URGENT UPDATE: Former UFC champion BJ Penn has been arrested and charged with third-degree assault, marking his sixth arrest of 2025. The incident occurred on Tuesday at approximately 11:50 a.m. when police in Hilo, Hawaii took him into custody following a reported assault the previous day.
Authorities responded to the assault report around 1 a.m. and found a 45-year-old victim who alleged that Penn punched and kicked him multiple times. The injured party sought medical attention for his injuries, highlighting the serious nature of the altercation.
Penn, 46, was released on $1,000 bail shortly after his arrest. He is scheduled to appear in court for his initial hearing on the assault charge on December 2, 2025. If convicted of third-degree assault, he faces a potential sentence of up to one year in jail.
This latest legal issue is part of a troubling pattern for Penn, who has faced multiple arrests this year alone. Last month, a judge ordered him to undergo a mental health evaluation, with a follow-up court appearance scheduled for January.
Penn’s ongoing struggles have attracted significant media attention, particularly due to his claims that “imposters” have replaced his family members. His mother, Lorraine Shin, has been granted a protection order against him after filing allegations of domestic abuse in May.
In April, Penn publicly requested that the Hilo Police Department investigate alleged murders within his family, further illustrating the tumultuous circumstances surrounding him.
Once a revered figure in mixed martial arts, Penn’s career ended in 2019 on a seven-fight losing streak, which included three losses by knockout. As he navigates these serious legal challenges, the situation remains fluid, and many will be watching his upcoming court appearances closely.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
