Joey Chestnut will defend Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest title on July 4 while serving probation sentence

Joey Chestnut will beryllium successful Coney Island defending his Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest connected July 4 contempt being connected probation.

Chestnut pleaded blameworthy to a misdemeanor artillery complaint connected April 20 and was sentenced to 180 days of probation successful Hamilton County, Indiana.

However, "Jaws" was granted support to recreation extracurricular nan state, which allows him to participate successful nan arena he’s won 17 times, including this past year, connected July 4 successful New York City. He had antecedently revenge petitions to recreation extracurricular Indiana pinch nan Hot Dog Eating Contest taking place.

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Joey Chestnut wins nan men's title astatine Nathan's Annual Hot Dog Eating Contest successful New York City connected July 4, 2025. He returned to compete for a 17th triumph aft missing nan 2024 arena owed to a sponsorship conflict pinch Major League Eating. (Adam Gray/Getty Images)

Chestnut, regarded arsenic 1 of nan champion competitory eaters of each time, was accused of slapping a man successful nan look during a nighttime retired astatine an Indiana barroom astir 2 a.m. connected March 21, per Us Weekly. He later told authorities that he was drunk and didn’t callback nan relationship pinch nan man.

The man besides claimed he recognized and approached Chestnut while astatine nan barroom and shook his manus earlier he was slapped connected nan near broadside of his face.

JOEY CHESTNUT SENTENCED TO PROBATION AFTER PLEADING GUILTY TO DRUNKENLY SLAPPING A MAN AT BAR

"The accused pulled [the victim] forward, moves person and uses his correct manus to onslaught [the victim] connected nan look pinch an unfastened hand. [The victim] is observed reacting to nan onslaught and moving his caput downward and holding it location while nan accused stands complete him and [his friend]," nan serviceman said successful an affidavit obtained by Us Weekly. "[Chestnut] moves toward [the victim] again and [the victim] moves distant from nan accused.

"The rubbing was nude, insolent aliases angry because nan open-handed onslaught was nonconsensual to nan unfortunate successful a mode that caused symptom while nan accused allegedly utilized provocative connection toward nan unfortunate to illicit a reaction."

Chestnut’s attorney, Mario Massillamany, said that his customer took "full work for this misunderstanding," nan outlet reported.

Joey Chestnut wins nan men's title astatine Nathan's Annual Hot Dog Eating Contest successful New York City connected July 4, 2025. He returned to compete for a 17th triumph aft missing nan 2024 arena owed to a sponsorship conflict pinch Major League Eating. (Adam Gray/Getty Images)

Chestnut will beryllium going for his 18th title successful his past 19 attempts, though he whitethorn person had different 1 if not for Nathan’s banning him from title successful 2024. He had signed a woody pinch Nathan’s rival, Impossible Foods, anterior to nan competition.

But Chestnut and organizers of nan arena recovered communal crushed connected sponsorships earlier nan 2025 contest.

He went connected to devour 70.5 basking dogs and buns successful nan 10-minute timeframe.

Joey Chestnut grabbed a protester by nan cervix who interrupted nan 2022 Nathan's Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest successful Coney Island, New York City, connected July 4, 2022. (Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images)

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Now that he’s locked successful for nan contest, Chestnut should beryllium nan overwhelming favorite. He’s besides coming disconnected a triumph successful nan 2026 Ultimate Bologna Showdown successful Tennessee, winning nan arena 3 years consecutive now. Chestnut ate 16 pounds of sausage successful 8 minutes, mounting a caller world record.

Fox News’ Ryan Morik and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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