UFC Responds to BJ Penn Sexual Assault Allegations

As stated, Penn is currently being investigated by the UFC. That’s worth something, but not especially much. The UFC has launched “independent” “investigations” into a number of fighters over the years, most notably Anthony “Rumble” Johnson and Travis Browne (who both had domestic violence allegations leveled against them) and those famously ended with no punishment.

Rumor was that Penn's return opponent would be Dennis Siver. — Rumor was that Penn’s return opponent would be Dennis Siver.

In the short-term, this definitely hurts Penn’s legacy. It’s always important to remember that while longtime MMA fans know and love Penn for his fearlessness and finishing skills, the majority of current MMA fans didn’t witness Penn’s prime years. Sexual assault allegations are a very, very bad way to make a first impression.

Long-term, however, Penn’s probably going to shake out just fine if this whole thing blows over. History shows that the public is very forgiving (too forgiving, really) when it comes to sexual assault allegations and the fact that Mike Tyson’s rape conviction is rarely mentioned or discussed is fairly telling.

Either way, the UFC would definitely like to have a big-name fighter like Penn in the cage, so they’ll probably make the moves to set it up, regardless.

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