Watch: UFC legend BJ Penn has been arrested amid allegations of impersonation and abuse of his family

Former UFC champion BJ Penn was arrested on May 25, 2025 on offensive physical contact related to a household abuse case. The arrest follows months of increasingly unstable public action and statements from Penn, who repeatedly claimed that his mother and brother were murdered and replaced by fraudsters as part of a conspiracy to steal the property of his family.

BJ Penn has been arrested

In recent social media posts and videos, Penn has accused various families and acquaintances of impersonation and theft.

“In Hawaii, “con theft” refers to cases in which an individual is mistakenly humiliated by someone else, often stealing their identity or committing fraud. This involves committing crimes using fake identities, as documents, financial accounts, or even as law enforcement or other professionals. ”

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Police records confirm that Penn was taken into custody after a conflict at his residence and later released on $2,000 bail. He is scheduled to appear in court on May 27th. The identity of the suspect and specific details of the case have not been revealed at this time. Authorities have not commented on whether a mental health assessment is necessary, but observers and fans have expressed concern about Penn’s psychological condition, noting that his recent behavior is consistent with symptoms seen in the case of brain trauma in former athletes.

BJ Penn’s recent claim that his family was replaced by a con man closely reflects the classic presentation of Capgras syndrome. Although only a qualified medical professional can diagnose this condition, his actions and statements are consistent with the characteristic delusions of the syndrome.

The 46-year-old BJ Penn is the former UFC lightweight welterweight champion who was last competing in 2019. In recent years he has been involved in several public arguments and has a history of allegations relating to domestic abuse and substance use, but previous charges have not been criminal charges. The MMA community continues to monitor the situation as more information is expected following Penn’s court appearance.