Chael Sonnen apologizes for acting like ‘madman’ in hotel incident

Tyler Durden 2025.05.21 3 min read

UFC Fight Night: Covington v Buckley — Chael Sonnen | Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

Chael Sonnen is coming clean in regards to an ugly incident from his past.

In December 2021, Sonnen was briefly detained at a Four Seasons hotel in Las Vegas after an altercation with a couple, Dr. Christopher Stellpflug and Julie Stellpflug, in a hallway. The Stellpflugs claimed Sonnen appeared to be intoxicated and that he slapped a drink out of Christopher’s hand unprovoked. A hotel employee also claimed he was punched by the three-time UFC title challenger.

Sonnen later pleaded no-contest to a single misdemeanor charge of breaching the peace after initially being charged with battery by strangulation and 10 misdemeanor battery charges. As a result of his plea, he was fined $750.

On Wednesday, Sonnen released a statement apologizing to the Stellpflugs for his actions.

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A post shared by Chael Sonnen (@sonnench)

“Dr. Chris and his wife Julie Stellpflug, Mr. and Mrs. Stellpflug, a number of years ago in Las Vegas were coming down a hallway trying to get to their room, encountered a maniac, me, and I apologize,” Sonnen said on Instagram. “I’ve wanted to apologize for a number of years, but it just wasn’t right. It’s a whole situation, it just takes time, but I’ve got to tell you it has been bothering me.

“I would extend this apology to their children. Children were not present, but I have children. Reverse the role and think of myself as a child with my own parents, your parents get drug through the media and a legal case because they encounter a madman while doing what they should be doing in a hallway, which is walking to their room. I’ve got to tell you, you’re owed an apology and I sincerely give you one.”

Sonnen touched upon the intoxication accusation, but did not specify exactly what his physical condition was when he encountered the Stellpflugs, only briefly mentioning a “trip” that may have clouded his judgement. He also wanted to make it clear his wife had no involvement in the incident.

“I was by myself when I met them,” Sonnen said. “I was on my trip with my wife and because of that there was something I’d heard or a combination you guys had asked me—my wife had nothing to do with the story, they’ve all never seen, never even put eyes on one another—this is very specifically from the madman in the hallway, me, to Mr. and Mrs. Stellpflug. I sincerely apologize. I would like to repeat, I also apologize to your family and your children specifically and I’m going to leave it at that. Thank you.”

Sonnen, 48, currently serves as an analyst on ESPN’s UFC programming and also frequently shares his MMA opinions on his YouTube channel. During his fighting career, he twice challenged for the UFC middleweight title and once for the UFC light heavyweight title. He closed out his career with Bellator, retiring in 2019 with a pro record of 31-17-1.

Chael Sonnen apologizes for acting like ‘madman’ in hotel incident

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