Luis Peña (fighter)
Luis Antonio Peña (born July 5, 1993) is an Italian-born American professional mixed martial artist currently competing in the Lightweight division of Absolute Championship Akhmat (ACA). A professional competitor since 2014, Peña competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), most notably being a contestant on season 27. Early life. Luis was born to parents in the Navy stationed in Naples, Italy, but was adopted at a young age by a Latino-American couple. He grew up beginning his wrestling career at Little Rock Central High School, becoming a well-known wrestler. Mixed martial arts career. Early  career. Peña took his first amateur mixed martial arts fight on August 9, 2014. He fought Darian Bradshaw, and won the fight via submission in the second round. Peña finished his amateur career with a record of 15-2. He made his professional debut in 2016, against Chris Petty. He won via knockout. The Ultimate Fighter. Peña competed for Team Cormier on . He fought Jose Martinez Jr. on the third episode of the show, and won the fight via decision. Peña's run on the show was cut short, after suffering an foot injury during his quarterfinal fight. He was  unable to fight for the rest of the show, but was guaranteed a spot on card by UFC president Dana White. Ultimate Fighting Championships. Peña made his UFC debut on July 16, 2018 at against Richie Smullen. He won the fight via a submission in round one. On November 10, 2018, Peña faced Michael Trizano at . He lost the fight via split decision. Peña faced Steven Peterson on March 23, 2019 at UFC Fight Night 148. At the weigh-ins, Luis Peña weighed in at 148.5 lbs, 2.5 pounds over the featherweight non-title fight limit of 146 lbs. Peña  was fined 30% of his fight purse and the bout proceeded at catchweight. He won the fight via unanimous decision. Peña faced Matt Wiman on June 22, 2019 at UFC on ESPN+ 12. He won the fight via technical knockout in round three. Peña faced Matt Frevola on October 12, 2019 at UFC on ESPN+ 19. He lost the fight via split decision. Peña was scheduled to face Alex Muñoz on February 29, 2020 at UFC Fight Night 169. However, on February 23, 2020, it was announced that Muñoz was pulled from the card due to injury, and he was  replaced by Steve Garcia. He won the fight via unanimous decision. Peña faced Khama Worthy on June 27, 2020 at . He lost the fight via a guillotine choke in round three. Peña was suspended four and a half months and fined 15% of his purse by the Nevada State Athletic Commission on September 3, 2020 after he tested positive for marijuana. The suspension was cut from the usual six months due to him taking the fight against Worthy on short notice: marijuana is only considered illegal by USADA during the competition window for fights. It is retroactive to June 17 , 2020 and he will be eligible to compete again on November 2, 2020. Peña was scheduled to face Drakkar Klose, replacing Jai Herbert, on February 20, 2021 at UFC Fight Night 185. However, the bout was cancelled after Klose's corner tested positive for COVID-19. Peña faced Alexander Munoz on April 17, 2021 at UFC on ESPN 22. He won the fight via split decision, with 11 out of 16 media scores giving it to Munoz. Following his October arrest, the UFC announced that Peña was released from the UFC. Absolute Championship Akhmat. Peña announced that he signed with ACA  and would be competing in the ACA Lightweight Grand Prix, with his first bout being against Eduard Vartanyan at on April 15, 2022. Legal troubles. June 2021. On June 18, 2021 Peña was arrested in Florida on charges of strong-arm robbery, battery, and criminal mischief for an incident that allegedly took place on June 14, 2021. In early August 2021 news surfaced that Peña's charges were downgraded to misdemeanor charges of simple battery and criminal mischief but was charged additionally with another misdemeanor battery stemming from an incident that allegedly happened on May 22, 2021. However, his ex -girlfriend decided not to press charges. October 2021. On October 9, 2021, Peña was arrested by Florida police officers for domestic battery after he allegedly struck and bit his girlfriend. Peña also allegedly struck another woman who witnessed the assault when she tried to intervene. November 2021. On November 24, 2021, Peña was arrested by Florida police officers, facing four misdemeanors charges including battery, criminal mischief, battery causing bodily harm, and touching or striking battery or domestic violence. He was booked into the Rein Detention Center in Pompano Beach, Florida. Peña has a court date currently scheduled for April 8 , with the hearing taking place via Zoom and will involve a determination of counsel hearing.