BJ Penn in Hot Water for Sexual Assault Allegations
The much awaited return of BJ Penn will have to wait as a probe is underway for sexual assault allegations tied up with the legendary UFC fighter.
Penn retired in 2014 following a three-fight losing streak and was widely believed to be returning to MMA action soon. His last fight was a TKO loss at the hands of Frankie Edgar.
But that was before controversy struck. Penn has been accused by a former writer named Pedro Alex Carrasco of sexually assaulting her girlfriend.
Carrasco was a former write for Penn’s website and claims that the 37-year-old legend went to his home when he wasn’t around. Penn allegedly pulled the clothes off her girlfriend which were meant to get even after Carrasco looked at ‘behind’ of Penn’s girlfriend.
The UFC got word of the issue and is currently conducting an investigation on the allegations against Penn.
"Every athlete is deserving of proper review and this situation, as with any serious allegation, will be investigated by an independent party and thoroughly reviewed by the UFC," part of the official statement of the UFC read.
After remaining mum on the matter, Penn would eventually issue a statement of his own on the allegations.
"The allegations that Pedro and his girlfriend are making against BJ Penn simply aren't true. Penn trusted Pedro to run his website for almost a decade and considered him family. He was fired last year for unethical behavior and was provided a severence (sic) that ended on February 16, 2016."
One thing going for the UFC legend is that there are some inconsistencies with Carrasco’s claims. For almost 15 years, Penn has never been tied up with any issues involving women so the sudden controversy have come in at a curious time.
It was only last month when Penn decided to come out of his short retirement and was eyeing a return fight at either UFC 196 or UFC 197.
UFC president Dana White confirmed that Penn was indeed planning a return to the Octagon though there was nothing yet planned. And the current row may have just stopped all his plans dead on its tracks until the real score is fished out.
Penn has been training in Albuquerque since earlier this month as he was under the impression he would be ready for UFC 196 which takes place next month.
Seeing however how long Penn has been out of action, the Hawaiian fighter was advised that it would be better if he made his return fight at UFC 197 which takes place on April 23.
Though no names had been announced, Dennis Silver was mentioned as the one leading the list of candidates.
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