text: It is a miracle she survived. With 18 broken bones, a broken nose, a ruptured kidney, a ruptured liver, missing teeth, and a fractured rib, Christy Mack was unrecognisable as she fled her Las Vegas home on August 8, 2014. It was the climax, the former porn star claims, of an abusive on-off relationship with MMA fighter Jonathan Paul Koppenhaver, known professionally as War Machine. Now, nine months later, she has to wear a wig and glasses, and is still undergoing reparative dental work - while fighting to see Koppenhaver convicted of attempted murder. The journey, she tells ESPN, has been monumental. Scroll down for video . Recovering: Nine months ago, ex-porn star Christy Mack was in hospital fighting for her life (left). Now she is on the road to recovery, and has to wear glasses and a wig (right) after her boyfriend allegedly beat her . Relationship: Mack, 23, claims Koppenhaver, 33, became abusive months into their one-year relationship . 'I didn't look in the mirror for weeks,' she said. 'Just feeling my face, I knew it wasn't right. So when I'd look in the mirror, it's not me - that person wasn't me. It's so hard to go every day without being you anymore.' Mack, 23, claims Koppenhaver, 33, became abusive four months into their one-year relationship, which started fast. When they met on a photo shoot set, she had pneumonia and he offered to look after her, bringing pizza to her hotel, she told ESPN. 'It was an amazing connection. I feel in love really quick,' she said. Injuries: Mack posted this message on Twitter soon after the attack to show how she had been hurt . Bruised: Mack published this picture of her leg in the wake of the attack . Beaten and swollen: As well as the shocking images, Mack posted a description of the evening, claiming Koppenhaver had also cut off her hair with a blunt knife in the scuffle . Happier times: Mack says they met on a photo shoot when she had pneumonia and he offered to care for her . She said she believed, after the first attack, that it would never happen again. Around six months later, a male friend Corey Thomas was sleeping in her bed when she says Koppenhaver, who had a spare key, burst in. Koppenhaver allegedly beat Thomas then told him to go, but not to phone 911. Then, prosecutors allege, he approached Mack with a kitchen knife. He beat her and used the knife to saw off her mohawk, she told police. Injured: Mack, who has agreed to be identified in reporting of the case, was left with broken bones and a ruptured liver by the attack. She is pictured testifying against her former boyfriend in court last fall . Objection: A prosecutor asked that the court record that Koppenhaver was laughing and shaking his head as Mack said that he sexually assaulted her . Cuffed: Koppenhaver has maintained his innocence and tweeted that he was also beaten by another man . War Machine: Koppenhaver, who has legally changed his name to War Machine, will be tried this fall . It wasn't until he went to the kitchen that she was able to flee to a neighbor's house, it is claimed. Koppenhaver maintains his innocence. Throughout court proceedings, he has dismissed the 26 charges against him as 'heart breaking', insisting he was a victim. He took to Twitter days after the alleged attack to say that he had gone to propose to Mack but 'ended up fighting for my life'. 'I only wish that man hadn't been there and that Christy & I would be happily engaged. I don't know (why) I'm so cursed. One day truth will come out,' he wrote. Mack, who had already been a supporter and donor for women's right groups before her attack, slams the critics who targeted her with abuse that suggested she got what she deserved. 'It wasn't OK for people to say I got what I deserved when they had no idea what my struggle was.' The court will resume the case this fall.
target: Christy Mack, 23, claims ex-boyfriend Jonathan Paul Koppenhaver, 33, beat and raped her until she almost died at her home on August 8, 2014 .
  She had been asleep next to a male friend when he 'burst in with a knife'
  Koppenhaver, who goes by the name War Machine, claims to be innocent .
  Mack has opened up about her recovery, now needs glasses and a wig .
  The case against Koppenhaver, who faces 26 charges, resumes this fall .