Chael Sonnen has publicly addressed an incident from his past, issuing an apology for his actions during an altercation that took place in December 2021.
The incident occurred at a Four Seasons hotel in Las Vegas. Sonnen was briefly detained after a confrontation with a couple, Dr. Christopher and Julie Stellpflug, in a hotel hallway. According to reports, the Stellpflugs alleged that Sonnen appeared to be intoxicated and unprovokedly swatted a drink out of Christopher`s hand. Additionally, a hotel employee claimed they were struck by the former three-time UFC title challenger.
Following the event, Sonnen initially faced numerous charges, including battery by strangulation and multiple misdemeanor battery counts. However, he subsequently entered a plea of no-contest to a single misdemeanor charge of breaching the peace. As a result of this plea agreement, he was fined $750.
Recently, Sonnen released a statement via Instagram expressing his remorse regarding the incident. He directly apologized to Dr. Chris and Julie Stellpflug for his behavior, referring to himself as a “maniac” during their encounter. Sonnen indicated that he had harbored the desire to apologize for a considerable period and that the situation had been weighing on him.
He extended his apology not only to the couple but also to their children, acknowledging the distress the public legal case and media attention likely caused their family, despite the children not being physically present during the altercation. Sonnen conveyed empathy, imagining the scenario from the perspective of a child whose parents encountered what he described as a “madman” while simply heading to their room.
Addressing the reports of intoxication, Sonnen did not provide specific details about his state but briefly mentioned a “trip” that may have clouded his judgment. He also emphasized that his wife had no involvement in the incident whatsoever, stating he was alone when he encountered the Stellpflugs.
Sonnen, aged 48, is currently known for his analysis on ESPN`s UFC broadcasts and his commentary shared on his popular YouTube channel. Throughout his professional mixed martial arts career, which concluded in 2019 with a record of 31-17-1, he competed for UFC championships on three separate occasions—twice for the middleweight title and once for the light heavyweight title.
