In Wake Of Luis Peña, Chuck Liddell Domestic Violence Charges, Fighters Are ‘Now Discovering The Effects Of Competition’
Three UFC fighters have been arrested on domestic violence charges these past few weeks and fans are beginning to get concerned.
Bellator featherweight champion Cris Cyborg shared her thoughts on the recent arrests and brought up Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). She said that we are “still new to the sport of MMA” and are now discovering the effects of competition – something similar to the NFL.
One of the first signs of widespread CTE in the NFL came when close family members started to notice violent changes in their loved ones personalities. We are still new to the sport of MMA and just now discovering the lasting effects of competition.
— #Bellator271 @CrisCyborg.Com Returns Nov 12th (@criscyborg) October 11, 2021
“One of the first signs of widespread CTE in the NFL came when close family members started to notice violent changes in their loved ones personalities. We are still new to the sport of MMA and just now discovering the lasting effects of competition,” she tweeted.
Lightweight UFC fighter Luis Peña is the latest in the slew of arrests.
TMZ reported Tuesday that Peña, 28, was arrested and charged with battery domestic violence on Saturday. The incident reportedly stemmed from a physical altercation with his girlfriend who claims Peña punched her “multiple times with a closed fist.”
A second woman reportedly stepped in to intervene, but was knocked to the ground with a closed fish. Both alleged victims sustained minor injuries. Peña was released on a $6,000 bond.
He has also been released from the UFC later Tuesday.
“At this time, UFC believes Mr. Peña needs to deal with the health and legal issues in front of him, and consequently has informed Mr. Peña’s management that his promotional agreement has been terminated,” the UFC said in a statement, continuing that Peña “has been open about his struggles with mental health and substance abuse issues” and the UFC has “on multiple occasions attempted to help him get professional treatment.”
This is his second arrest of the year.
Meanwhile, fans are questioning why Jon Jones is still on the UFC roster following a September 24 arrest on charges of injury/tampering a vehicle and misdemeanor battery domestic violence.
Jones, a UFC sensation, has since been released on bail and is due in court on October 26.
After cutting Luis Pena for domestic violence allegations, let’s see if Jon Jones gets the same treatment… #ufc
— Weasle (@ThaWeasle) October 13, 2021
UFC pioneer Chuck Liddell was also arrested and charged with domestic violence on Monday.
According to little details, there was a verbal dispute, which turned physical between Liddell and his wife, professional poker player Heidi Northcott.
He said he was a victim of the incident, noting that he volunteered to go with authorities in place of his wife. In a statement about it, he asked to “respect our privacy as I help to navigate our family through this difficult time.”