BJ Penn could avoid jail time for latest assault charges
According to a report from MMA Junkie, retired former two-division UFC champion BJ Penn has an opportunity to avoid jail time for assault charges for an alleged January incident. An unnamed friend of Penn alleges that "The Prodigy" assaulted him the night of Jan. 19 when they were out drinking together after he pushed the fighter to stop him from picking fights with other bar patrons at Kauhale's Bar in Kihei, Hawaii.
Reports said that Penn's alleged victim was treated at a hospital for a fractured left eye socket. Penn suffered a small cut to his right eye and was later arrested by police at a hotel.
According to MMA Junkie's report, deputy prosecuter John Tam of the Maui Prosecuting Attorney's Office said that the alleged victim would be satisfied if Penn pays his medical bills stemming from the incident.
Per the report, the prosecutor's office is now waiting on Penn to hear if he will accept those terms to avoid prosecution. "(Penn's) attorney was supposed to check on the extent of the billings, and we would also be checking with the victim thereafter," Tam told Junkie.
"(Penn's lawyer) has indicated that, from what I can tell, they want to take care of everything as far as the medical bills."
In 2007, Penn pleaded no contest to charges that he assaulted a police officer. A judge sentenced Penn to one year of probation.
Penn last fought and lost to Frankie Edgar in July via TKO. The bout was the third fight of their trilogy.
Following his one-sided loss to Edgar, the future Hall of Famer Penn retired from MMA competition.
