Luis Pena, who shot to fame on The Ultimate Fighter and won over fans thanks to his “Violent Bob Ross” persona, is a UFC fighter no more.
Hit with his second domestic violence charge this year just days ago, Pena has been released by the promotion. News of Pena’s exit was first reported by TMZ, who also published a statement from promotion officials.
“UFC is aware of the disturbing allegations concerning the recent arrest of Luis Pena. Mr. Pena has been open about his struggles with mental health and substance abuse issues and the organization has on multiple prior occasions attempted to help him get professional treatment,” UFC officials wrote in the statement.
“At this time, UFC believes Mr. Pena needs to deal with the health and legal issues in front of him, and consequently has informed Mr. Pena’s management that his promotional agreement has been terminated.”
Pena (9-3) posted a 5-3 record while with the UFC, joining the promotion in 2018 after being injured on The Ultimate Fighter 27, forcing him out of the tournament. A tall, lanky lightweight, Pena seemed primed for UFC stardom, and had a feelgood moment last year when he reunited with his biological brother and other family members.
Born in Naples, Italy to members of the American Navy, Pena had been adopted as a child.
Unfortunately, Pena’s career took a turn earlier this year when he was charged with Battery and Robbery by Sudden Snatching, both felony counts, and a criminal mischief charge. Pena would later speak publicly of mental health struggles.
Those charges were later downgraded to misdemeanors, only for Pena to be hit with another misdemeanor battery charge related to a May incident with his ex-girlfriend. She later declined to pursue the charges.
The final straw came this weekend, when Pena was accused another domestic violence incident, and charged with battery and domestic violence. He has since posted $6,000 bail and been released.
According to a report by MMA Fighting, Pena struck his partner of over a year with a closed fist multiple times, left a bite mark on her knee, and also struck a second woman who attempted to intervene, knocking her to the ground.
None of the most recent allegations have been proven in court.
