UFC Legend BJ Penn Calls CTE Part Of A "Fake" Plot To "Cover Up Murders"

UFC Hall of Famer BJ Penn raised some eyebrows after a recent Instagram comment questioning a prominent brain disease.

The Alzheimer's Association defines CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy) as a progressive and fatal brain disease associated with repeated traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), including concussions and repeated blows to the head. It is also associated with the development of dementia.

The existence of CTE is not a controversial topic, but thanks social media, conspiracy theories and other anti-science beliefs are peddled far and wide.

On Monday, Penn floated the notion that CTE is fake. Taking things a step (or three) further, apparently some people believe this very-real medical condition is actually a front to "cover up murders." 

Penn cites famous boxers such as Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, Ken Norton, George Foreman, Marvin Haggler, Roberto Duran, Sugar Ray Leonard and Thomas Hearns "never had it" despite getting punched in the head "a million times more" than Penn.

The retired fighter (16-14-2) previously called CTE "as fake as the coronavirus" and recently got called out by Politifact for another questionable post claiming Dr. Anthony Fauci "doesn't exist." 

Dr. Fauci existed at the time of his post, still does exist, and served as the Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases from 1984 to 2022.

You can learn more about CTE's links to combat sports at CombatSportLaw.com.