UFC fighter Luis Peña arrested in Broward on charges of domestic violence and battery
UFC lightweight fighter Luis Peña was arrested this weekend in Broward County after deputies say he punched and bit a woman he was in an “intimate relationship” with for more than a year.
Deputies responded to a domestic disturbance call near the 200 block of Southeast 12th Avenue in Deerfield Beach around 12:34 a.m. Saturday, according to the Broward County Sheriff’s Office.
Once there, the deputies “made contact” with multiple people and later arrested Peña, the sheriff’s office said.
The 28-year-old was charged with battery with intent to cause bodily harm and domestic-violence battery, according to Broward court records. Both charges are misdemeanors. No attorney information was listed.
Deputies say Peña “did actually and intentionally strike [the victim] in the face multiple times with a closed fist and continued to strike [the victim] while she was on the ground.”
The woman suffered minor abrasions on her hand and wrist and there was “an alleged bite mark to her left knee region,” according to the report.
Another woman tried to intervene and was also injured, deputies say.
Peña is being held at the Broward County main jail in Fort Lauderdale on a bond of $5,000 for the battery charge and $1,000 for the domestic-violence battery charge, according to Broward County Sheriff’s Office arrest records.
This is the second time in five months that Peña, who is known as “Violent Bob Ross,” has been arrested in South Florida.
In June, he was arrested in Boca Raton on charges of robbery by sudden snatching, battery and criminal mischief after a fight with his ex-girlfriend, according to Palm Beach County online court records.
The charge of robbery by sudden snatching was dropped, but Peña is still facing charges of battery and criminal mischief. Peña has pleaded not guilty to the charges. In late August, his ex-girlfriend filed an affidavit requesting that the remaining charges in the June case be dismissed. His next court hearing for the June incident is on Oct. 28.
Peña has not fought since his win over Alexander Muñoz in April, according to ESPN.
Editor Note: This article was updated to clarify Peña’s charges.
Miami Herald staff writer Carli Teproff contributed to this report.
This story was originally published October 11, 2021 at 11:02 AM.
