He fought Javier Mendez for the ISKA World title in Santa Cruz, California, in 1995 but lost a close split decision.
He had supporting roles in films such as 16 Blocks, The Terminal, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, The Sum of All Fears, Jericho Mansions, Max Payne and Pawn Sacrifice.
In 2009, Pla was the writer and director for Burning Mussolini, in which he also acted opposite his friend and ReGenesis co-star Peter Outerbridge.
He also played the main antagonist of Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, Governor Laureano de Torres y Ayala.
In 2017, Pla portrayed the science officer Colonel Janus over the course of five episodes of the space opera TV series, The Expanse.