BJ Penn

B.J. Penn has claimed that he did not instigate a recent street fight that was captured on video, and that he was only defending himself. But, following the latest incident involving the legendary fighter, UFC President Dana White says Penn will not return to the Octagon.

Penn’s latest incident

Recently Penn’s name blazed across MMA headlines, following the release of two videos, which showed the former champ in a street fight. In one video, Penn was shown getting dropped and possibly getting knocked out.

Since then, Penn himself has claimed that he tried to diffuse the situation and avoid the fight before it started. The unidentified man in the videos, however, reportedly claims otherwise.

White’s recent comments

Since the videos were released, we hadn’t heard much from the UFC regarding the incident. Penn was expected to fight Nik Lentz later this year. But, in a recent interview with ESPN, White had this to say about Penn’s future (comments via MMA Fighting):

“He won’t fight again,” White said. “That’s it. It’s a wrap.”

“It’s not even that this was the last straw,” White said. “I didn’t love him continuing to fight anyway, but we having the relationship that he and I have and he’s getting me on the phone, begging me for another fight, begging me for another opportunity, it’s hard for me to turn him down, but after what I saw on that video, B.J. needs to focus on his personal life and get himself together before he thinks about fighting again.

“Listen, I don’t wanna sit here on TV and pick B.J. apart on his life or whatever. I think that we all know what B.J. Penn needs to do and hopefully B.J. Penn knows what B.J. Penn needs to do. Not gonna sit here like I’m his father or I’m some guy who’s above him and pointing the finger at B.J. and B.J. needs to do this and that. What I saw in that video was sad. I love the kid and I hope he gets his life together.”

A lot of people are going to be relieved to hear this. Even before this latest incident involving Penn, there was extensive concern over the fact the UFC was going to give the 40 year-old legend another fight. Penn has lost seven straight bouts.

Further, Penn was also allegedly involved in another incident with a strip club bouncer earlier this year. The Hawaiian star is also under investigation for allegedly threatening a farmer with a machete, and his former girlfriend has accused him of domestic abuse (Penn has denied the allegation). Thus, the widespread concern regarding Penn’s personal life.

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