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UFC veteran Luis Pena arrested, charged with robbery, battery in Florida

UFC veteran fighter Luis Pena was arrested on charges of robbery and assault in Florida on Friday, ESPN and MMA Fighting reported.

Pena was taken into custody by the Coral Springs (Florida) Police Department on an extradition warrant from another Florida county's police department. Those details were not available, per MMA Fighting. He was picked up by police on an anonymous tip to his whereabouts, and as of Saturday night was being held by the Broward County Detention Center on a hold from Palm Beach County, per ESPN.

Luis Pena
Luis Pena was arrested in Florida. (Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC) (Chris Unger via Getty Images)

Pena, 27, was charged with robbery by sudden snatching, battery, and criminal mischief. The robbery and battery charges are listed as "pending trial." Christian Swinson, a public information officer for the Coral Springs Police Department, told MMA Fighting it could mean Pena missed an arraignment hearing for those charges prior, or they were added into the course of the investigation following initial charges, triggering the warrant.

On Wednesday, Pena tweeted about "serious mental health issues" he's dealt with his entire life and is getting help.

He wrote:

"People aren't comfortable talking about this, but I have been going through serious mental health issues my entire life and have finally gained the strength to get and accept the help I've needed for a long time. If you're struggling take it from me it's okay to reach out."

He re-tweeted fans wishing him good thoughts and sharing their own stories.

Pena's team at First Round Management did not respond to requests for comment from either ESPN or MMA Fighting. Hunter Campbell, UFC's executive vice president and chief business officer, told ESPN they're looking into the situation and have been aware Pena is going through mental health and substance issues.

Campbell said the UFC would not book a fight for him until it finds out more, per ESPN. Pena's last fight was a win against Alexander Munoz on April 17.

Last year he was suspended for a positive marijuana test. He is 5-3 in the UFC.

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