Former UFC champion B.J. Penn arrested again in Hawaii, marking fifth arrest this year
The 46-year-old Hall of Famer faces new charges after violating a protective order filed by his mother, as his family disputes unfold amid ongoing legal proceedings.
Former UFC lightweight and welterweight champion B.J. Penn was arrested in Hawaii on Sept. 16, 2025, for violating a court order for protection, marking his fifth arrest in four months, according to Hawaii Island police.
Police said officers responded to a report of a violation in the Puueo Street area of Hilo at about 4:03 p.m. Monday, Sept. 15, where they determined Penn had entered a property in violation of the protective order, had not left the area, and was located and arrested without incident. On Tuesday, Sept. 16, he was charged with violating the order for protection. His bail was set at $2,000, and he posted it later that day. The latest arrest adds to a string of incidents that began earlier in the year and has drawn ongoing attention given Penn’s status as a former UFC champion.
The person who sought protection against Penn was his mother, Lorraine Shin. Shin had been granted a one-year order of protection against her son in August after she successfully petitioned for a temporary restraining order following an earlier confrontation at home. In the filings, Shin described an incident in which Penn grabbed her arms and shoved her against a sedan, causing her pain and prompting the initial protective action. The current case stems from subsequent alleged violations of that order, which prohibited contact and proximity between Penn and Shin.
Shin has publicly described Penn’s behavior as troubling and has urged court action to protect herself and other family members. In her court filings, she has attributed Penn’s conduct to Capgras syndrome, a rare neuropsychiatric condition in which a person believes acquaintances have been replaced by impostors. Mental health experts have not publicly verified these claims, and authorities have not offered a confirmation of a diagnosed condition in connection with the case.
Penn, 46, has not fought in the UFC since 2019, and the series of arrests has revived discussion about the former champion’s post-fighting life. In addition to the September arrest, he has faced multiple other encounters with law enforcement this year: two incidents in late May, one in late May followed by another at the end of May, and an arrest in June, all connected to the broader dispute with his family and violations of protective orders. The pattern has kept Penn in the public eye for reasons far removed from his past success inside the Octagon.
The Hawaii Police Department’s statement summarized the latest event, noting that Penn entered a protected property in violation of the court order, was arrested, and later charged with the protective-order violation. The department and prosecutors have not released additional details about potential additional charges stemming from the incident, and the case remains scheduled for court proceedings later this year and into 2026 as authorities move forward with proceedings tied to the protective order.
The broader backstory underlying the protective order dates to the August filing by Shin, after an incident at home that led to the initial request for restraint. Shin’s account describes a confrontation that escalated to physical contact and prompted the protective order. Since then, Penn’s legal status has included a sequence of appearances and bail bonds, though detailed court records from Hawaii have not been fully disclosed to the public.
Observers familiar with Penn’s career acknowledge the contrast between his former status as a UFC icon and the ongoing personal and legal challenges he has faced in recent years. The former champion has remained out of competition since 2019, with little public activity related to competitive fighting but ongoing coverage of his personal life in national outlets. The current set of proceedings, including the Sept. 16 arrest and the earlier protective-order case, mark a continuing chapter in a post-octagon life that has drawn scrutiny from fans, reporters, and the mixed martial arts community alike.
Trials are scheduled for Penn for late October and early May, according to court listings associated with Shin’s protective-order filing and related proceedings. Those dates will determine whether the legal dispute over the protective order will proceed in a traditional courtroom setting or through alternative dispute mechanisms. Penn’s representatives have not publicly commented on the case, and court records indicate the matter remains under active investigation and prosecution by Hawaii authorities.
In the wake of the latest arrest, Penn’s standing within the UFC ecosystem remains unresolved publicly. He has not been active as a competitive fighter for several years, and the sport continues to follow his case with a mix of historical admiration for his championship tenure and concern for the ongoing personal issues he faces outside the ring. The case highlights how public figures can find themselves navigating complex family disputes that intersect with legal processes, long after their competitive careers have ended.
