MMA star BJ Penn has stirred controversy by accusing UFC women’s bantamweight champion Kayla Harrison of using a body double during the UFC 316 weigh-ins before her title bout against Julianna Pena. These startling allegations came after Penn scrutinized photos from the event, suggesting foul play behind Harrison’s ability to make weight despite her previous competition weight classes.
Harrison, known for her judo career at 171 pounds and competing as a lightweight prior to joining the UFC, faced skepticism over her ability to remain a bantamweight for the long term. At 35 years old, she appeared visibly drained during the title fight weigh-ins but went on to win the championship with a flawless performance. Penn’s accusations challenge the legitimacy of her weigh-in process and question how she managed to hit the scale successfully.
Details of Penn’s Allegations and Fan Reactions
In a public post addressing his concerns, Penn wrote,
“We live in a fantasy world, a world of illusion. The great task of life is finding reality! [It] is what it is. The masked c***s don’t have to take a drug test or weigh in. What an advantage that is.”
—BJ Penn, MMA legend
He went further by including other prominent UFC fighters like Georges St-Pierre, Khabib Nurmagomedov, and Islam Makhachev in his accusations, implying they also benefitted from similar tactics. Fans of mixed martial arts expressed varied reactions, with some criticizing Penn harshly for his bizarre comments, as seen in the quotes below:
“BJ Penn has transformed into a brain dead r****d unfortunately.”
—fight fan
“Yep. It’s official. Penn went crazy. No meds will fix that brain of his. No lawsuit will uncover hidden truths.”
—fight fan
“He’s right ,and I’m shocked more ppl haven’t caught on yet.”
—fight fan
Earlier Disturbing Claims by BJ Penn about His Family
These statements about Kayla Harrison are part of a larger pattern of unusual claims made by Penn recently. Earlier this year, the 46-year-old fighter alleged that his family had been murdered and replaced by impostors controlled by powerful forces aiming to seize his assets. Penn has shared numerous videos accusing these alleged impostors and has faced legal trouble, including two arrests for family abuse charges.
His request for a court-supervised identity test for his mother was recently denied, further complicating his struggles. These personal difficulties have contributed to the anxious and distressed atmosphere surrounding Penn while fans and observers try to make sense of his erratic behavior.
Impact and What Might Follow
Penn’s explosive accusations targeting Kayla Harrison and other UFC fighters have amplified tension among fight fans and within the MMA community. The Kayla Harrison UFC weigh-in controversy raises questions about weigh-in integrity and fighter conduct ahead of high-profile bouts. While no evidence has surfaced to support claims of body doubles or cheating at UFC 316, the dispute spotlights ongoing concerns about trust and transparency in MMA.
As Penn continues to make unsettling statements about his personal life and others in the sport, the MMA world watches closely to see if these controversies will lead to any formal investigations or changes to weigh-in procedures. Meanwhile, Kayla Harrison remains focused on her reign as champion following her performance against Julianna Pena.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why did Kayla Harrison adopt her kids?
A. Harrison’s sister had issues with addiction, so their mom took care of her children at first. When their mom had a stroke in 2019 and their stepdad died in 2020, Harrison decided to adopt the kids. He took in eight-year-old Kyla and two-year-old Emery.