Former UFC champion BJ Penn has made concerning allegations against his 16-year-old daughter, claiming she was offered $20,000 to orchestrate his arrest after he began questioning whether she was biologically his child.
The 46-year-old mixed martial artist shared custody hearing footage on social media with accompanying text detailing the claims. According to Penn’s account, the incident occurred after he took his teenage daughter and her friends on a trip to Waikoloa. Three days later, Penn alleges his daughter attempted to manipulate him into a confrontation with her boyfriend that would result in his arrest.
“The 16 year old tries to set BJ Penn up to beat up her boyfriend and get Penn arrested because, the 16 year old says, ‘I make 20K if I get you in jail today,'”
Penn wrote in his social media post.
The former welterweight and lightweight champion claims this incident was the breaking point in their relationship, leading him to demand DNA testing to confirm paternity.
“BJ Penn finally says ‘I never treated or talked my father like this – we have to take a DNA test,'”
his post continued.
Penn alleges that his request for DNA testing prompted his children to obtain a 3-5 year temporary restraining order against him to avoid the genetic testing. He claims this legal maneuver is being supported by Child Protective Services and the children’s mother.
In a clip from what appears to be a conversation with CPS case manager AJ Tolentino, Penn can be heard questioning the system’s motives for keeping him separated from his children.
“Is it in anyone’s best interest that the kids don’t come and get a DNA test for me?”
Penn asks in the recording.
Penn’s social media post suggests this alleged setup attempt was part of a larger pattern of harassment, referencing “100’s of CPS reports, 20 TRO’s, 4 m*lestation lies that Penn passed off as growing pains” that preceded the Waikoloa incident.
The MMA legend’s recent legal troubles have been well-documented. A Hilo family court judge recently extended a protective order against Penn brought by his 79-year-old mother, Lorraine P. Shin, until November 23. Penn must vacate the home he shares with his mother and is wanted on at least two contempt warrants for failing to appear in court after being charged with assaulting Shin.
Court records indicate a man was awarded $376,480 in damages in May after Penn failed to respond to civil complaints, and he was arrested twice in late May on charges of misdemeanor abuse of a household member.
According to state court documents, Penn suffers from traumatic brain injuries, d*ug abuse issues, and Capgras delusional syndrome—a condition where individuals believe family members have been replaced by identical impostors. Penn reportedly believes his mother is not actually his mother and is working with a “sabotage squad” trying to take his money.
Penn is currently barred by protective orders from coming near his two daughters and their mother until 2030. The orders prohibit him from threatening, physically abusing, or psychologically abusing the protected parties, and he cannot come within 100 yards of their residences, workplaces, or schools.
The former UFC champion, who compiled a 16-14-2 record during his MMA career and received 19,667 votes in the 2022 Republican primary for governor of Hawaii, continues to face multiple legal challenges while making increasingly concerning statements on social media about his family situation.
