B.J. Penn (Jay Dee Penn III) is a professional mixed martial artist and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner from the United States. He is regarded as one of the best fighters of all time, as well as the greatest Lightweight warrior in the history of mixed martial arts. Before joining the UFC, he became the first American to earn a gold medal at the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship. He’s fought in the Featherweight, Lightweight, Welterweight, and Middleweight divisions, winning multiple championships along the way. Only five fighters in UFC history have won titles in various weight classes, and he is the second of them. Later on, he competed in K-1.

What is the net worth of BJ Penn?

BJ Penn makes a living as a professional mixed martial artist. He has gained the reputation of being one of the best fighters in the history of mixed martial arts. Contracts, fight victories, and bonuses all contribute to his earnings. His estimated net worth is $22 million.

What is BJ Penn Famous For?

• The first American to win a World Jiu-Jitsu Championship gold medal.
• Only five fighters in UFC history have won championships in different weight classes.
• One of the best lightweight competitors in the world.

Where was BJ Penn Born?

On December 13, 1978, BJ Penn was born. Jay Dee Penn III is his given name. In the United States, he was born in Kailua, Hawaii. He is an American citizen. Jay Dee Penn, his father, and Loraine Shin, his mother, are his parents. Jay Dee Penn, Jay Dee Penn II, and Reagan are his three siblings. Jay Dee Penn is the younger brother of Jay Dee Penn, who has two elder brothers named Jay Dee Penn and Jay Dee Penn II.

At the age of 17, he began training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He subsequently relocated to San Jose, California, to study BJJ at the Ralph Gracie gym. After that, he chose to pursue a martial arts career.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu:

In 1997, he began training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with Ralph Gracie.

Gracie eventually awarded him the purple belt.

He then relocated to Nova Uniao, where he obtained his black belt in the year 2000.

He was the first non-Brazilian to win the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship’s black-belt division.

He had previously placed third in the brown belt level and second in the blue belt division.

UFC:

He decided to join the UFC.

In May 2001, he made his MMA debut, defeating Joey Gilbert.

In K-1 Fighting Network’s Rumble on the Rock, he defeated future PRIDE Lightweight Champion Takanori Gomi to win his first MMA championship, the Rumble on the Rock Lightweight Championship.

In 2004, he defeated five-time defending UFC Welterweight Champion Matt Hughes in one of the greatest submission victories in mixed martial arts history to win his first UFC Championship, the Welterweight Championship.

Fighting and Entertainment Group:

He agreed to compete exclusively for the K-1 promotion of the Japanese Fighting and Entertainment Group (FEG).

At the 2004 K-1 MMA Romanex, he defeated Duane Ludwig and Rodrigo Gracie in the middleweight division.

In 2005, he was defeated by Lyoto Machida in the first event of FEG’s new MMA organization Hero’s.

At the K-1 World Grand Prix Hawaii, he defeated Pride Fighting Championship veteran Renzo Gracie.

Return to the UFC:

In early 2006, he returned to the UFC.

In March 2006, he returned to the UFC and lost against Georges St-Pierre.

In September 2006, he fought Hughes for the Welterweight Championship for the second time at UFC 63. Penn was defeated by Hughes after suffering a rib ailment in the second round.

In 2007, he served as a coach for The Ultimate Fighter 5.

In January 2008, he won the Lightweight Championship after defeating Joe Stevenson in the second round at UFC 80. Penn’s victory was selected Beatdown of the Year by Sherdog in 2008.

He was also the second man, after Randy Couture, to win UFC belts in two categories.

In May 2008, he defended his Lightweight title against Sean Sherk in what was regarded as the biggest fight in the UFC lightweight division’s history.

He then challenged Georges St-Pierre for the welterweight championship.

After the fight was interrupted by the referee in the fourth round, St-Pierre won. Penn was so badly hurt that he had to be taken to the hospital and missed the post-fight press conference. However, their fight sparked controversy, dubbed “Greasegate” by Penn fans. Following the application of Vaseline on St-face, Pierre’s his cornermen were seen stroking his back. Penn requested that the NSAC look into it. NSAC, on the other hand, denied the request.

He returned to the Lightweight category and went on to capture the title in December 2009 at UFC 107, defeating Diego Sanchez by TKO in the fifth round.

When he lost his lightweight title to Frankie Edgar at UFC 112 in April 2010, he broke an eight-year undefeated streak in the division.

At UFC 123, he returned to welterweight and defeated Matt Hughes.

At UFC 127, his bout with Jon Fitch ended in a draw.

Following his loss to Nick Diaz at UFC 137 in November 2011, he announced his retirement.

He accepted Rory MacDonald’s challenge and returned to combat.

Penn fought MacDonald in December 2012 at UFC on Fox 5. Penn was defeated by a unanimous decision.

In 2013, he went to the Featherweight class to coach for The Ultimate Fighter’s 19th season.

After his loss to Edgar, he proclaimed his intention to retire.

He had an 18-month break from the game.

He confirmed his intention to fight in the featherweight division again in January 2016.

His June 2016 fight against Cole Miller was called off when he was caught using a medically-administered IV during a non-fight period.

After returning to action in January 2017, he fought but lost to Yair Rodriguez at UFC Fight Night 103.

In December 2018, he returned to lightweight and was defeated by Ryan Hall at UFC 232. In May 2019, he was defeated by Clay Guida at UFC 237.

Who is BJ Penn Married to?

BJ Penn has never been married. He had two kids with Shealen Uaiwa, with whom he was in a relationship. Uaiwa requested a restraining order against him, claiming that he had abused her physically and sexually for years. The order was issued in February of this year.

He currently resides in Hilo, Hawaii.

In January 2015, he was arrested for violence at a bar in Kihei, Hawaii.

What are BJ Penn Body Measurements?

BJ Penn is 1.75 meters tall, or 5 feet and 9 inches tall. He weighs 145 pounds, or 66 kilograms. He has a muscular physique. He has a height of 70 inches and a reach of 70 inches.

Quick Facts About BJ Penn