UFC Gym BJ Penn holds open house

Tim Wright/ Contributed Over the weekend, a large crowd assembled in Hilo to witness in the inauguration and traditional Hawaiian blessing of BJ Penn's latest UFC Gym. The gym, occupying 20,000 square feet and with an estimated cost of over $7 million, showcases cutting-edge gym equipment, free weights, a dedicated Jiu-jitsu training zone, an MMA ring and even a cryotherapy chamber. BJ Penn, a native of Hilo — and a highly respected 5th-degree Jiu-jitsu black belt and a former professional mixed martial artist — put on a Jiu-jitsu display shortly after the gym's doors opened.

Over the weekend, a large crowd assembled in Hilo to witness in the inauguration and traditional Hawaiian blessing of BJ Penn’s latest UFC Gym. The gym, occupying 20,000 square feet and with an estimated cost of over $7 million, showcases cutting-edge gym equipment, free weights, a dedicated Jiu-jitsu training zone, an MMA ring and even a cryotherapy chamber. BJ Penn, a native of Hilo — and a highly respected 5th-degree Jiu-jitsu black belt and a former professional mixed martial artist — put on a Jiu-jitsu display shortly after the gym’s doors opened.