B.J. Penn

For the Assistant Secretary of the Navy, see B. J. Penn (United States Navy).

B.J. Penn
Penn in 2019
BornJay Dee Penn III
(1978-12-13) December 13, 1978 (age 45)
Kailua, Hawaii,[1] United States
Other namesThe Prodigy
ResidenceHilo, Hawaii
Height5 ft 9 in (175 cm)
Weight145 lb (66 kg; 10 st 5 lb)
DivisionFeatherweight (2014–2017)
Lightweight (2001–2003, 2007–2010, 2018-2019)
Welterweight (2004, 2006, 2010–2012)
Middleweight (2004–2005)
Openweight (2005)
Reach70 in (178 cm)
StyleBrazilian Jiu-Jitsu
TeamB.J. Penn's MMA
TrainerJason Parillo
Rank5th degree black belt in BJJ[a]
Years active2001–2014, 2017–2019
Mixed martial arts record
Total32
Wins16
By knockout7
By submission6
By decision3
Losses14
By knockout4
By submission1
By decision9
Draws2
Other information
Notable school(s)Hilo High School
Websitebjpenn.com
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Medal record
Representing  United States
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
World Championship
Gold medal – first place 2000 Rio de Janeiro −70 kg

Jay Dee "B.J." Penn III (born December 13, 1978)[2] is an American former professional mixed martial art fighter and 5th degree black belt Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) practitioner.[a] A former UFC Lightweight Champion and UFC Welterweight Champion, he is the second of nine fighters in UFC history to win titles in multiple weight classes.[4]

Prior to his MMA career, Penn was known as the first non-Brazilian to win the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship at black belt level. In mixed martial arts, Penn has competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and in K-1 in the Featherweight, Lightweight, Welterweight, Middleweight, and Heavyweight/Openweight divisions. Penn fought to a draw against Caol Uno in the UFC 41 Lightweight Tournament.[5] Through his tenures as champion, Penn unofficially unified the UFC Lightweight Championship (against Sean Sherk)[6][7] and broke the all-time lightweight title defense record. In 2015, Penn was made the inaugural inductee into the Modern-era wing of the UFC Hall of Fame.[8]

Penn was considered one of the top pound-for-pound mixed martial artists in the world early in his career and holds victories over opponents such as Din Thomas, Caol Uno, Paul Creighton, and Matt Serra. Penn won the Rumble on the Rock Lightweight Championship in K-1. He submitted long-reigning then-champion Matt Hughes to capture the UFC Welterweight Championship.[9]

Following a period in which Penn competed exclusively for K-1, he returned to the UFC and won the UFC Lightweight Championship. He made a record three subsequent title defenses before losing his title to Frankie Edgar.[10]

UFC President, Dana White, credits Penn with bringing the lower weight divisions into the mainstream of mixed martial arts; he describes Penn as "the first crossover pay-per-view star for the Ultimate Fighting Championship's lighter weight divisions",[11][12] as well as saying that "[through his] accomplishments, B.J. Penn built the 155-pound division".[13]

Penn hoped to run for governor of Hawaii in the 2022 Hawaii gubernatorial election but was eliminated in the Republican Party primary.

Penn is regarded as one of the best competitors in the UFC's history.[14] However, he has been criticized for continuing to fight past his prime, including an eight-fight winless streak from 2011 to 2019.[15]

  1. ^ BJ Penn – Official UFC® Fighter Profile. Ufc.com. Retrieved on October 30, 2011.
  2. ^ BJ Penn – Biography and Profile of BJ Penn Archived April 6, 2010, at the Wayback Machine. Martialarts.about.com (December 12, 1978). Retrieved on 2011-10-30.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference BJJHeroes was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Jackson, Bill. "The Five Top UFC Champions of All-Time". Bleacher Report. Retrieved January 25, 2023.
  5. ^ Sherdog.com. "MMA in 2003: Peering Into the Rearview".
  6. ^ Rabey, Rabey (July 25, 2011). "Sean Sherk Wants Top Contender When He Returns". Addicted MMA. Archived from the original on May 1, 2013.
  7. ^ Rick, LaFitte. "UFC Great B.J. Penn Making Improbable Return at Featherweight For Frankie Edgar Trilogy". Rant Sports.
  8. ^ "BJ Penn is 'Absolutely a UFC Hall of Famer' says Dana White". Yahoo! Sports.
  9. ^ "BJ Penn : Official MMA Fight Record (16-10-2)".
  10. ^ O'Dowd, Daniel. "BJ Penn: Truly Untouchable at 155lbs?". Bleacher Report.
  11. ^ "Dana White on why Ronda Rousey will headline UFC 157: 'She's the champ'". MMAFighting.com. December 16, 2012.
  12. ^ "Dana White: Tito Ortiz, BJ Penn Deserve to Be in UFC Hall of Fame". MMAFighting.com. December 16, 2012.
  13. ^ "White: B.J. Penn is 'almost' on weight already ahead of featherweight debut". Bloodyelbow. October 21, 2013.
  14. ^ "BJ Penn: The 10 Most Memorable Moments from the Career of the UFC 'Prodigy'". Bleacher Report. December 3, 2012.
  15. ^ "BJ Penn: The 10 Most Memorable Moments from the Career of the UFC 'Prodigy'". Sportscasting. September 14, 2019.


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