“That right there, Ladies and gentlemen is the greatest lightweight in the history of the sport!” UFC color commentator Joe Rogan said about BJ Penn following UFC 107. That night, ‘The Prodigy’ successfully defended his lightweight title for the third consecutive time, delivering a vicious knockout against Diego Sanchez in the final round of their grueling five-round battle. The emphatic victory cemented Penn’s reputation as perhaps the best fighter on the planet. However, his legacy extended far beyond his dominance at lightweight. Throughout his 19-year MMA career, he tested himself across multiple weight classes, from 145 lbs to light heavyweight/open-weight bouts.
His willingness to fight anyone, anywhere, solidified his legendary status in the sport. But this constant movement between divisions came at a cost—BJ Penn often struggled with consistency, neglected his diet, and rarely had optimal training camps. His most disciplined phase came while training under the Marinovich brothers (Gary and Marv) but once that partnership ended, ‘The Prodigy’ was never quite the same. His decline was as dramatic as his rise, culminating in a record-breaking eight-fight losing streak that overshadowed his once-untouchable legacy.
However, as his career spiraled downward, Penn also struggled with alcohol addiction, which brought chaos to both his personal and professional life. The turmoil reached its peak in 2019 when a video of the Hawaiian juggernaut involved in a bar brawl went viral. The incident ultimately led to UFC CEO Dana White cutting him from the promotion, marking the end of Penn’s legendary career. Still, one question has lingered among MMA fans for years: What if Penn had taken his career more seriously? Could he have reached even greater heights with unwavering discipline? Would he have surpassed reigning UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones?
Ex-UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson recently echoed these thoughts. While discussing his son Raja Jackson’s recent fight on the Burn After Rolling podcast, Rampage drew a comparison between Raja’s and Penn’s: “But that n—a is like BJ Penn. BJ Penn was one of the most talented MMA fighters to ever step on this f—–g planet. But he didn’t put in the work in the gym like he should have, bro.”
However, Rampage was quick to acknowledge Penn’s natural ability: “Bro, BJ is really one of the best fighters that I’ve ever seen. He could have been greater than Jon Jones or any of them. But you know, the rumor is that he didn’t train as hard as you would think he should’ve at the level he was at.”
Madison Square Garden NEW YORK CITY, NY -NOVEMBER 16:Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic meet in the octagon for a 3-round bout for UFC309 – Jones vs Miocic at Madison Square Garden on November 16, 2024 in New York City, NY Photo by Louis Grasse/PxImages Louis Grasse / SPP PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxBRAxMEX Copyright: xLouisxGrassex/xSPPx spp-en-LoGr-lrg2411164283824_UFCVegas309
Whatever the reason, Penn was unable to keep his career on track. Now, he seems to be going through an even more troubling phase in his life. Just a few days back, ‘The Prodigy’ made a shocking conspiracy claim on Instagram, alleging that the government murdered his mother and brother and replaced them with clones.
He further claimed that these so-called “clones” had been trying to steal everything from him. The Hawaiian’s bizarre statements left the MMA world in shock, raising concerns about the long-term effects of years of physical toll on a fighter’s body and brain. In response, several combat sports veterans have shared their opinions on what might have happened to Penn. Let’s take a closer look.
What do UFC fighters have to say about BJ Penn’s mental health issues?
Former UFC heavyweight contender Brendan Schaub attributes BJ Penn’s current struggles to the years of trauma his head and brain endured throughout his fighting career. Highlighting the inherent violence in MMA, Schaub also pointed to The Prodigy’s past legal issues, which he believes continue to overshadow the former lightweight GOAT.
Discussing the matter on his YouTube channel, Schaub expressed his concerns, stating, “You know. And when you start threatening physical violence and these crazy conspiracy theories that your mom’s not real. Like clearly there’s an issue there, you know. And obviously, he has his legal troubles. He is not doing great.”
Schaub also cautioned the new generation of fighters, warning that they, too, could face similar struggles down the road. He emphasized how social media has intensified these issues, calling it a time when “the fourth wall is broken down.” On the other hand, UFC fighter Jared Gordon offered a different perspective, attributing BJ Penn’s decline solely to alcohol and substance abuse. Gordon stated, “What I have heard in the past and from rumors and things that I have heard… he [BJ Penn] had me———mine ab-se disorder.”
What’s your take on Quinton Jackson’s claim about BJ Penn? If The Prodigy’ had maintained strict discipline, prioritized his health, and committed to rigorous training, do you think he could have surpassed Jon Jones’ legacy? Share your thoughts below!
The post “He Could’ve Been Greater Than Jon Jones” – Ex-UFC Champ Makes a Confession on BJ Penn Amid Concerns Over His Mental Health appeared first on EssentiallySports.