Christy Mack, War Machine love story looks to have a tragic ending (updated February 24, 2015)
His mates at the various gyms valued the close relationship they had with Jonathan Koppenhaver, aka War Machine (second from the right). Jon has had an opportunity to meet a great many good people. For them, the quality of their close relationships determines how good they feel about themselves and about life in general.
Leading up to Friday, August 15, 2014, the mixed martial arts fighter War Machine, formerly known as Jonathan Koppenhaver of Las Vegas, Nevada by way of San Diego, CA, by way of Simi Valley, CA had seven warrants out for his arrest, or should we say capture. The tabloids were having a field day reporting this juicy story about the alleged (LOL) beating he inflicted on adult film star and ex-girlfriend Christy Mack.
Our wait for the follow-up reports stating Kim Kardashian, Lindsay Lohan and fellow reality TV star Duane Chapman, better known as Dog the Bounty Hunter, were also involved in the manhunt only lasted two days.
Much to most everyone’s chagrin, the 32 year-old, ex-MMA fighter was taken into custody around 1:45 p.m. on Friday in Simi Valley by local police in conjunction with the U.S. Marshals Service. War Machine was arrested without incident, according to the news release from the U.S. Marshals Service.
Jonathan “War Machine” Koppenahver was arrested here at this Extended Stay America Hotel in Simi Valley on August 15, 2014.
The former Simi Valley resident was found at the above Extended Stay America Hotel located at 2498 Stearns St., just off the 118 Freeway where it was reported the current nightly rates have now skyrocketed. In their current advertisement they trumpet: Superheroes always welcome, hot tub, pet friendly, fitness room, grab and go breakfast and for that quick get-away – a free shuttle to the airport.
A hotel guest, Nicolle Blankenship, who witnessed the arrest told KTLA News that officers did use a Taser Gun on War Machine. “And they were like banging on the door, trying to get it open, and they’re like, ‘Open the door, open the door. Finally when they got it opened they yelled, “Gun,” and then all of a sudden you see them shoot him with a Taser. And he got shot with a Taser and went down to the floor, and then they handcuffed him.”
Once officers got inside the room, they discovered “a small quantity of cash and some pizza.” It could have been Round Table, Dominoes, or Little Cesar’s, the bidding war for product placement is still ongoing.
Hotel guest Mary Casamento said she called police to the hotel after seeing this “big dude” yelling at and pushing a petite woman who was trying to calm him down. He grabbed her by the hair, said Casamento.
War Machine was transported to the Ventura County Jail where he will await extradition back to Sin City.
Last week, Christy Mack, War Machine’s ex-girlfriend, posted the graphic photos on her twitter account showing the injuries she said were dealt to her by War Machine. A friend who was with her was also assaulted, she said.
As a result of her posts, War Machine took to Twitter on Sunday to defend himself. “I only wish that man hadn’t been there and that Christy & I would be happily engaged. I don’t know (why) I’m so cursed. One day the truth will come out.”
On Tuesday, August 12th, the Las Vegas police announced they had issued a warrant for War Machine’s arrest in connection with the August 8th assault. He was charged with several counts of battery, including by strangulation, as well as assault with a deadly weapon, coercion by force and “open and gross lewdness,” according to a news release from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.
A male and female victim had severe injuries that were not life-threatening said police. The female victim, (Christy Mack) was hospitalized.
On Tuesday, a Las Vegas police spokesperson told KTLA News that investigators believed War Machine had fled to Southern California.
In a statement Mack posted to Twitter, Mack said her ex-boyfriend arrived at her home around 2 a.m. and assaulted her and a friend.
*Under the heading, “it’s always best to tell the truth” we learned later from the Las Vegas Police Department report regarding the incident that War Machine 1) still had a key to the house, 2) was still her boyfriend according to Mack, 3) had been her boyfriend for 15 months and 4) the lovable Mr. Corey Thomas was indeed in the same bed with Christy Mack (where the pillows are obviously fluffier) and 5) War Machine stated he returned to his “home”, the “home” he thought he shared with Mack at 1:30 a.m.
War Machine’s post on Twitter stated he stopped by her house to surprise her with an engagement ring and that’s when he found her with this other guy.
The judge adjudicating this case will likely ask, ‘Mr. War Machine, do you have a habit of stopping by someone’s residence at 1:30 a.m. in the morning?’ His likely response, ‘Yes, your honor, because when in Las Vegas I always stay with my girlfriend.’
Mack stated that Koppenhaver made her undress and shower in front of him and then he assaulted her. When he went into the kitchen, she feared he was getting a knife. That’s when the naked Mack ran out of the house and through the neighborhood to seek help.
With the help of friends, she then posted the photos of her bruised body lying on the hospital bed. She stated she had suffered 18 broken bones, had her nose broken in two places, had several teeth knocked out, some hair sawed off, had ruptured her liver, fractured a rib and badly bruised her left thigh with the repeated sidekicks. According to the actress, she could not walk, chew or see out of her left eye.
Mack said their relationship ended in May, but this photo taken on July 25, 2014 disputes that claim. That was the night they were holding hands and looking every bit a loving couple while sharing the spotlight ringside at a Bellator MMA show at the Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula, CA
The last known photo of War Machine and Christy Mack together was taken at the Bellator MMA Show at the Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula, CA on July 25. It shows the couple having a good time and smiling. It disputes the claim that they were not even in contact anymore. Photo: Jim Wyatt/SportofBoxing.com
After a fundraising page had been set up for Mack’s medical expenses, it was mentioned they had raised more than $65,000 by Friday, August 15.
Since that time, on-line reports claim the other man was actually Mack’s new boyfriend, former reality-TV star Corey Thomas, and even though another report had Thomas and Mack in the same bedroom when War Machine arrived, she still hasn’t explained their relationship. She did however stress the point that War Machine had no right to be at her house and even less to feel jealous since she was now spending time with someone else.
(l) The chivalrous, debonair Corey Thomas and (r) the volatile War Machine with the “Mack” tattoo and cell phone that’s gotten him into so much trouble.
According to TMZ, the man who War Machine allegedly beat up before brutally beating Mack has been identified as web designer and former reality show contestant Corey Thomas. War Machine reportedly gave Thomas a broken nose, two black eyes, and bit him on the face.
In 2009, Thomas briefly appeared on the VH1 reality series Megan Wants a Millionaire, in which a group of wealthy single men vied for the love of the former Rock of Love contestant Megan Hauserman. The show was terminated after a fellow contestant murdered his wife and then killed himself.
The many sides of the actress Christy Mack formerly known as Christine Mackinday.
According to the many photos taken of the couple, War Machine wasn’t as delusional about their relationship as she now makes it sound. While on the run from the police, he did say on his Twitter account, that had he popped by the house to surprise her with an engagement ring, and that’s when he found her with the other guy.
As mentioned, the last known photo of War Machine and Christy Mack together was taken at the Bellator MMA Show at the Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula, CA on July 25. Previous to that, over a 15 month courtship, there were many photos and videos of the couple in happier times. 
Nik Richie, owner of The Dirty told Fox News: “(We) obtained pictures of the former couple, together after their supposed breakup, in bed, only a week or so ago and the two were spotted together as of a week ago. War Machine reportedly caught her cheating. He thought they were still together. What he did was 100 percent wrong but she provoked him.”
Other reports say Mack and War Machine never broke up, and further proof of that can be found in the photos he posted on his Instagram at the end of July. In one photo, Mack is seen sleeping in the same bed as the fighter, while he’s complaining to his followers that she fell asleep before making love to him.
A video interview by Marcos Villegas is the most revealing of all. It shows War Machine was in fact in love with her, and she in love with him. But since both have been in horrendous attachments previously, this love affair had literally no chance of succeeding. It was a time bomb with the shortest of fuses. A tragedy so sad it reminds you of some of the plays written by William Shakespeare.
Samantha Allen of The Daily Beast appears to have the best insight into this tragedy: “As Christy Mack’s story unfolds, we should pay close attention to the ways in which Mack’s occupation is invoked in media reporting and public commentary. A sensationalistic focus on her career in pornography enables those who are tempted to perceive her abuse as a product of some sort of moral failing. Yes, Christy Mack is a porn star, but she’s also a woman and a survivor.”
The other on-line comments that are thought provoking:
joe5pack: “This guy needs to be beaten just like he beat her. As an object lesson for himself and others.”
db73: “A gazelle isn’t to blame for getting eaten by Lions but it also makes every attempt to stay away from them. Saying that she could have avoided this by making better choices is not blaming her, it’s a fact.”
Unknown: “There’s a difference between imprudent and immoral. She was imprudent. He was immoral. The punishment for imprudence is often self-contained. The punishment for immorality is a larger and social issue.”
Prospects look bleak for War Machine as both the hate mail and pretrial projections are being noted from members of the judicial system, to include a court officer and several barristers that have come our way. To a man they all have War Machine receiving a minimum of 15 to 20 years in prison.
On August 17, 2014 the SportofBoxing.com website received this comment on a past post: “Bellator’s Welterweight Tournament features two local champions”
Author: qwkinuf
Comment: Jonathan Paul Koppenhaver
#1934433, 800 S. Victoria Ave. Jail
Ventura, CA 93009
Send him a heart felt letter while he’s awaiting extradition.
1 count Battery Resulting in Substantial Bodily Harm – 1 to 5 yrs – $10k fine.
1 count Battery By Strangulation – 1 to 20 yrs. – $10k fine.
2 counts Battery with Substantial Bodily Harm – 2 to 10 yrs – $20k fine.
1 count Open and Gross Lewdness – 1 yr. – $2k fine – Sex Offender Registration
1 count Assault with Deadly Weapon – 2 to 15 yrs. – $5k fine.
1 count Coercion with Use of Force or Threat of Force – 1 to 6 yrs. – $5k fine.
Taking into account his violent law-breaking history, he’s looking forward to probably $50k+ for his legal defense, 5+ yrs. in prison, $30k+ in fines, and $250k+ in lawsuit settlements.
He just screwed the rest of his life over with his pathetic ‘I can get away with anything’ ego. War Machine’s name will be changing to ‘Prison Punk’ when he’s corn-holed by Bubba, the 480 lb. gorilla from Manila who doesn’t play by octagon rules in the general population.
And of course he just kissed his professional fighting and lame porno careers goodbye. Whenever he does get out, he’ll be a registered sex-offender and with his colorful history, the only work he’ll find on the street is sweeping it.”
“See you Honey, I’ll be right back.”
From War Machine’s mates comes the following message of concern: “We’re all very thankful that this story didn’t end with something tragic like a murder/suicide or the police going crazy and shooting to kill. When it comes to trial, we’re sure justice will be served and Jon can be helped.
In reality, there were only two options for someone like Jon. Standing there with his heart broken, and seeing the woman of his dreams in bed with another man, he could have 1) lowered his head, did an about face and went away whimpering like a sick puppy, or 2) as it turns out, he went ballistic and inflicted a beating on those who had hurt him, as if that would make his pain go away.”
Update as of February 24, 2015
War Machine’s Twitter account has remained active since his arrest even though he doesn’t have access to the social media site from the Clark County Detention Center, where he is now being held without bail. In one post, War Machine lamented his status in jail, referring to his cell as a “bubble,” and writing he meant to “surprise” Mack on the day of the attack.
“When she testifies against me, helping the state to take away my LIFE, I curse her inwardly,” the tweet begins. “When I see her cry, when I see the one I loved in pain … I fight my shackles in my mind, I fight everyone and everything barring me from comforting her with an embrace.” He added, “I wish that I could give apologies where they’re due. I wish that I could hear her apologize as well.”
War Machine’s publicist, Amanda Earley said a friend had been posting the tweets for him, but her company would soon take over his account.
Next came that February hearing where the presiding judge established a September 28, 2015 trial date. At that hearing War Machine pleaded not guilty to the 34 felony charges including attempted murder, sexual assault, battery and coercion. He now faces up to life in prison if convicted.
Citing Christy Mack, aka Mackinday, an arrest report describes Jonathan Koppenhaver (War Machine) breaking into her home and punching her in the face several times. The document also described Mack’s escape from her home.
Another pre-trial hearing will be held on April 22, 2015.
