Date of Birth:
B.J. Penn was born on December 12, 1978, in Hilo, Hawaii. His real name is Jay Dee.
Nicknames:
The Prodigy and Baby Jay (B.J.)
Martial Arts Background:
Penn has a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu background in that he started honing his submission game when he was 17 years old under Ralph Gracie. Three years later, Andrea Pederneiras gave him his black belt. The speed with which he achieved that black belt plus the gold medal he managed to take home from the World Jiu Jitsu Championships in Rio de Janeiro earned him his nickname, The Prodigy.Like all MMA fighters, Penn also trains as a stand up fighter. In fact, he is excellent in that capacity as well.
Fighting Style:
B.J. Penn often comes out of the gate strong and has the striking skills and toughness to give anyone a tough time on their feet. However, opponents are still most concerned to hit the ground with him, as his unbelievable submission skills and legendary flexibility make him a threat from any position to end a fight in a moment’s notice.He is one of the greatest submission fighters of all-time.
Personal Life:
Penn is the youngest of four brothers. His father is Jay Dee Penn, and his mother is Lorraine Shin. Penn and his girlfriend, Shealen Uaiwa, have a daughter named, Aeva Lilu.Penn is also one of the authors behind the MMA instructional book, Mixed Martial Arts: The Book of Knowledge.