UFC legend and former champion BJ Penn seems to be in legal trouble once again. The Hawaiian native has been arrested numerous times and was ordered to go through a mental evaluation in October, with the Circuit Court judge, Peter Kubota, pausing the criminal cases against him. The legal proceedings will resume in January next year, but reports claim that Penn has been arrested again for the sixth time in 2025.

According to a report by the Hawaii Tribune-Herald, BJ Penn had allegedly attacked a 45-year-old man. This happened at a residence on Kanoa Street in Hilo, and the victim, whose identity remains unknown, had to be hospitalized. He claims to have been punched and kicked multiple times. Somehow, the victim managed to escape the area and contact the local law enforcement to arrest him.

The police got the former two-division UFC champion on Tuesday at 11.50 a.m. in Lehua Street, Hilo. BJ Penn was arrested, and there was no scene during the process. The UFC legend was charged with third-degree assault, but was later released after the $1,000 bail payment was made. Penn will have to make his initial court appearance to address these charges on December 2 at the Hilo District Court. Many MMA figures have expressed concern for the legend, but trouble seems to follow him.

BJ Penn had recently violated a restraining order placed against him by his family members, especially his mother, who he thinks is an imposter. While filing the restraining order, the UFC legend’s mother revealed some information about Penn’s alleged mental illness to the police. Here’s what she had to say.

BJ Penn’s mother opens up about the UFC legend’s Capgras syndrome condition

BJ Penn had posted numerous videos on social media not too long ago, believing that his mother, Lorraine Shin, had been replaced by someone else. That delusional condition is actually known as Capgras syndrome, and Penn’s mother claimed that he had been dealing with this for a while. Shin had no feelings of malice towards her son, but for the safety of herself and the people she surrounds herself with, she wanted the former UFC champion to keep his distance from them.

“I believe my son [B.J. Penn] is suffering from Capgras delusional syndrome. He believes I’m an imposter who has killed his family to gain control of the family assets,” BJ Penn’s mother told the police. “In the best interest for my safety, I ask the court for a six-month [temporary restraining order] and have my son ordered to get medical treatment or other source of therapy.”

When it comes to his recent arrest, there is no information on who bailed BJ Penn out of jail and paid the $1,000 fee. After getting arrested for the sixth time, the former champion will also have to deal with legal costs across the many cases lodged against him. Now, we’ll have to wait for further reports on this front. Let us know your thoughts in the comments down below.