Former world kickboxing champion Dennis Alexio was not in federal court today for his sentencing to 15 years in prison for tax fraud, money laundering and other charges because he refused to leave his cell at the Federal Detention Center.

U.S. District Judge J. Michael Seabright ruled that Alexio, 58, voluntarily gave up his right to be present and sentenced him to 15 years in prison for filing false tax returns and for converting the fraudulent refunds into cashiers checks to prevent the government from reclaiming the money.

Seabright sentenced Alexio to 97 months in prison for using fraudulent government documents to purchase gold bars and silver coins, but ordered the sentence to run at the same time as the 15-year term. He also ordered Alexio to repay the $168,923 he stole from the IRS and $202,495 he stole from two precious metals and coin dealers.

Alexio held world kickboxing championship belts as a light heavyweight, cruiser weight and heavyweight from 1984 to 1991.