“The Ultimate Fighter 27” vet Luis Pena was certain he’d have no trouble dropping to featherweight.
But after missing weight by 2.5 pounds for his division debut opposite Steven Peterson (17-7 MMA, 1-1 UFC), Pena (5-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC) is apologizing to fans and the UFC.
In a statement posted on his official Twitter account, Pena said circumstances beyond his control preceded the misstep. He still took responsibility for the gaffe.
“Please don’t think I was in (sic) anyway trying to miss weight on purpose,” he wrote. “I approached the last part of my cut in the wrong way and that is on me.”
The Tennessee Athletic Commission fined Pena 30 percent of his purse, which went to Peterson. The fight will still go on as scheduled.
Pena has fought twice in the UFC as a lightweight, going 1-1 in the division. In a previous interview with MMA Junkie, he said he decided to move down in weight after seeing heavier colleagues weigh in excess of 180 pounds on fight day. He said he’d have no troubles getting down to 145 pounds with his lanky frame.
After a public misstep, Pena is being forced to re-examine his approach.
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