Former UFC two-division champion, BJ Penn, was ordered by Third Circuit Family Court to undergo a mental health evaluation before answering for multiple charges, including a pair of temporary restraining order (TRO) violations. The licensed psychologist responsible for administering the exam, Barbara Higa Rogers, found “The Prodigy” is mentally fit to stand trial.
She did however, diagnose him with “Cannabis Use Disorder.”
“I got examined by the top person over here, that’s what they really wanted me to do,” said the 47-year-old Penn. “No one can call me crazy now. It is what it is, I said what I said. This is still me — if I’m talking like that, this is still me. How do you know? Because the media and the news still talks bad about me. They only talk good about dead people. I gotta understand, this is just their job. It’s what they do. It’s not personal, it’s business. This is the worst nightmare of my life but it’s not personal, it’s just business.”
Penn was arrested for the sixth time within a six-month period back in November 2025.
“My TRO ends up 12:01 tonight and I came home, the back door was broken in, so I left the property,” Penn added. “I don’t know, I don’t know what’s going on. I don’t know nothing but, just wanna say I’m not suicidal, not anything. Just waiting. I know these guys can do whatever they want. So, you know, hopefully, the conversation can be had amongst themselves. Put yourself in my shoes. Whatever happened, happened. With my family, with the properties, with my money from fighting. Probably 50, 60, you know, how much is involved with, you know, financially, but it’s not what it’s about, it’s about staying alive. And that’s it. Thank you.”
Penn is scheduled to return to court on July 8.
The troubled UFC star stands accused of assaulting his mother, who according to “The Prodigy,” was murdered by the government and replaced by an imposter. Attorneys for Penn are expected to file a motion to dismiss all charges, unrelated to his separate assault case from last December in Hilo.
Here are excerpts from his court evaluation:
Penn (16-14-2) has not competed since losing to Clay Guida at UFC 237 back in early 2019.