BJ Penn, known as “The Prodigy,” is a legendary figure in mixed martial arts.
He was born to Jay Dee Penn, an Irish-American father, and Loraine Shin, a third-generation Korean-American mother.
In this article, you will learn about B.J. Penn’s net worth, salary, career earnings, contract, stats, wife, career overview, and more.
B.J. Penn’s Biography
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jay Dee “B.J.” Penn III |
| Date of Birth | December 13, 1978 |
| Place of Birth | Kailua, Hawaii, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Mixed (Irish, English, Korean) |
| Height | 5’9″ (1.75 m) |
| Weight Class | Featherweight, Lightweight, Welterweight |
| Nickname | “The Prodigy”, “Baby Jay” |
| Fighting Style | Mixed Martial Arts, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu |
| BJJ Rank | 5th-degree black belt |
| Notable Achievements | UFC Lightweight Champion, UFC Welterweight Champion |
| MMA Record | 16-14-2 |
| UFC Hall of Fame | Inducted in 2015 (Modern-era wing) |
B.J. Penn is considered one of the most influential figures in mixed martial arts history.
Penn began training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at age 17 and quickly rose to prominence in the sport.
Early Career
Began training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at age 17 after being introduced to it by his neighbor Tom Callos. Moved to San Jose, California, to train at Ralph Gracie’s BJJ academy.
Trained with Dave Camarillo and decided to pursue a career in martial arts. Earned his BJJ black belt in just 3 years under Andre Pederneiras.
In 2000, became the first non-Brazilian to win gold at the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship in the black belt division.
Professional Career
Made his MMA debut in 2001 at UFC 31, winning against Joey Gilbert. Won his next 2 UFC fights against Din Thomas and Caol Uno.
Lost his first title fight against lightweight champion Jens Pulver in 2002. Won the UFC welterweight championship in 2004 by submitting Matt Hughes.
Became only the second fighter to win UFC titles in multiple weight classes. Left the UFC briefly in 2004 to fight for K-1 in Japan. Returned to the UFC in 2006.
Won the UFC lightweight title in 2008 by defeating Joe Stevenson. Successfully defended the title 3 times before losing it to Frankie Edgar in 2010.
Girlfriend
B.J. Penn is not married but has a long-term partner named Shealen Uaiwa. Penn and Uaiwa have 2 daughters, Aeva and Kulia.
B.J. Penn’s Net Worth Details
B.J. Penn’s net worth is estimated to be $25 million as of 2025.
Contract
- B.J. Penn was officially released from his UFC contract in September 2019.
- UFC President Dana White announced the release, stating that Penn would not fight in the UFC again.
- This decision came after a series of incidents outside the octagon, including videos showing Penn in a physical altercation in Hawaii.
Fight Purses
| Event | Opponent | Purse |
|---|---|---|
| UFC 46 | Matt Hughes | $50,000 |
| UFC 84 | Sean Sherk | $250,000 |
| UFC 123 | Matt Hughes | $380,000 |
| Later fights | Various | ~$150,000 per fight |
Endorsements
Here are the key details about B.J. Penn’s endorsements:
Reebok Sponsorship:
- Penn benefited from Reebok sponsorship money in his later years with the UFC
Last Shot Energy Drinks:
- Penn has an endorsement deal with Last Shot energy drinks
RVCA Partnership:
- Penn previously had a partnership with clothing company RVCA
- However, this partnership was terminated when such sponsorships were banned from the UFC by President Dana White
Limited Sponsorship Opportunities:
- Penn was popular before sponsorships took hold in the UFC, which may have limited his endorsement opportunities compared to later fighters.
Fight Stats
| Result | Opponent | Event | Date | Method | Round | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | Clay Guida | UFC 237 | May 11, 2019 | Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 5:00 |
| Loss | Ryan Hall | UFC 232 | Dec 29, 2018 | Submission (heel hook) | 1 | 2:46 |
| Loss | Dennis Siver | UFC Fight Night 112 | Jun 25, 2017 | Decision (majority) | 3 | 5:00 |
| Loss | Yair Rodríguez | UFC Fight Night 103 | Jan 15, 2017 | TKO (front kick and punches) | 2 | 0:24 |
| Loss | Frankie Edgar | TUF 19 Finale | Jul 6, 2014 | TKO (punches) | 3 | 4:16 |
| Loss | Rory MacDonald | UFC on Fox 5 | Dec 8, 2012 | Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 5:00 |
| Loss | Nick Diaz | UFC 137 | Oct 29, 2011 | Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 5:00 |
| Draw | Jon Fitch | UFC 127 | Feb 27, 2011 | Draw (majority) | 3 | 5:00 |
| Win | Matt Hughes | UFC 123 | Nov 20, 2010 | KO (punches) | 1 | 0:21 |
| Loss | Frankie Edgar | UFC 118 | Aug 28, 2010 | Decision (unanimous) | 5 | 5:00 |
FAQs
1. Who is B.J. Penn?
B.J. Penn, nicknamed “The Prodigy,” is a former professional mixed martial artist and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner from Hawaii. He is best known for being the first American to win gold in the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship and for holding UFC titles in two weight classes: Lightweight and Welterweight.
2. What are B.J. Penn’s major achievements in MMA?
Penn is one of only two fighters in UFC history to win championships in two weight divisions (Lightweight and Welterweight). He also holds records for stoppage victories across all five rounds and has won several awards, including “Fight of the Night” and “Submission of the Night.”
3. Why is B.J. Penn called “The Prodigy”?
Penn earned the nickname “The Prodigy” due to his extraordinary achievement of earning a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in just over three years—a feat that typically takes over a decade—and winning the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship shortly after.
4. What is B.J. Penn’s UFC fight record?
Penn competed in 32 professional MMA fights, achieving 16 wins, 14 losses, and 2 draws. He secured victories through knockouts, submissions, and decisions, showcasing his versatility as a fighter.
5. What controversies has B.J. Penn been involved in?
Penn has faced legal issues including assault charges, DUI arrests, and allegations of domestic abuse by his former partner. These incidents have overshadowed parts of his career post-retirement.
6. When did B.J. Penn retire from MMA?
Penn retired from professional MMA at age 35 following a loss to Frankie Edgar at “The Ultimate Fighter” finale in 2014. He cited his inability to compete at the highest level as the main reason for his retirement.
7. What contributions has B.J. Penn made outside the octagon?
Penn co-authored Mixed Martial Arts: The Book of Knowledge and wrote an autobiography titled Why I Fight. He also promoted anti-doping initiatives and helped popularize Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu among Americans.
8. What was B.J. Penn’s training regimen like?
Penn focused on organic foods, avoided processed items, and emphasized cardio workouts such as sprints and hill running for conditioning. He trained multiple hours daily, balancing intense sessions with rest periods to avoid burnout.
9. What is B.J. Penn’s legacy in MMA?
Penn is regarded as one of the greatest lightweight fighters in UFC history and a pioneer who helped popularize lighter weight classes in MMA during a time when they were undervalued.
10. What personal challenges has B.J. Penn faced?
Penn has experienced difficulties including legal troubles, strained relationships, and allegations of abuse from his former partner. Despite these challenges, he remains committed to his Hawaiian roots and family values.
