MMA fighter arrested on suspicion of sexual assault

A mixed martial arts fighter was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of sexual assault, Las Vegas police said Thursday.

Police said Michael Whitehead, 28, who has fought in Strikeforce and participated in the reality show "The Ultimate Fighter 2" on Spike TV, faces several charges including two counts of sexual assault and one count each of attempted sexual assault and open and gross lewdness.

Police said their investigation began Saturday. They served a search warrant at Whitehead's home on the 4600 block of Stuttgart Street, near Tropicana Avenue and El Capitan Way. He turned himself in on Wednesday, police said.

According to Whitehead's arrest report, two women went to Whitehead's home for a barbecue on April 9. The women, ages 32 and 27, stayed at Whitehead's home overnight because they had been drinking and did not want to drive, the report said.

Whitehead offered to let the women sleep on his bed. One of the women awoke to Whitehead raping her, according to the report. The other woman said she awoke at a different time to Whitehead rubbing his penis against her. That woman also said he was fondling her while he raped the other woman.

Both women asked Whitehead to stop, according to the report. One of the women called police after leaving Whitehead's home Saturday.

The report said that one of the women told police she received a text from Whitehead's phone that read: "Babe I'm sorry about last night!! I'm very ashamed."

During the search of Whitehead's home, police found a marijuana-growing operation of more than 40 plants in an upstairs bedroom, the report said.

Whitehead was booked into the Clark County Detention Center. Jail records indicate he is no longer at the facility.

Contact reporter Antonio Planas at aplanas@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-4638.