Hearing delayed for MMA fighter "Iron Mike" on sexual assault charges

[News_Editor]

Hearing delayed for MMA fighter "Iron Mike" on sexual assault charges

2010-12-02 02:12:47 GMT+7 (ICT)

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA (BNO NEWS) -- A preliminary hearing on Wednesday was delayed for a third time for mixed martial arts (MMA) professional fighter Michael "Iron Mike" Whitehead on sexual assault charges.

The preliminary hearing was postponed because one of the alleged victims is currently out of the country and is not available to testify. Justice of the Peace Tony Abbatangelo rescheduled the hearing for February 7.

Deputy District Attorney Jake Merback informed that the alleged victim is visiting a sick relative and will not return to the United States until after the first month of next year. Whitehead opposed the delay through his attorney Keith Brower.

Whitehead, 29, is accused of sexually assaulting a woman on April 10. The woman told police officers that she and a friend went to Iron Mike’s residence for a barbecue. After having some drinks, the women decided not to drive home.

The MMA fighter told the women that they could sleep in his bed. However, one of the women awoke and found her pants down and Whitehead having sex with her in the bed. She reportedly demanded in repeated occasions to stop but he continued for about three minutes.

The second woman was next to them in the bed and said that she witnessed the assault. The witness even alleged that Whitehead groped her during the incident. After the assault, Iron Mike sat in a chair in the bedroom.

The fighter voluntarily turned himself in on April 14 and was booked into the Clark County Detention Center on a charge of sexual assault, attempted sexual assault and open and gross lewdness. He was not taken into custody.

Whitehead is a well-known MMA fighter in the U.S. He competed in several organizations including UFC and Strikeforce as light heavyweight and heavyweight. He participated in the reality show "The Ultimate Fighter 2" where he lose to the eventual season winner Rashad Evans.

His last fight was a technical knockout win (TKO) in the fourth round to Chase Gormley on July 10. He also won won the IFC heavyweight championship in that fight.

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