Darren Sharper -- Gets 9 Years in AZ Rape Case

Darren Sharper pled guilty to 2 counts of sexual assault in Arizona -- one of four states where he faces rape charges -- and was sentenced to 9 years in prison.

The ex-NFL star was in L.A. to enter his plea in the California rape cases -- but addressed the judge in AZ over FaceTime. In addition to the 9 year sentence ... Sharper will be on probation for life.

As we TMZ Sports first reported ... Sharper is getting a max sentence of 8 years in Nevada ... to be served concurrently with his sentences in the other states.