SignOnSanDiego.com reported today that Jon "war machine" Koppenhaver is facing felony assault and battery charges. Koppenhaver is accused of choking a Las Vegas man unconscious and hitting him in the head. The assault apparently happened outside of San Diego’s Undisputed fitness and training center in early September.

Jon appeared before a Superior court judge on Thursday on felony assault and battery charges. The preliminary hearing was suppose to continue later on Thursday. Prosecuter David Williams said Koppenhaver could face a maximum of seven years in prison if convicted of the charges.

Darren Zatkow, the victim in the case, testified during the preliminary hearing that he was assaulted outside of the club after drinking all night. He says that a group of men with no shirts surrounded him as he was leaving the club with his girlfriend. He said he was grabbed in a carotid choke and dragged away from his friends. He said he did not see who grabbed him from behind.

Ironically Zatkow, a martial arts practicioner, said he was unconcious within ten seconds of being choked and regained consciousness moments later. His friends testified that he was punched in the face while laying unconcious on the ground. He said he did’nt feel the pain in his face untill he regained conciousness.

A Vegas doctor said that the blow caused four fractures to his left eye socket and that the injuries could cause temporary or permanent nerve damage. The full extent is not yet know.

A witness from New York testified on behalf of the defense saying that he saw Koppenhaver hold Zatkow down but that he was not the one that assaulted the victim. He claimed it was another one of the men standing outside the club.

That’s it for now but I will keep you posted and let you know as soon as I get new information!