Former UFC lightweight champion BJ Penn has once again found himself in legal trouble after being arrested and charged with third-degree assault in Hawaii — marking his sixth arrest of 2025.
According to the Hawaii Police Department, Penn, 46, was taken into custody without incident at 11:50 a.m. on Tuesday. The arrest followed a report of an assault at a Hilo residence around 1 a.m. the previous day.
The alleged 45-year-old victim told police that Penn punched and kicked him multiple times, leading to injuries that required medical treatment.
BJ Penn Released on Bail, Court Appearance Set for December 2
Police confirmed that Penn, whose full name is Jay Dee Penn, posted $1,000 bail and was released pending his first court appearance scheduled for December 2, 2025.
Under Hawaiian law, third-degree assault is a misdemeanor offense that can result in up to one year in jail upon conviction.
Ongoing Legal and Mental Health Troubles
This latest arrest adds to a growing list of legal issues for the former UFC champion. Earlier in 2025, a judge ordered Penn to undergo a mental health evaluation, with a follow-up court hearing expected in January 2026.
