BJ Penn, a former UFC lightweight and welterweight champion, posted a disturbing video on Instagram on May 20, 2025, alleging that identity thieves are attempting to seize his family’s property in Hawaii. The 46-year-old, visibly emotional, addressed claims that he has no right to his parents’ assets, passionately defending his contributions to their financial stability.
“I just wanted to address for everybody that people come up to me and tell me, ‘I know you feel entitled to all of these properties that your parents had and this and that, but you didn’t buy it, you didn’t build it.’ I just want to say right now, that’s all bullsh*t,” Penn said. “This whole time, I kept this family afloat for years from the financial crash in ‘08 all the way until today. These people are crazy identity thieves. Fighting, always having money, liquid cash. The UFC Gym is there right now paying the mortgage for the bowling alley. These people are crazy, I just had to remind you.” via MMAMania
The video follows earlier posts on X from March 2025, where Penn claimed a woman named Lorraine Abile impersonated his mother, Lorraine Shin, to steal family wealth, including a $2.5 million home sold without his consent. He also alleged his brother was targeted, raising concerns about his mental state among observers. Social media responses expressed worry, with some comparing his situation to tragic cases like Chris Benoit’s, though no evidence supports such parallels.
From MMA Pioneer to Troubled Retirement
BJ Penn began his MMA career in 2001, debuting in the UFC with a knockout win over Joey Gilbert. Known as “The Prodigy,” he became the second UFC lightweight champion in 2008, defeating Joe Stevenson, and briefly held the welterweight title in 2004 after submitting Matt Hughes. With a 16-14-2 record, Penn faced legends like Georges St-Pierre, Frankie Edgar, and Nick Diaz, earning a reputation as a fearless competitor despite a 1-7-1 record in his final nine fights.
His last UFC bout was a unanimous decision loss to Clay Guida at UFC 237 in May 2019, marking his seventh straight defeat, the longest losing streak in UFC history at the time. Off-cage troubles followed, including a 2019 street fight in Hawaii where Penn was knocked out after initially dominating an altercation, and a 2020 DUI investigation after flipping his car. UFC president Dana White banned Penn from fighting in the promotion after these incidents, citing his declining performance and personal struggles.
Penn’s recent claims add to a pattern of alarming behavior. In 2021, he nearly drowned after being sucked into a wave pool engine room in Hawaii, surviving injuries and infections. He attributed his resilience to his fighting experience, urging others to “stay calm” in crises. His 2025 video suggests ongoing disputes over family assets, including a bowling alley and UFC Gym, which he claims to have financially supported since the 2008 economic crash.
The MMA community remains concerned about Penn’s well-being, with no official UFC response to his latest allegations. Posts on X reflect a mix of sympathy and alarm, urging intervention to prevent further escalation. Penn’s focus remains on protecting his family’s legacy, though details about the alleged identity theft remain unverified by authorities.
As Penn navigates these personal challenges, his contributions to MMA endure. His fearless style and two-division championship status cemented his 2015 induction into the UFC Hall of Fame. Yet, his post-retirement struggles highlight the difficulties some fighters face outside the octagon, leaving the MMA world hopeful for his stability.
