Who is BJ Penn?
B.J. Penn is a professional MM artist who has competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship and K-1. But what is BJ Penn’s net worth? Is this a question on your mind too? Read on, and you will have all your answers fully addressed.
He is the second of seven fighters in UFC history to win belts in multiple weight classes and is primarily one of the best fighters to ever compete in the sport.
What is BJ Penn’s Net Worth?
He was allowed to fight for the Lightweight Championship less than a year after entering the UFC, and he won, becoming the Lightweight Champion. However, a new conflict arose between him and the UFC; BJ Penn wanted to fight, but the UFC was not ready; both parties went to court and permitted BJ Penn to travel to Japan.
He fought in all weight classes at the Pride Championships in Japan, from lightweight to heavyweight, and he was on the verge of winning a heavyweight bout. After a brief stint with Pride, he returned to the UFC and was re-crowned Lightweight Champion.
He did not give up when he lost the championship for the fourth time after defending it three times and moving up a weight class to welterweight. BJ Penn’s net worth is estimated to be $5 million. He made the majority of his money fighting for the UFC. Aside from that, he made a good profit when he sold his company, bj penn.com.
The table below illustrates B.J. Penn’s net worth growth in the last five years to date:
| Net Worth in 2022 | $5.0 Million |
| Net Worth in 2021 | $4.5 Million |
| Net Worth in 2020 | $4.0 Million |
| Net Worth in 2019 | $3.5 Million |
| Net Worth in 2018 | $3.0 Million |
| Net Worth in 2017 | $2.5 Million |
Chatty Stats About BJ Penn
The table below shows the statistics of the different fights which BJ Penn has participated in capturing the event and the particular date, how many rounds it lasted, the method of winning, win or lose and the different opponents he has faced.
| W/L | Event/Date | Method | Opponent | Rounds |
| Loss | UFC 237 – Namajunas vs. Andrade May/11/2019 | Decision (Unanimous) | Clay Guida | 3 |
| Loss | UFC 232 – Jones vs. Gustafsson 2 Dec/29/2018 | Submission (Heel Hook) | Ryan Hall | 1 |
| Loss | UFC Fight Night 112 – Chiesa vs. Lee Jun/25/2017 | Decision (Majority) | Dennis Siver | 3 |
| Loss | UFC Fight Night 103 – Rodriguez vs. Penn Jan/15/2017 | TKO (Punches) | Yair Rodriguez | 2 |
| Loss | UFC – The Ultimate Fighter 19 Finale Jul/06/2014 | TKO (Punches) | Frankie Edgar | 3 |
| Loss | UFC on Fox 5 – Henderson vs. Diaz Dec/08/2012 | Decision (Unanimous) | Rory MacDonald | 3 |
| Loss | UFC 137 – Penn vs. Diaz Oct/29/2011 | Decision (Unanimous) | Nick Diaz | 3 |
| Draw | UFC 127 – Penn vs. Fitch Feb/27/2011 | Draw (Majority) | Jon Fitch | 3 |
| Win | UFC 123 – Rampage vs. Machida Nov/20/2010 | KO (Punches) | Matt Hughes | 1 |
| Loss | UFC 118 – Edgar vs. Penn 2 Aug/28/2010 | Decision (Unanimous) | Frankie Edgar | 5 |
| Loss | UFC 112 – Invincible Apr/10/2010 | Decision (Unanimous) | Frankie Edgar | 5 |
| Win | UFC 107 – Penn vs. Sanchez Dec/12/2009 | TKO (Doctor Stoppage) | Diego Sanchez | 5 |
| Win | UFC 101 – Declaration Aug/08/2009 | Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) | Kenny Florian | 4 |
| Loss | UFC 94 – St. Pierre vs. Penn 2 Jan/31/2009 | TKO (Corner Stoppage) | Georges St. Pierre | 4 |
| win | UFC 84 – Ill Will May/24/2008 | TKO (Knee and Punches) | Sean Sherk | 3 |
| Win | UFC 80 – Rapid Fire Jan/19/2008 | Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) | Joe Stevenson | 2 |
| Win | UFC – The Ultimate Fighter 5 Finale Jun/23/2007 | Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) | Jens Pulver | 2 |
| Loss | UFC 63 – Hughes vs. Penn 2 Sep/23/2006 | TKO (Punches) | Matt Hughes | 3 |
| Loss | UFC 58 – USA vs. Canada Mar/04/2006 | Decision (Split) | Georges St. Pierre | 3 |
| Win | K-1 – World Grand Prix Hawaii Jul/29/2005 | Decision (Unanimous) | Renzo Gracie | 3 |
| Loss | K-1 – Hero’s 1 Mar/26/2005 | Decision (Unanimous) | Lyoto Machida | 3 |
| Win | ROTR 6 – Rumble on the Rock 6 Nov/20/2004 | Decision (Unanimous) | Rodrigo Gracie | 3 |
| Win | K-1 MMA – Romanex May/22/2004 | Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke) | Duane Ludwig | 1 |
| Win | UFC 46 – Supernatural Jan/31/2004 | Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) | Matt Hughes | 1 |
| Win | ROTR 4 – Rumble on the Rock 4 Oct/10/2003 | Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) | Takanori Gomi | 3 |
| Draw | UFC 41 – Onslaught Feb/28/2003 | Draw (Split) | Caol Uno | 5 |
| Win | UFC 39 – The Warriors Return Sep/27/2002 | Decision (Unanimous) | Matt Serra | 3 |
| Win | UFC 37 – High Impact May/10/2002 | TKO (Punches) | Paul Creighton | 2 |
| Loss | UFC 35 – Throwdown Jan/11/2002 | Decision (Majority) | Jens Pulver | 5 |
| Win | UFC 34 – High Voltage Nov/02/2001 | KO (Punches) | Caol Uno | 1 |
| Win | UFC 32 – Showdown in the Meadowlands Jun/29/2001 | KO (Knee and Punches) | Din Thomas | 1 |
| Win | UFC 31 – Locked & Loaded May/04/2001 | TKO (Punches) | Joey Gilbert | 1 |
BJ Penn’s Early Career
Jay Dee Penn III, better known as B.J. Penn was born in Kailua, Hawaii, in 1978. Loraine, his mother, is of Hawaiian and Korean descent, while Jay, his father, is Irish-American. Penn was introduced to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu by his neighbor Tom Callos when he was 17 years old, and he began practicing the discipline shortly after.
Shortly after, he relocated to San Jose, California, to train at the Ralph Gracie academy. He trained with his roommate and friend Dave Camarillo there, and he chose to pursue a career in martial arts. Penn began studying with Ralph Gracie, a Brazilian martial artist, in 1997 and eventually got his purple belt.
After that, he proceeded to the Nova Unio academy in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where he won silver and bronze medals at the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship. He received his black belt from Andre Pederneiras in 2000. He won gold in the black-belt division of the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship just a few weeks later, becoming the first non-Brazilian and first American to do so.
Getting Into the UFC, Leaving and Coming Back Again
Start in UFC
Penn chose to switch to MMA fighting after his amazing exploits at the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship garnered the attention of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He first competed in the UFC in 2001, defeating Joey Gilbert at UFC 31.
Penn knocked out lightweights Caol Uno and Din Thomas before losing a decision to Lightweight Champion Jens Pulver in a championship match. Penn bounced back at the Rumble on the Rock Lightweight Championship, defeating Takanori Gomi and winning his first MMA title.
Following that, he won his first UFC belt at UFC 46: Supernatural, defeating five-time defending Welterweight Champion Matt Hughes in a shocking upset.
Return to UFC
Penn made a comeback to the UFC in 2006 as a welterweight contender. He made his comeback at UFC 58 when Georges St-Pierre defeated him in a controversial split decision.
Penn achieved even more success in 2008 when he defeated Joe Stevenson by rear-naked choke to capture the Lightweight Championship, making him only the second man in UFC history to win belts in two weight classes. At UFC 84, Penn defeated former champion Sean Sherk in his first championship defense fight.
Later, in early 2009, Penn competed for George St-welterweight Pierre’s belt; however, he lost in a stoppage bout. Penn bounced back in August, defeating Kenny Florian to retain his lightweight title at UFC 101. At UFC 107 in December, he successfully defended his championship by knocking out the previously undefeated Diego Sanchez.
After a record three title defenses, Penn finally lost the belt to Frankie Edgar at UFC 112. Due to the controversy surrounding the outcome, a rematch was held, which Penn again lost. Later that year, Penn returned to the welterweight class, defeating Matt Hughes at UFC 123. However, Penn declared his retirement following a significant loss to Nick Diaz at UFC 137.
After a few months away, he returned to fight Rory MacDonald, who had constantly challenged Penn during his absence. A unanimous decision in their fight defeated Penn.
Penn returned to the UFC in 2017 to face Yair Rodrguez at UFC Bout Night 103, which he lost via TKO after more hiatuses, a coaching role on the reality show “The Ultimate Fighter,” and multiple fight delays due to injuries. Penn’s losing streak continued in 2018 and 2019 at UFC 232 and UFC 237, respectively.
Legal Issues Associated With BJ Penn
Penn has been in legal problems several times over his career, frequently due to intoxication-related violence. He was jailed in Kihei, Hawaii, in 2015 for attacking patrons in a bar brawl.
Penn’s ex-girlfriend Shealen Uaiwa and their children later obtained a restraining order against him and their children in 2019, with Uaiwa alleging her former partner of years of physical abuse. Penn was released from the UFC the following year after being involved in yet another bar altercation.
He was involved in a car collision in Hawaii in 2020 while likely under the influence of alcohol. He was charged with DUI for another incident in Hawaii the following year.
BJ Penn’s Legacy
Penn has become one of the most well-known figures in mixed martial arts since his debut in the UFC. He has starred in several main events, and he takes credit for revitalizing the lightweight class. Penn’s bestows honor upon the UFC’s first trademark gym in Honolulu, Hawaii.
BJ Penn became Hawaii’s most well-known athlete through mixed martial arts, but not always for the right reasons. He’s now one of the most influential martial arts instructors globally.