Chael Sonnen apologized for a 2021 altercation at a Las Vegas hotel, where he was involved in an incident with a couple, resulting in a no-contest plea and a fine.
Chael Sonnen is opening up about a troubling incident from his past. In December 2021, he faced a brief detention at a Las Vegas Four Seasons hotel after a hallway altercation with Dr. Christopher Stellpflug and his wife, Julie.
The Stellpflugs accused Sonnen of appearing intoxicated and claimed he slapped a drink from Christopher’s hand without provocation. A hotel employee also alleged that Sonnen, a three-time UFC title challenger, punched him.
Initially charged with battery by strangulation and 10 misdemeanor battery charges, Sonnen later pleaded no-contest to a misdemeanor charge of breaching the peace. He was fined $750.
On Wednesday, Sonnen publicly apologized to the Stellpflugs. “Dr. Chris and his wife Julie Stellpflug… I apologize,” he stated on Instagram, admitting he had been bothered by the incident for years.
Sonnen extended his apology to the Stellpflugs’ children, empathizing as a parent himself. “Your parents get dragged through the media… you’re owed an apology,” he expressed sincerely.
He addressed the intoxication claim but didn’t clarify his condition, mentioning a “trip” that might have clouded his judgment. Sonnen emphasized his wife’s non-involvement in the altercation.
“I was by myself when I met them,” he clarified, reiterating his apology to the Stellpflugs and their family. “I sincerely apologize… I’m going to leave it at that.”
Sonnen, 48, is now an analyst on ESPN’s UFC programming and shares his insights on his YouTube channel. His fighting career included challenges for the UFC middleweight and light heavyweight titles, ending with Bellator in 2019 with a record of 31-17-1.