Former UFC two-division champion BJ Penn is dealing with new authorized troubles after Hawaii Island police arrested and charged him with third-degree assault following an incident in Hilo early Tuesday morning. The 46-year-old militant was taken into custody on November 4, 2025, following a troubling sample of current clashes with legislation enforcement.
BJ Penn arrested on assault cost in Hilo, turns into sixth particular person to be arrested in 2025
In accordance with Hawaii Police, officers had been dispatched to a house on Kanoa Road in Hilo round 1 a.m. for a report of an assault. The 45-year-old male sufferer reported that Penn punched and kicked him a number of occasions earlier than the sufferer left the scene and known as police. The sufferer then sought therapy for his accidents at Hilo Benioff Medical Middle.
Officers situated Penn on Lehua Road in Hilo at 11:50 a.m. and arrested him with out incident. His bail was set at $1,000 and he was later launched on bond. Mr. Penn is scheduled to make his first look in Hilo District Courtroom on December 2 at 1:00 p.m.
The arrest is the most recent chapter in a collection of extraordinarily troubling authorized troubles for the UFC Corridor of Famer. Since late Could 2025, Penn has been arrested 5 occasions, primarily associated to household costs and violations of non-disclosure orders.
The sample started in late Could, when Penn was arrested twice in two days on costs of abuse in opposition to a member of the family or family member. His mom, Lorraine Singh, filed for a restraining order in opposition to her son, alleging excessive psychological abuse. In courtroom paperwork, Ms. Singh mentioned Penn accused her of being a con artist who “killed her household” and lied about her id.
Ms. Singh expressed the idea that Penn might have Capgras syndrome. Capgras syndrome is a uncommon psychological sickness that causes individuals to consider their family members have been changed by the identical impostor. This situation is usually related to mind harm, neurodegenerative illnesses, or different psychiatric diseases.
Mr. Penn was arrested once more on Could 30 for failing to look in courtroom after claiming he had contracted the coronavirus. A fourth particular person was arrested on June twelfth for violating a short lived restraining order. In September, Penn was arrested for the fifth time for coming into premises in violation of a court-ordered safety order, and his bail was set at $2,000.
In October, Decide Peter Kubota of Hawaii’s Third Circuit Courtroom ordered Penn to bear a psychological well being analysis to evaluate his competency and prison accountability within the pending case. The result of the analysis might have a serious impression on the course of his authorized problem.
Mr. Penn’s involvement with legislation enforcement extends past 2025. In January 2015, he was arrested in Kihei, Hawaii, and charged with assault after allegedly punching his pal Kuipo Mokiao outdoors a bar, fracturing his eye socket. The case was reportedly resolved with out a formal conviction as a result of Penn agreed to pay for his medical payments.
In 2019, Penn was concerned in a bar combat on the Lava Shack in Pahoa, Hawaii, the place he was knocked down after which was seen on video mounting one other man and punching him repeatedly. UFC president Dana White launched Penn from the group after the incident, saying he wanted to give attention to his private life earlier than contemplating a rematch.
In January 2021, Penn was arrested on suspicion of driving beneath the affect in Honokaa, Hawaii after a police officer noticed indicators of impairment throughout a reckless driving incident. Video footage from the arrest confirmed Penn yelling racial slurs at police as he was put right into a automotive.
Penn’s preventing profession ranked him among the many sport’s elite athletes. He grew to become the second fighter in UFC historical past to win championships in a number of weight courses, successful each the light-weight and welterweight titles. He was the primary non-Brazilian to win the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship at black belt stage. In 2015, Penn was chosen because the inaugural member of the Trendy Wing of the UFC Corridor of Fame.
