Home
A familiar name from The Ultimate Fighter and the UFC Octagon has officially retired from mixed martial arts. At 31 years old, Luis "Violent Bob Ross" Peña announced his retirement from MMA on Saturday night following a reverse-triangle submission loss to Zach Di Sabatino at Cage Titans 68. After the defeat, Peña symbolically left his gloves in the center of the cage, marking the end of his fighting career. Despite showing promise earlier in his career, Peña’s journey in MMA had taken a downturn in recent years, with a 3-5 record since his departure from the UFC.
Peña initially made a name for himself in the UFC, where he went 5-3 with victories over fighters like Steve Garcia (who is currently on a five-fight win streak), Alex Munoz, and Steven Peterson. His potential was undeniable, but he struggled to maintain consistency in his later career, particularly on the regional circuit.
UFC Exit and Controversy
Peña’s UFC career took a turn in 2021 when he was arrested amid accusations of domestic violence and battery. The arrest, which involved his girlfriend and a woman who intervened, led to his release from the UFC in the midst of his legal troubles.
UFC President Dana White commented on Peña’s release, saying, “I don’t know if you guys read the police report, but yeah, this one had to happen.”
Despite the setback, Peña pled not guilty to the charges, and in 2023, the case was dismissed. Reflecting on the ordeal, Peña expressed the emotional toll the situation took on him, stating that he had lost so much because of what he described as an “injustice,” with his UFC career cut short before he had the chance to fight again at the highest level.
A Career Full of Ups and Downs
Peña’s UFC journey began on The Ultimate Fighter Season 27, where he earned a contract after a strong showing on the show. His UFC debut came on July 16, 2018, at The Ultimate Fighter 27 Finale, where he won by submission in the first round against Richie Smullen. Over the next few years, Peña experienced both victories and setbacks, including a split decision loss to Michael Trizano in November 2018, followed by a notable win over Steven Peterson in March 2019 and a TKO victory over Matt Wiman in June of the same year. However, his career was marked by inconsistency, including a split decision loss to Matt Frevola and a suspension in 2020 after testing positive for marijuana.
Peña’s time in the UFC was also marked by personal challenges, but he continued to compete and even found success outside the promotion. After his UFC release, he transitioned to the regional MMA scene but struggled to regain his former form.
Looking Ahead
While Peña’s MMA career has now officially ended, he’s not leaving combat sports entirely. The fighter has expressed interest in both boxing and kickboxing, suggesting that his fighting career may not be over just yet. Whether he stays retired or decides to explore other avenues remains to be seen, but Luis Peña’s journey through MMA has been a unique and tumultuous one, with plenty of highs and lows along the way.
