The Life and Career of B.J. Penn
B.J. Penn is a professional mixed martial artist who has participated in both the Ultimate Fighting Championship and K-1. B.J. Penn’s net worth is $4 million.
Who is B.J. Penn?
B.J. Penn was born in Kailua, Hawaii, in 1978 as Jay Dee Penn III. His mother, Loraine, is of Hawaiian and Korean origin, and his father, Jay, is Irish-American. When Penn was 17, his neighbor Tom Callos introduced him to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and he began practicing the sport.
He relocated to San Jose, California, shortly after to train at the Ralph Gracie Academy. He trained with his friend and roommate, Dave Camarillo, and made the decision to pursue a career in martial arts.
Penn began training with Brazilian martial artist Ralph Gracie in 1997, eventually earning a purple belt. He joined the Nova União academy in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and won silver and bronze medals in the World Jiu-Jitsu Championships.
In 2000, he received his black belt from Andre Pederneiras. Just a few weeks later, he won gold in the black-belt division of the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship, becoming the first non-Brazilian and American to do so.
He is the second of seven fighters in UFC history to have won belts in multiple weight classes, and he is largely regarded as one of the sport’s top competitors. Penn also practices Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and became the first American to win the gold medal at the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship in 2000.
B.J. Penn Age
How old is B.J. Penn? He is currently 45 years old.
B.J. Penn Career
When his spectacular performances at the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship garnered the attention of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Penn chose to switch to MMA fighting. He debuted in the UFC in 2001, defeating Joey Gilbert at UFC 31. Penn went on to knock out lightweights Caol Uno and Din Thomas before losing by decision to lightweight champion Jens Pulver.
Penn came back strong at the Rumble on the Rock Lightweight belt, defeating Takanori Gomi to claim his first MMA belt. He won his first UFC belt at UFC 46: Supernatural, defeating five-time defending Welterweight Champion Matt Hughes in a stunning shock.
Frustrated by what he saw as a lack of meaningful matches in the UFC, Penn signed with the Japanese Fighting and Entertainment Group’s K-1 banner in 2004. He defeated Duane Ludwig by arm triangle choke at K-1 MMA Romanex while competing as a welterweight fighter.
He then advanced to middleweight, defeating Rodrigo Gracie via decision. Lyoto Machida defeated Penn in March 2005. Later that year, he won a unanimous decision over Renzo Gracie.
In 2006, Penn returned to the UFC as a welterweight contender. He then made his comeback at UFC 58, where he was defeated by Georges St-Pierre by a controversial split decision. Penn’s greatest achievement came 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.
Penn defeated former champion Sean Sherk in his first title defense at UFC 84. Later, in early 2009, Penn faced George St-Pierre for the latter’s welterweight belt; he lost in a stoppage. Penn rebounded in August and successfully defended his lightweight title against Kenny Florian at UFC 101. He defended his championship again in December, knocking out the previously undefeated Diego Sanchez at UFC 107.
Penn lost the title to Frankie Edgar at UFC 112. Controversy over the outcome led to a rematch, which Penn also lost. Penn then returned to the welterweight class, knocking out Matt Hughes at UFC 123. However, following a significant loss to Nick Diaz at UFC 137, Penn announced his retirement.
He returned after several months to face Rory MacDonald, who had constantly challenged Penn throughout his absence. Penn lost the fight by unanimous decision. After hiatuses, a coaching stint on “The Ultimate Fighter,” and many fight delays due to injuries, Penn returned to the UFC in 2017 to face Yair Rodríguez at UFC Fight Night 103. He lost via TKO. Penn’s string of losses continued at UFC 232 in 2018 and at UFC 237 in 2019.
B.J. Penn Net Worth
He is estimated to be worth $4 million.
Source: Ngnews247.com