaviour”.
#5 Thiago Santos
Silva’s career has been peppered with free agency and his most infamous stint with the law is what got him cut from the UFC.
In 2014, the Brazilian was arrested after an armed standoff in Florida, which saw him charged with aggravated assault. The reason for his blowout was an altercation with his former wife, Thaysa Kamiji, and her partner, Pablo Popovitch outside of their home.
In the police report filed by Kamiji, Silva apparently put a revolver in her mouth, sent threatening text messages and even threatened to shoot up Popovitch’s school. During the insane scene, Silva was tasered for safety reasons by a member of the SWAT team, painting an incredibly dramatic picture, to say the least.
The heavyweight’s career came to a devastating end after that and we haven’t seen much of him in top promotions since – rightfully so.
