BJ Penn‘s Instagram photo of him and Jon Jones smiling side by side in a Hawaii gym was both powerful and painful. The UFC heavyweight champion had visited Penn to give him a surprise after the growing concerns over ‘Baby Jay’s’ mental health. “Yesterday I asked @jonnybones ‘How are you?’ “@jonnybones replied ‘Ma’a Ma’a,'” Penn wrote on social media, referring to Jones’ response in his native language, ‘GOAT.’ “Jonny Bones speaks his native language GOAT!!!”The caption ended with love and gratitude. But for those who have been following Penn’s recent posts, the smile held more weight.

BJ Penn, once the pride of Hawaiian MMA and a two-division UFC champion, has been posting concerning posts on social media, indicating a rising mental health crisis. In recent weeks, he has openly stated that members of his immediate family, including his mother and brothers, were assassinated and replaced by imposters. Trust us when we tell you this, these aren’t metaphorical accusations.

Penn has shared clips and images in which he examines minute anatomical variations in his loved ones, such as dental structure and facial traits, and uses these as “proof” of the alleged swaps. It’s scary, weird, and extremely sad to see a once-unshakeable figure unravel in front of a digital crowd.

Unfortunately, the paranoia has grown to the point where Penn is asking law enforcement and even his black belt colleagues, who are police officers, to intervene. Not just that, ‘The Prodigy’ has also asked for DNA tests. At this point. it seems like the MMA legend is questioning his reality. “If I harm any of these people that are acting like my mom or my brothers, I go to jail and lose everything,” he wrote. “If they harm me, nothing will happen to them.” The distinctions between reality and illusion are so skewed that it’s difficult not to feel the emotional weight of his comments.

And perhaps that is exactly what Jon Jones was doing. This visit was not for fight planning or promotion. It was about being present. About a fellow combatant showing up for a brother in need. In fact, ‘Bones’ did not provide a prior statement, but just showed up. And sometimes, the most powerful thing you can do is just be there with a smile and a hand on their shoulder, reminding them that they are not alone. It is worth noting that this isn’t the first instance of the MMA legend losing his cool.

BJ Penn and his history of personal demons

Jon Jones’ Visit to BJ Penn was more than simply a meet-up between the two UFC legends; it was a moment of quiet support, a simple gesture that said, “I’m here for you.” Given Penn’s history, it served as a reminder of the depth of his personal troubles. ‘Baby Jay’ has always been a rather controversial figure, and his personal life has frequently paralleled the chaos of his work.

Penn’s issues have been out in the open for a few years now, and they’ve often taken an unpleasant turn. Like when his ex-partner, Shealen Uaiwa, secured a restraining order against him in 2020, citing a slew of troubling abuse claims dating back ten years.

The claims were more than simply words; they described someone who had lost control. Uaiwa reported verbal harassment, threats against her family, and even s—– a——. These claims have continued to plague Penn, and the court system has only provided a temporary solution.

Though the restraining order has been extended, allowing Penn to have supervised visitation with their children, it is evident that the damage has gone beyond physical. It’s emotional, and psychological, and has been playing out in public for everyone to witness.

The video footage of him being detained on DUI charges adds to the picture of a guy struggling to stay grounded. In many respects, Penn’s life after the UFC has been a series of crashes, both literal and figurative, and it’s heartbreaking to see someone who once stood as a symbol of accomplishment now trying to hold himself together.

What do you think? Should Dana White and the UFC also step up to provide some support to the legend who once ruled the Octagon? Let us know in the comments.