Dana White: Luis Pena’s Release ‘Had To Happen’

UFC president Dana White knew he’d come under fire for releasing Luis Pena.

And it had nothing to do with actually releasing Pena.

First, Pena, who competed on season 27 of The Ultimate Fighter, was arrested this past weekend after an altercation with his partner. According to reports, he punched and continued striking the woman.

A second female attempted to stop the incident. However, the report states that Pena also struck her with a closed fist. 

Pena was eventually released on bond, but the UFC parted ways immediately. 

Where White has come under fire is the move to release Pena and keep Jon Jones. Jones, a former UFC light heavyweight champion, was also arrested recently for domestic violence. 

Pena, though, also was arrested four months ago on charges of robbery, battery and criminal mischief. That also involved the same partner, who later asked for the charges to be dismissed. 

“This was a bad case and we knew he had problems before that we were trying to help him with,” White said after the latest episode of Contender’s Series (thanks to MMA Fighting for the quotes). “This was a pretty nasty one. I don’t know if you guys read the police report, but this one had to happen.”

There has not been an update to the case involving Jones. “Bones” is working on competing at heavyweight for his next bout after a lengthy run at 205 pounds.