B.J. Penn is publicly requesting help from UFC CEO Dana White and other sponsors, as he appears to be struggling with the ongoing legal issues.
Jay Dee “B.J.” Penn III is an American former professional mixed martial arts fighter and a 5th-degree black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ).
A former UFC Lightweight Champion and UFC Welterweight Champion, he is the second of ten fighters in UFC history to win titles in multiple weight classes.
Before his MMA career, he was known as the first non-Brazilian to win the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship at black belt level.
He was considered one of the top pound-for-pound mixed martial artists in the world early in his career and holds victories over opponents such as Din Thomas, Caol Uno, Paul Creighton, and Matt Serra.
Penn is regarded as one of the best competitors in the UFC’s history.
UFC president, Dana White, credits Penn with bringing the lower weight divisions into the mainstream of mixed martial arts; he describes Penn as “the first crossover pay-per-view star for the UFC’s lightweight divisions.
Penn hoped to run for governor of Hawaii in the 2022 Hawaii gubernatorial election but was eliminated in the Republican Party primary.
B.J. Penn Is Asking For Help From UFC President Dana White As He Navigates Ongoing Legal Troubles
Jay Dee “B.J.” Penn III has been arrested several times in recent months in Hilo, Hawaii, for charges of abusing and assaulting his mother.
Several months ago, Penn started making posts on social media alleging that his family had been murdered and replaced by impostors trying to steal his assets.
On Monday, Penn claimed that his mother was replaced 15 years ago, and both of his daughters had been replaced, his brother JD had been poisoned, and the alleged murderers used tunnels under everyone’s house.
Penn’s mother, Lorraine Shin, recently filed for and was granted a restraining order against her son. In the filing, she stated her belief that Penn was suffering from a condition called Capgras delusional syndrome.
He was issued a restraining order, which he subsequently violated, leading to his most recent arrest.
Earlier this month, Penn, who doesn’t have any representative attorney, represented himself in court.
He is scheduled for another hearing in August 2025, at which the court will discuss granting Penn court-appointed “standby counsel.”
Between ongoing legal issues, Penn is now seeking assistance from UFC President Dana White, former UFC CEO Lorenzo Fertitta, and other sponsors, as he appears to be struggling with the current situation.
He made the video to request help. He said,
“This message is for Dana White and Lorenzo Fertitta. I need your guys’ help,” “I’ve been pushed out. This is the house I grew up in. I’ve lived here my whole life. Fought in the UFC, became a world champion and all that stuff. Mark Mastrov, UFC Gyms, I know we do really well to help promote the UFC Gym companies. … I’m kicked out of the house. An army moved in to all of these houses. I need your guys’ help. They got me staying over here in this studio. If I go anywhere near the house up there, I try to get my dogs, get whatever I can, I’ll be arrested. They got me over here staying in this studio. Just think about it. No one’s here to help me. “If any of my sponsors out there, that I stayed extra long or I did anything – becuase I always know that I was gonna do a signing, I never leave early. I always stayed if I gotta stay longer. But they got me staying in this studio over here. They want me to do my laundry at the laundromat and I’m the world champion. I’m the one who went out there and took the punches, took the blows, and here we are getting pushed out of everything, about to have everything stolen from us. All the money I made from the UFC, UFC Gyms, all my sponsors – all invested back into my family, into everything. Every dollar I made invested back in. I’m about to get it all taken from me and I need your guys’ help. Dana White, Lorenzo Fertitta, Pat Tenore, come down this time and help this time, please.”
B.J. Penn
In the video’s caption, Penn claimed that he had been baited and provoked into attacking by the “army of thieves.” He also stated that attempts have been made on his life. He wrote,
“POWER ISN’T HOW MUCH YOU CAN HURT SOMEONE POWER IS HOW MUCH YOU CAN HELP SOMEONE! I didn’t start this fight. This is an army of theives and they are here to steal everything I worked for. If I ever made anyone money like the @UFC @UFCGYMS @rvca @pmtenore or did anything kind or helpful for anyone that has the power to make a difference I would appreciate your help with this robbery that is taking place in Hilo, Hawaii! They are trying to make attempts on my life and they are trying to provoke me to attack some of them but If I take the bate and I touch one of them, I will go to jail and lose everything. I didn’t know who else to ask so I figure I ask any of the business partners that we had good business relationships with to give me help against this army of thieves.”
BJ. Penn
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Penn has an extended history of alcohol-induced violence. In January 2015, he was arrested in Kihei, Hawaii, and charged with assault after a brawl outside a bar.
- During the televised broadcast of UFC 187 in May 2015, it was announced on FOX Sports that Penn would be inducted into the revamped UFC Hall of Fame under the Modern Era category during International Fight Week festivities preceding UFC 189.
- On January 23, 2021, Penn was arrested in Honokaa, Hawaii, and was charged with DUI. He was later released from jail hours after his arrest pending an investigation.
- He was also the subject of a Paternity Lawsuit about a daughter, approximately a year after the girl’s birth.
