In a statement released by the team of B.J. Penn on his official website, the fighter’s camp refer to abuse allegations by Penn’s estranged partner as “misleading” and request privacy for Penn and his family.
Following allegations of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse from his estranged partner, B.J. Penn has released a statement. Or, at least, his camp has. In a brief release on Penn’s official website, his team wrote that the allegations leveled by Shealen Uaiwa are “misleading, hurtful and false.”
“BJ is in a highly-contested child custody case involving his two young daughters. The order of protection has made serious allegations against BJ. The allegations are so, misleading, hurtful and false that any further comment by BJ or about BJ would cause more damage to the well-being of his children and potentially further inflame the pending custody proceedings. BJ and his family ask that you respect their privacy at this very difficult time.”
The allegations came to light as part of a restraining order granted to Uaiwa, who accused Penn of physical violence, drug use, intimidation, and other transgressions. Cageside Press verified details of the restraining order following an initial report by MMA Junkie.
Penn (16–13–2), a UFC Hall of Fame member, is expected to return to action at UFC 237 in May against Clay Guida. Now 40 years old, Penn has not won a fight since 2010, and is currently on a six-fight losing streak in the UFC.
