BJ Penn, the former Ultimate Fighting Championship two-division titleholder, has publicly called for urgent help from UFC leadership as he faces severe personal difficulties. Penn, who has recently been barred by court order from living in his family home in Hawaii, appealed directly to UFC officials Dana White and Lorenzo Fertitta for support after enduring multiple setbacks.
The troubled ex-fighter made an emotional video statement on Instagram, highlighting his fears of losing his home and possessions despite his contributions to the sport. Penn described how an “army” has taken over the homes he once lived in and detailed that he is now forced to stay in a small studio, isolated and without resources.
Details of BJ Penn’s Distress and Legal Restrictions
Penn, aged 46, has long been known as “The Prodigy” in MMA circles, earning world championship status in two weight classes during his career. However, in recent years, his life has been marked by troubling incidents, including arrests and bizarre claims involving his deceased family members. Now, as part of a court ruling, he is prohibited from returning to his mother’s house.
In his Instagram plea, Penn emphasized the harsh reality of being pushed out of his longtime family residence:
“This message is for Dana White and Lorenzo Fertitta. I need your help,”
he said.
“I’ve been pushed out. This is the house I grew up in. I’ve lived here my whole life.”
He further lamented,
“I fought in the UFC, became a world champion, and all that stuff. And Mark Mastrov’s UFC gyms—I know we do really well to help promote the UFC gym companies.”
Penn’s Financial and Emotional Appeal to UFC and Sponsors
Penn revealed his precarious current living conditions, showing the cramped studio where he now remains. He warned that if he attempts to retrieve his dogs or personal belongings from his former home, he faces arrest. His emotional appeal called on former sponsors and UFC leadership to recognize his loyalty and sacrifices throughout his career.
“I’m kicked out of the house. An army moved into all of these houses. I need your help,”
Penn stated.
“They’ve got me staying over here in a studio. If I go anywhere near the house up there to get my dogs or anything else, I’ll be arrested.”
He reminded viewers of his dedication during his UFC tenure:
“If any of my sponsors out there—I stayed extra long, or I did anything, because if I was going to do a signing, I never left early. I always stayed, even if I had to stay longer.”
Lost Investments and Threat of Financial Ruin
Penn indicated that all the earnings from his fighting career, sponsorships, and related investments were funneled back into supporting his family.
“I’m the world champion. I’m the one who went out there and took the punches, took the blows,”
he said.
“Here I am, getting pushed out of everything, about to have everything stolen from me. All the money I made from the UFC, UFC gyms, all my sponsors—I invested it all back into my family, into everything. Every dollar I made, I invested back in.”
Concluding his plea, Penn addressed his former UFC bosses and sponsors directly:
“I’m about to have it all taken from me, and I need your help. Dana White, Lorenzo Fertitta, Pat Tenore [founder of RVCA], come down this time and help, please. That’s it. That’s all I gotta say.”
Aftermath of UFC Career and Potential for Support
BJ Penn’s fighting career ended in 2019 when he was released from the UFC following a seven-fight losing streak, closing a chapter marked by extraordinary success and recent decline. Despite this, Penn’s request for aid reflects a significant fall from grace and a desperate situation that has captured public attention.
UFC CEO Dana White has provided financial assistance to former fighters in distress before, including recent support to Ben Askren. Whether Penn’s urgent call will be met with similar generosity remains uncertain, though it underscores the ongoing challenges faced by retired athletes.