Who Is B.J. Penn? Age, Biography and Wiki
B.J. Penn, born on December 13, 1978, is celebrated as one of the most iconic mixed martial arts (MMA) fighters in history. Over his illustrious career, Penn has made a name for himself in the UFC, becoming a two-weight world champion and earning respect for his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu skills and striking prowess. As of 2025, B.J. is 46 years old, and he continues to be a significant figure in the MMA community and beyond.
| Occupation | Martial Artist |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | December 13, 1978 |
| Age | 46 Years |
| Birth Place | Kailua, Hawaii, United States |
| Horoscope | Sagittarius |
| Country | U.S |
Popularity
B.J. Penn's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
B.J. Penn stands at approximately 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm) tall and has weighed in at various times throughout his career, typically between 155 and 170 pounds (70 to 77 kg). His athletic frame is a result of rigorous training and dedication to physical fitness, allowing him to compete at the highest levels of the sport.
'''Jay Dee "B.J." Penn III''' (born December 13, 1978) is an American former professional mixed martial art fighter and 5th degree black belt Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) practitioner. A former UFC Lightweight Champion and UFC Welterweight Champion, he is the second of nine fighters in UFC history to win titles in multiple weight classes.
Prior to his MMA career, Penn was known as the first non-Brazilian to win the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship at black belt level. In mixed martial arts, Penn has competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and in K-1 in the Featherweight, Lightweight, Welterweight, Middleweight, and Heavyweight/Openweight divisions.
Penn fought to a draw against Caol Uno in the UFC 41 Lightweight Tournament. Through his tenures as champion, Penn unofficially unified the UFC Lightweight Championship (against Sean Sherk) and broke the all-time lightweight title defense record. In 2015, Penn was made the inaugural inductee into the Modern-era wing of the UFC Hall of Fame.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
As of 2025, B.J. Penn is currently in a relationship. While he has historically kept much of his personal life private, it is known that he has children, and his family has been supportive of his career. Fans are often keen to know more about his dating life, though B.J. tends to keep that aspect of his life under wraps, valuing his privacy.
At the age of 17, Penn began training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu after being introduced to it by his neighbor, Tom Callos. Callos had put up fliers in local gyms looking for people to train with, and B.J.'s father Jay Dee Penn had called Callos and said his boys were interested. Callos then taught B.J. and his brother what he knew.
Shortly thereafter, B.J. moved to San Jose, California, to begin training at the Ralph Gracie BJJ academy with Dave Camarillo, with whom he lived and became close friends. It was here during his time in San Jose that he decided to pursue a martial arts career.
Net Worth and Salary
B.J. Penn's net worth is estimated to be around $20 million as of 2025. Much of his wealth has been accrued through his successful MMA career, including fight purses, bonuses, and endorsements. Having fought in some of the most high-profile events in the UFC, his earnings from fights, alongside various business ventures and sponsorships, have significantly contributed to his financial success.
Penn challenged Georges St-Pierre for St-Pierre's welterweight title on January 31, 2009, the night before the Super Bowl. The date led UFC 94 to be billed as the "UFC Super Bowl Weekend," and it was anticipated to be the biggest UFC pay-per-view event ever.
Before the fight with St-Pierre, Penn made a controversial comment that he was going to try to kill St-Pierre in the ring, but he later explained that he was speaking figuratively.
Career, Business and Investments
B.J. Penn's career in mixed martial arts began in the early 2000s, and he quickly rose through the ranks. His groundbreaking achievements in the UFC led to multiple championship titles. Beyond fighting, Penn has ventured into various business projects, including his own line of MMA training apparel and gyms. His investments have also included real estate and other entrepreneurial endeavors outside the sport.
Penn was considered one of the top pound-for-pound mixed martial artists in the world early in his career and holds victories over opponents such as Din Thomas, Caol Uno, Paul Creighton, and Matt Serra. Penn won the Rumble on the Rock Lightweight Championship in K-1.
He submitted long-reigning then-champion Matt Hughes to capture the UFC Welterweight Championship. Following a period in which Penn competed exclusively for K-1, he returned to the UFC and won the UFC Lightweight Championship. He made a record three subsequent title defenses before losing his title to Frankie Edgar.
Social Network
B.J. Penn is active on several social media platforms, where he engages with fans and shares insights into his life and career. Platforms like Instagram and Twitter are among those he utilizes to connect with his audience, providing updates on his training, personal life, and MMA community involvement. Fans appreciate his candid posts and the authenticity he brings to social media.
On July 7, 2007, during the post-fight press conference of UFC 73, UFC president Dana White announced that Penn would stay at lightweight to fight current UFC Lightweight Champion Sean Sherk.
However, Sean Sherk subsequently was suspended by the California State Athletic Commission, and the status of the possible title fight was left in limbo as he pursued his appeals.
With Sherk's title status still in limbo after months of hearings, the UFC scheduled Penn to fight Joe Stevenson at UFC 80 on January 19, 2008, for an interim lightweight title.
The subsequent final decision by the California State Athletic Commission, which did not overturn Sherk's suspension, led to the title being stripped from Sherk and the Penn-Stevenson fight being upgraded to a full title bout, with the winner facing Sherk in their first defense.
Education
B.J. Penn attended the University of Hawaii at Manoa, where he studied while training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. His martial arts education and background laid the groundwork for his eventual success in mixed martial arts, as he integrated both grappling techniques and striking skills into his fighting style.
