Jay Dee “B.J.” Penn (born December 13, 1978) is a retired American professional mixed martial artist and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner. Penn debuted and competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), and later in K-1. Prior to fighting for the UFC, he became the first American Gold medalist of the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship. In mixed martial arts, Penn has competed in the Featherweight, Lightweight, Welterweight, Middleweight, and Heavyweight divisions. As a former UFC Lightweight Champion and UFC Welterweight Champion, he is only the second fighter in UFC history to win titles in multiple weight classes. Penn was also a finalist in the UFC 41 Lightweight Tournament, due to an eventual draw opposite Caol Uno in the tournament finale. Through his tenures as champion, Penn unified the UFC Lightweight Championship (against Sean Sherk) to become the division’s first Undisputed Champion; as well as broke the UFC all-time lightweight title defense record. Penn is to be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame following his retirement from the sport.
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