BJ Penn: MMA Bio
January 24, 2009 by MMA Spark
Filed under MMA Fighters
Jay Dee Penn, also known as BJ Penn throughout the MMA world is among the world’s best and most notable MMA fighters. He has created for himself a name and followed a great career throughout most of his life as a fighter, opponent, mentor and later on in his life as an actor. Just as with many of his MMA comrades, there are highlights of his career and life, as well as a few rough patches – as is to be expected with anyone. BJ Penn, was born and brought into this world on Dec. 13, 1978 in the beautiful and quaint land of Kailua, Hawaii where he began building up his training, skills as a fighter, and starting upon his journey to what would one day become a big and life changing career and way of life for Penn. It all began when at the young age of only seventeen, BJ Penn started working and training in the popular and revered art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu as a young man. A few years later Penn started training with Ralph Gracie. Soon after he earned his black belt as a result of much hard work, he was the first person who was not Brazilian to win and earn the black belt division of the World Jiu Jitsu Championship . As a result of his dedication and work, he started his career as a MMA fighter within no more than a year after winning the black belt division and joined the UFC. After becoming part of the UFC, he went on the attain some notable career stones: beating and knocking out other lightweights such as Din Thomas and Caol Uno. The UFC suspended it’s lightweight division in 2003 after Penn and Uno fought each other in a draw. Soon after in the next year, Penn won in a triumphant win over Takanori Gomi, which proved to be a great accomplishment for him. Yet probably the one that really marked his career, was at UFC 46 when BJ pen took down the five time defending champ Matt Hughes about four minutes into the first round of the fight. He became the champ, but shortly after got into a legal battle with UFC as a result of Penn signing to fight with K-1. In 2006 Bj Penn and the UFC finally came to an agreement and Penn returned the UFC as a fighter. So far he has proven to be a worthy and feared opponent to go against. As for his life on a more personal note, he has three brothers. Penn’s girlfriend gave birth to a daughter, Aeva Lili’u in late 2008 Along with a few other MMA artists, he wrote a book on MMA fighting and instruction, something that many mixed martial artists and fans can enjoy and learn a ton of valuable information for people who want to learn more. One of the rougher times and legalities that Penn has had to deal with in the past was when he was taken under arrest in Waikiki for allegedly hitting a policeman. Penn got probation for a year in Dec. 07′. Nowadays, BJ penn is currently is still fighting professionally and going to star in a movie that is set to come out in 2009.
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