URGENT UPDATE: Former UFC star BJ Penn has been arrested and charged with third-degree assault in his sixth arrest of 2025. The incident occurred on Tuesday, with Penn, aged 46, taken into custody without incident at 11:50 a.m. by the Hawaii Police Department.
Authorities responded to reports of an assault at a residence in Hilo, Hawaii, around 1 a.m. the previous day. The alleged victim, a 45-year-old man, accused Penn of punching and kicking him multiple times, leading to injuries that required medical attention.
After his arrest, Penn posted $1,000 bail and is scheduled to make his initial court appearance on the assault charge on December 2. In Hawaii, a conviction on a third-degree assault charge can result in up to one year in jail.
This latest incident adds to a troubling year for Penn, who has faced a series of legal issues. Just last month, a judge ordered him to undergo a mental health evaluation. Penn is expected to appear in court regarding this evaluation in January.
Background reports indicate that Penn has expressed concerns about “imposters” replacing his family members, leading to significant distress within his family. Earlier this year, his mother, Lorraine Shin, obtained a protection order against him following allegations of domestic abuse.
In April, Penn made headlines when he requested the Hilo Police Department investigate alleged murders in his family, claiming that fraudulent individuals were attempting to steal from them.
Once a celebrated fighter, Penn retired from mixed martial arts in 2019 after a difficult career ending on a seven-fight losing streak. He suffered three knockout losses during that period, leaving fans and supporters concerned about his well-being.
As this story develops, all eyes will be on Penn’s upcoming court appearances and how this situation continues to unfold. Stay tuned for more updates on this urgent matter.
