Luis was born to parents in the Navy stationed in Naples, Italy, but was adopted at a young age by a Latino-American couple.[5] He grew up beginning his wrestling career at Little Rock Central High School, becoming a well-known wrestler and claiming the state championship in the process.[5]
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.[6] 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.[7]
The Ultimate Fighter
Peña competed for Team Cormier on The Ultimate Fighter: Undefeated.[8] He fought Jose Martinez Jr. on the third episode of the show, and won the fight via decision.[9] Peña's run on the show was cut short, after suffering a foot injury during his quarterfinal fight.[10] He was unable to fight for the rest of the show, but was guaranteed a spot on The Ultimate Fighter 27 Finale card by UFC president Dana White.[11]
Ultimate Fighting Championships
Peña made his UFC debut on July 16, 2018, at The Ultimate Fighter 27 Finale against Richie Smullen.[12] He won the fight via a submission in round one.[13]
Peña faced Steven Peterson on March 23, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 148.[16] 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.[17] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[18]
Peña was scheduled to face Alex Muñoz on February 29, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 169.[23] However, on February 23, 2020, it was announced that Muñoz was pulled from the card due to injury,[24] and he was replaced by Steve Garcia.[25] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[26]
Peña faced Khama Worthy on June 27, 2020, at UFC on ESPN: Poirier vs. Hooker.[27] He lost the fight via a guillotine choke in round three.[28] 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.[29]
Peña was scheduled to face Drakkar Klose, replacing Jai Herbert, on February 20, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 185.[30] However, the bout was canceled after Klose's corner tested positive for COVID-19.[31]
Peña faced Alexander Munoz on April 17, 2021, at UFC on ESPN 22.[32] He won the fight via split decision, with 11 out of 16 media scores giving it to Munoz.[33][34]
Following his October arrest, the UFC announced that Peña had been released from the UFC.[35]
Post UFC
Peña announced that he had signed with ACA and would be competing in the ACA Lightweight Grand Prix, with his first bout being against Eduard Vartanyan at ACA 139 on May 21, 2022.[36][37] Pena would pull out of the bout due to having trouble securing a visa.[38]
Peña was instead booked against Zach Zane in a 160 lb catchweight bout as the main event of Titan FC 76 on May 6, 2022.[39] He won the bout via triangle choke under a minute into the first round.[40]
Peña faced Gustavo Wurlitzer on June 3, 2022, at Titan FC 77. He won the bout at the end of the first round via TKO.[41]
Peña faced Will Brooks at XMMA 5 on July 23, 2022.[42] He lost the bout via unanimous decision.[43]
Peña faced Michael Dufort at Aries Fight Series 16 on April 22, 2023. He lost the bout via submission in the first round.[44]
Pena next fought Dedrek Sanders at Aries Fight Series 25 on April 6, 2024.[45] He would snap his three fight losing streak beating Sanders via unanimous decision.[46]
Pena next fought John Simon at Cage Titans 67 on September 14, 2024. He would lose the fight via unanimous decision. [47]
Pena's next bout was against Zach DiSabatino at Cage Titans less than 2 months later on November 9, 2024. He would lose the fight via submission to an inverted triangle choke late in the third round. After the fight, Pena laid his gloves down in the middle of the cage, thus announcing his retirement and an end to his mixed martial arts career. [48]
Boxing career
Peña faced Vaughn Alexander on May 12, 2017, he lost the bout via TKO in the third round.[49]
Peña faced Jarvis Williams on June 17, 2017, he lost the bout via Unanimous decision.[50]
Peña faced Erasmo Garcia on November 18, 2017, the bout was deemed a Majority draw after two of the three judges scored the bout 57-57.[51]
Peña faced Morgan Griggie on May 18, 2022, he lost the bout via Majority decision.[52]
Peña faced James Rodriguez on April 29, 2023, he lost the bout via Majority decision.[53]
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.[54] In early August 2021 news surfaced that Peña's charges had been downgraded to misdemeanor charges of simple battery and criminal mischief. He was, however, charged with another misdemeanor battery stemming from an incident that allegedly happened on May 22, 2021. However, his ex-girlfriend decided not to press charges.[55]
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.[56][57] On June 10, 2022, Peña pleaded not guilty to the charges via a written plea; court date to be determined.[58] In July 2023, Peña announced on his social media that the case was completely dismissed by the court.[59]
November 2021
On November 24, 2021, Peña was arrested in Broward County, Florida on four misdemeanor charges including battery, criminal mischief, battery causing bodily harm, and domestic battery. He was booked into the Rein Detention Center in Pompano Beach, Florida.[60][36] In June 2022, it was revealed that the case was disposed without further information.[58]
