Many of you who are into mixed martial arts and the UFC will definitely know about BJ Penn.  What some of you might not know was that Hilo’s BJ Penn was involved in an altercation outsite a Zanzabar nightclub in Waikiki on May 5, 2005, where he hit a Honolulu police officer during a fight that was going on outside.  The police officer was trying to break up a fight, and Penn thought that his brother was getting assaulted.  Penn hit the officer in the face and ran off, where he was then tackled by the officer who was tackled by other men who were helping Penn.  Later, District 6 patrol officers pulled the men off the officer and arrested Penn on suspicion of assaulting a police officer.

Penn has agreed to pay the $2000 in restitution and sentanced to one year probation.  In addition, Penn must abstain from alcohol, submit to substance-abuse treatment, and also perform 50 hours of community service with random drug and alcohol tests (Source: Honolulu Advertiser).  If he does not get into any other trouble during this year, his 3rd degree offense to the police officer will be wiped clean from his record.

What most of us MMA fans are really wondering about is if he will be able to fight in the UFC this January 19th at the Metro Radio Arena in England, where is he scheduled to face Joe Stevenson for the UFC Lightweight Championship of the World.  With the recent Lightweight Champion, Sean Sherk, stripped of his title due to steriod use, this match between Penn and Stevenson will be for the title.  The judge has allowed Penn to fly to England to fight for the title despite the ruling.

This is good news, and I’m sure BJ will bring the belt back to Hawaii!  Good luck BJ!!!  I’m glad everything is finally resolved and you can pursue your dreams!

• BJ Penn to Fight for UFC Lightweight Title This Saturday!
• Counting Down- UFC 84 Ill Will
• BJ Penn does it again.

               
RSS 2.0 You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.