Judge Peter Kubota, of Hawaii Third Circuit court, has ordered former UFC lightweight and welterweight champion B.J. Penn to undergo a mental health assessment.
The ruling, handed down on Wednesday, was imposed to determine the UFC Hall of Famer’s fitness and level of penal responsibility in his ongoing criminal court cases.
“With the fitness to proceed examinations, the examiner is trying to determine whether or not the person, the individual, understands what they’re being accused of or what they’re being charged with, and then also whether or not they can assist in their own defense,” said legal analyst Gina Gormley.
Penn, 46, has been arrested five times since May 2025, with charges including violating protective orders, refusing to comply with a police officer, and abuse of a family member.
The retired mixed martial artist is due back in court on Jan. 9 to discuss the psychologist’s findings.
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