A former employee of BJ Penn has made some very serious allegations against the former UFC champion.
MMA scribe Pedro Alex Carrasco accused iconic UFC fighter BJ Penn of sexual assaulting his girlfriend and having a cocaine problem in a series of tweets sent on Tuesday. Carrasco used to write for BJPenn.com, a site owned by the former UFC lightweight and welterweight champion, but left parted ways with the company in October 2015.
Carrasco felt compelled to come forward with the allegations due to the increased media exposure giving to Penn surrounding his scheduled return to the UFC.
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MMA photographer and videographer Cynthia Vance also weighed in on the allegations. Vance revealed she stood by Carrasco, and had her own story to tell of Penn which, if true, does not paint him in a good light.
I stand with @LATLPEDRO. I never said anything before out of respect to him because that was his situation to deal with.
— Cynthia Vance • シンシア (@cynthiavance) February 16, 2016
It was the most heartbreaking thing to witness… coming from Hawai'i where BJ is regarded as a hero.
— Cynthia Vance • シンシア (@cynthiavance) February 16, 2016
Vance confessed that she could not confirm the alleged sexual assault as she was not present when the incident supposedly took place. However, she opened up about a time she was staying with Penn in Hawaii for a week on a shoot, one which she claimed she had to abandon.
I just want to clarify that I can't speak on what 'exactly' went down with the sexual assault.
— Cynthia Vance • シンシア (@cynthiavance) February 17, 2016
But I was staying with them for nearly a week. And I know what happened to me and what went down around me.
— Cynthia Vance • シンシア (@cynthiavance) February 17, 2016
The whole shoot fell apart. I asked for the first ticket out of there and the show was cancelled.
— Cynthia Vance • シンシア (@cynthiavance) February 17, 2016
Carrasco confirmed that there is an investigation pending, and the UFC have since announced that Penn’s return to fighting, which was scheduled for UFC 197, has been postponed. The UFC made sure to note that they are not prejudging the fighter and that he is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
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UFC is aware of the recent allegations made against BJ Penn. The organization requires all athletes who compete in the UFC to act in an ethical and responsible manner, as detailed in the UFC Fighter Conduct Policy.
UFC will not tolerate violations of the policy. 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.
The UFC organization will also cooperate with any law enforcement investigation. In light of the serious allegations, UFC has postponed plans to book Penn for an upcoming bout until more details are determined.
UFC holds athletes who compete in the organization to the highest standard and will continue to take appropriate action, if and when warranted. It is important to note that Penn is considered innocent until proven guilty and UFC is not prejudging this matter.”
