Credit:Getty/UFC
Credit: Getty/UFC
More details have emerged surrounding the
arrest of UFC veteran Luis Pena
last weekend.
According to an affadavit from the Boca Raton Police Department,
Pena was charged with robbery by sudden snatching, battery and
criminal mischief following a fight with his girlfriend on June 14.
The fighter known as “Violent Bob Ross” is currently in Broward
County Detention Center, where he awaits transport to Palm Beach
County.
ESPN was first to report the new details in the case.
Pena allegedly smashed the woman’s phone on the ground after
accusing her of looking at other men on Instagram. Pena’s
girlfriend told police that a fight then ensued in which she ended
up with a laceration on her lip along with scratches and redness on
her knuckles.
Boca Raton Police received an anonymous tip that night that Pena
was suicidal, in possession of a gun and knife and was planning to
return to his girlfriend’s home to kill her. Pena refused to
provide a statement when contacted by authorities, instead opting
to hire a lawyer for a future meeting.
In a follow-up interview with Pena’s girlfriend on June 15, the
woman claimed that Pena punched her in the head when she asked him
to leave, but she refused to let police she the lump that the blow
allegedly caused. She also claimed Pena had a gun and threatened to
kill himself during a Facetime session a few weeks earlier.
Pena is being held without bail because he was arrested in Broward
County, and he needs to be transported to see a judge in Palm Beach
Country before he is granted bail. Pena’s attorney, Daniel
Martinez, told ESPN that the entire situation is “much ado about
nothing” and wants to have the fighter transported as soon as
possible.
“Luis, as many other fighters do, need help and not punishment,”
Martinez told ESPN. “Fighters have a very difficult job. They get
hit in the head. We don’t know what the long-term effects are.”
Pena recently authored a couple posts on social media about his
battle with mental health issues. the 27-year-old Pena has compiled
a 5-3 record in the Octagon since beginning his promotional tenure
in July 2018. He last competed on April 17, when he took a split
decision against Alex Munoz
at UFC on ESPN 22. The UFC is currently investigating the situation
and will not schedule a fight for Pena until it receives more
information on the case, according to the ESPN report.