B.J. Penn is an American professional mixed martial artist and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner. He is best known for winning both the UFC Lightweight and Welterweight Championships, making him one of the few fighters in UFC history to hold titles in multiple weight classes.
Jay Dee "B.J." Penn III was born on December 13, 1978, in Kailua, Hawaii. The Penn family is well-established in Hawaii, and B.J. grew up deeply rooted in Hawaiian culture. At the age of 17, he was introduced to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) by his friend and instructor Tom Callos. Penn quickly developed a passion for BJJ, which led him to relocate to Northern California to train under Ralph Gracie. His natural talent led to rapid progression in the sport, and he achieved the rank of black belt in just over three years—a rare and exceptional accomplishment. This swift rise earned him the nickname "The Prodigy."
Following his impressive trajectory in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, B.J. Penn transitioned to professional mixed martial arts (MMA). He made his UFC debut on May 24, 2001, at "UFC 31: Locked and Loaded" in Atlantic City, New Jersey, where he secured a victory over Joey Gilbert. His aggressive fighting style and technical mastery quickly made him a fan favorite.
On January 31, 2004, Penn faced Matt Hughes for the UFC Welterweight Championship at "UFC 46: Supernatural" and won the title in just four minutes and thirty-nine seconds via submission, marking a historic victory. He later returned to the lightweight division in June 2007. At "UFC 80: Rapid Fire," Penn defeated Joe Stevenson, earning a shot at the 155-pound lightweight title. After capturing the belt by defeating Sean Sherk, he went on to successfully defend it multiple times before losing the title to Frankie Edgar at "UFC 112: Invincible" on April 10, 2010.
In later years, Penn’s career became overshadowed by personal and legal challenges. In August 2019, video footage published by TMZ showed Penn involved in a physical altercation outside a bar in Hawaii. Although he appeared to control the early part of the fight, he was eventually knocked out. Gary Levitt, a family friend, later stated in an interview with MMA Junkie that Penn had been confronted and struck first by the other individual before the incident escalated.
B.J. Penn has two children with Shealen Uaiwa. In April 2019, Uaiwa filed a restraining order against Penn, including serious allegations of domestic abuse and substance misuse. She alleged that he had physically and verbally assaulted her and engaged in behavior that endangered their children. Though these claims garnered public attention, Penn has denied the allegations, and no criminal charges have been publicly confirmed at the time of writing.
Known as "The Prodigy," B.J. Penn’s legacy in mixed martial arts is significant. He remains one of the few fighters to win UFC titles in two different weight classes. Outside the octagon, he has ventured into other business and media projects, including running a website related to MMA news and commentary. As of recent estimates, Penn’s net worth is roughly $4 million, largely attributed to his UFC winnings, endorsements, and brand ventures.
| Net Worth 2021: | 25 million |
