Former UFC Hall-of-Famer B.J. Penn has sparked controversy with his recent statement questioning the existence of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy. He claims that both Covid and CTE are both made up diseases.
In addition to his controversial stance on CTE, Penn went on to claim that the legendary boxer Muhammad Ali did not suffer from CTE throughout his career. This assertion has raised eyebrows among critics and fans alike, prompting further scrutiny.
Muhammad Ali passed away on June 3, 2016. The cause of his death was septic shock, which was a result of respiratory issues related to Parkinson’s disease.
As per Mayo clinic:
” It’s possible that people with CTE may show signs of another neurodegenerative disease, including Alzheimer’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson’s disease or frontotemporal lobar degeneration, also known as frontotemporal dementia.”
CTE is a progressive and degenerative brain condition that occurs as a result of repeated blows to the head over an extended period. It is commonly associated with contact sports such as mixed martial arts and American football.
One Reddit user cleverly remarked, “Not believing in CTE is a sign of having CTE. True story.”
Another user sarcastically commented, “Ah yes, Muhammad Ali, notorious for not showing a single sign of CTE before he died.”
Reflecting on Penn’s post-retirement career, expressed his disappointment and stated: “BJ Penn has taken SO many Ls over the past decade. From a bona-fide legend to a punch line. It actually genuinely hurts me to see.”
During his peak, B.J. Penn’s formidable presence in the UFC solidified his legendary status as he achieved the remarkable feat of becoming a two-division champion. Penn left an indelible mark on the sport.
Although B.J. Penn is widely regarded as one of the greatest lightweights in the history of the sport, he won his first UFC title in the welterweight division.