Luis Pena didn’t find MMA’s most recent controversy all that controversial.
Pena (8-2 MMA, 4-2 UFC), a UFC lightweight, supports Robert Drysdale’s cornering of Max Rohskopf at this past Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 11 in Las Vegas.
Drysdale was criticized by some in the MMA bubble for pushing his fighter in between rounds to continue fighting. Rohskopf (5-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC) had repeatedly told Drysdale he no longer wanted to continue fighting.
If Pena found himself if Rohskopf’s situation, he’d like his coach to do the same as Drysdale. However, he also indicated he’s never lacked motivation during a fight.
“The reason I support Robert Drysdale, and the way he handled that whole situation, is because if I’m ever in that situation, I want my coach to try to motivate me to get back out there,” Pena told reporters during the UFC on ESPN 12 virtual media day. “I mean, that’s never been something I’ve needed. I’ve never needed my coaches to motivate me to get back out there. It’s never been a thought to me in between rounds to not go back out there and fight as hard as I can.”
Pena has a fight of his own this weekend. “Violent Bob Ross” takes on Khama Worthy this Saturday at UFC on ESPN 12 in Las Vegas. Pena said he’s ready to put on a show for the fans.
“I respect Khama, he’s got power in his hands,” Pena said. “He’s a good technical striker. He’s going to be hard to put away. He’s a tough guy, but at the same time, I believe in my skills. So I just think it makes for a great matchup. People ask me and I go back to the Andre Fili, Charles Jourdain fight from a couple of weeks ago, I really believe we can put on a similar performance.”
Check out the full UFC on ESPN 12 virtual pre-fight media scrum in the video above.
Luis Pena doesn't think Robert Drysdale's cornering of Max Rohskopf should be controversial