In 2021, 46-year-old and former two-division champ BJ Penn vented his frustrations on Instagram, claiming, “I won the UFC belt against the greatest UFC welterweight champion [Matt Hughes] with 5 defenses… the lightweight champs today don’t have the b-lls to even try…it is just a fact that nobody ever did it better! Not one time, not some time, greatest of all f—ing time.” ‘The Prodigy‘ proclaimed himself the GOAT and aimed at the new generation of lightweights, dismissing their accomplishments.

Penn’s career in the Octagon is unforgettable! He was the second fighter in UFC history to win titles in multiple weight classes after Randy Couture, becoming the first to defend his lightweight title three times—a record that solidified his place as a 155-pound legend. Dana White once remarked, “He built that weight class (lightweight) and was responsible for helping build the UFC.” However, with the changing times, ‘The Prodigy‘s career took a downturn due to a series of poor decisions. Ultimately, the promotion released him from the sport he once dominated.

Earlier this year, BJ Penn became embroiled in controversy when he made a bizarre conspiracy claim about his mother, Lorraine Shin. The Hawaiian claimed that the government murdered his mother and replaced her with a clone, sparking comparisons to an “X-Files” level conspiracy. Although the claim lacked any credibility, it sent shockwaves through the MMA community, and several veterans offered their support to ‘The Prodigy’.

More recently, Penn sat down for a YouTube interview with Justin Pulliam, where he discussed life after fighting. During the conversation, the host probed Penn’s feelings about the younger generation of fighters, particularly those in the lightweight division. He asked, “Do you ever feel like, ‘Hey, I was better than this guy,’ or ‘I should have been talked about’? Is that an ego thing for you, or does it not matter?”

‘The Prodigy’ responded thoughtfully, referencing reigning 155lbs champ champion Islam Makhachev. He said, “You know, I look at Islam, and I think, you want to be the best and just keep going. That’s what it’s about—just keep going and stay in it. But it feels… it’s tough. Yeah, I mean, it’s tough in the sense that I can’t even believe I got here. I can’t believe I got this far, and even just to be on this interview today.”

The Dagesntani juggernaut’s rise has now surpassed the legacy BJ Penn established when he defeated Diego Sanchez at UFC 107. As mentioned before, the Hawaiian was the first to defend his lightweight title thrice, a remarkable achievement that has now been outdone by Islam Makhachev. Earlier this year, at UFC 311, Makhachev once again showcased his dominance, this time against Renato Moicano. He took the Brazilian down and submitted him, further cementing his place as one of the ‘greatest UFC lightweights.’

Moreover, Makhachev now holds the record for the most title defenses—four in total at 155lbs while also becoming the fighter with the most title fight wins in the division’s history with five. This accomplishment is all the more impressive considering BJ Penn, who once criticized the lightweight division, now speaks highly of Makhachev and his accomplishments. However, ‘The Prodigy‘s mental health continues to raise concerns within the MMA community. Let’s explore the opinions surrounding this matter.

Ex-UFC heavyweight gave an honest confession on BJ Penn’s mental health

“Throughout my entire twenties, I constantly went home with headaches from concussions,” Jon Jones reflected on the toll his fighting career took on him. “Now, when that happens, I get really upset and feel like I did something wrong, so I make a point to protect my brain as much as possible.” These headaches were a direct consequence of the brutal nature of combat sports, which carry an increasing risk of neurological damage. Even Ronda Rousey, the former UFC women’s 135lbs champion, has been open about her struggles with concussions.

For fighters like BJ Penn, who competed across multiple weight divisions and remained active well beyond his heyday, the physical and mental toll is immense. Recently, ‘The Prodigy‘s mental health has raised significant concern, especially after his shocking claim that his mother isn’t actually his mother but a clone. This troubling statement highlighted the darker side of combat sports and the long-term effects on athletes who endure such physically demanding careers.

Former UFC heavyweight contender Brendan Schaub recently shared his thoughts on Penn’s ongoing mental health struggles. On his YouTube channel, Schaub said, “I think the majority of people’s concern is head trauma. When you start talking about physical violence and bizarre conspiracy theories like your mom’s not real, clearly there’s something going on. And with his legal troubles, he’s not doing well at all.”

What are your thoughts on BJ Penn’s mental health? Given his current mental struggles, do you believe his views on Islam Makhachev are still relevant? Feel free to share your opinion below.