New York: Former UFC lightweight champion BJ Penn has once again found himself in legal trouble after being arrested and charged with third-degree assault in Hawaii — marking his sixth arrest of 2025.
According to the Hawaii Police Department, Penn, 46, was taken into custody without incident at 11:50 a.m. on Tuesday. The arrest followed a report of an assault at a Hilo residence around 1 a.m. the previous day.
The alleged 45-year-old victim told police that Penn punched and kicked him multiple times, leading to injuries that required medical treatment.
BJ Penn Released on Bail, Court Appearance Set for December 2
Police confirmed that Penn, whose full name is Jay Dee Penn, posted $1,000 bail and was released pending his first court appearance scheduled for December 2, 2025.
Under Hawaiian law, third-degree assault is a misdemeanor offense that can result in up to one year in jail upon conviction.
Ongoing Legal and Mental Health Troubles
This latest arrest adds to a growing list of legal issues for the former UFC champion. Earlier in 2025, a judge ordered Penn to undergo a mental health evaluation, with a follow-up court hearing expected in January 2026.
Penn’s recent troubles reportedly stem from delusional beliefs that “imposters” have replaced his family members. His mother, Lorraine Shin, previously secured a protection order against him following domestic abuse allegations in May 2025.
In April, Penn made public appeals for police to “investigate the murders” of his family members — a claim authorities have found no evidence to support.
A Once-Great Career Tarnished by Controversy
BJ Penn, a UFC Hall of Famer and former lightweight and welterweight champion, was once celebrated as one of mixed martial arts’ greatest talents. Known as “The Prodigy,” he became one of the first fighters to hold titles in multiple UFC weight divisions.
However, his MMA career ended in 2019 after a seven-fight losing streak between 2011 and 2019, including three knockout defeats. Since retirement, Penn has faced multiple arrests ranging from DUI to domestic incidents, tarnishing his once-legendary legacy in combat sports.
With another court date approaching and mounting legal troubles, BJ Penn’s post-fighting career continues to spiral downward. Once revered for his dominance inside the octagon, the former UFC champion now finds himself battling a far different opponent — the consequences of his own actions.
