MMA legend BJ Penn was arrested over the weekend ... after he had a strange run-in with cops that was captured on video.
According to Hawaii Police Department records, Penn was thrown behind bars in Hilo at around 9:40 PM on Sunday on a charge of "abuse family or household member: offensive physical contact."
Launch Gallery Launch Gallery GettyRecords show he was released on $2,000 bail hours later -- at 1:48 AM on Monday. Further details surrounding the arrest were not made immediately available -- we've reached out to cops for comment, but have yet to hear back.