Jacob Behney’s life took a dramatic turn after his arrest in November 2016 on sexual assault charges. The legal system found him guilty in May 2018, and he received a ten-year prison sentence that allowed parole after five years.
The case against Behney crumbled because prosecutors lacked sufficient evidence and found inconsistencies in the victim’s testimony. His time in California’s prison system brought harsh lessons about survival. He learned the unwritten rules of prison life the hard way and faced violent confrontations. A simple chess game with an inmate from another racial group led to him getting attacked.
Let’s take a closer look at Behney’s complete story in this piece. We’ll learn about his connection to UFC fighter Bobby Green, examine the details of his controversial prison term, and see how these events shaped both his life and public image after release.
Who is Jacob Behney?
Jacob Behney, born and raised in the United States, stays private about his early life. Records show he spent his childhood in Ohio, though he doesn’t share his birth date publicly. His working-class parents had basic education and faced financial hardships. While he remains private about his background, his impact on martial arts has pushed him into the spotlight.
Early life and background
Life in Ohio shaped Behney’s original views, but he rarely talks about those days. His middle-class roots laid the groundwork that helped him later in life. He had a typical childhood, yet the challenges he faced would later shape how he mentors others in similar situations. His quiet nature about personal matters creates mystery around his early years, which stands in stark contrast to his later visibility in the MMA community.
Education and substance struggles
Behney graduated from Riverside Norte Vista High School and started engineering at a local community college. His academic path took a dark turn as he battled serious drug problems that got worse during his college years. These issues forced him to quit school and pick up random jobs just to feed his growing addiction.
A drug possession arrest became his wake-up call. He committed to getting better and spent months in treatment before breaking free from addiction. This life-changing experience now shapes how he coaches and mentors others.
Career beginnings in MMA and Jiu-Jitsu
Baseball was Behney’s first love in sports. He showed great skill as a catcher in high school and college, with dreams of going pro. His path changed completely when he found Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Behney dove deep into martial arts and opened Pinnacle Mixed Martial Arts in Redlands, California. His training center quickly earned respect for its detailed approach to martial arts teaching. The school runs daily classes and offers special Wednesday night sessions for kids aged four to thirteen.
His gym features talented fighters who teach there, including UFC’s Bobby Green, Bellator’s Darrion Caldwell, and Willie Gates. The school has touched many lives, helping children, teens, and adults grow through his guidance.
The father-son bond with Bobby Green
Bobby Green and Jacob Behney’s journey together stands as more than a coach-student bond—it blossomed into one of MMA’s most meaningful father-son relationships.
How they met at Pinnacle MMA
Their paths crossed when someone brought Green to Behney’s Pinnacle MMA gym in Redlands, California. Green would show up once a week at first, then disappear back to the streets. Most coaches would have given up, but Behney showed extraordinary dedication. He told Fox Sports about searching for Green and going into dangerous neighborhoods. “I would show up to a house where there’s eight or nine big dudes hanging out in front, probably in some type of gang. And here I am, this fairly well-dressed white guy in a decent car and I’m looking for Bobby Green”.
Green ended up finding his home at Pinnacle MMA. He stayed loyal to Behney through his career, even with offers from many powerhouse gyms. “I feel like he’s a representation of loyalty,” Green said about Behney. “When I have been down, Jake has always been there to support me, motivate me and keep me going”.
Bobby Green’s foster care background
Mitchell Davis and Connie Scott’s son Bobby was born in San Bernardino, California. His early years were unstable. His father’s imprisonment and his mother’s drug addiction forced him into foster care at age five.
Green found brief stability with his father’s mother, who took him and his brother Mitchell in. Life changed again when she died during Green’s teenage years. The brothers returned to foster care and got separated. These abandonments left Green feeling lost. “I’m just like this little lost puppy,” he once described himself. “I’ve always felt like I don’t fit in. I don’t fit in anywhere. Where do I belong?”
Why Bobby calls Jacob his real father
Their bond exceeds any legal paperwork, though Behney never adopted Green. Green made their relationship public after beating Clay Guida in June 2020: “This is my father. I was born in foster care. I didn’t have a mother or father; they gave me away. My father wasn’t fit to be my father. This is my dad here, Jacob Behney. He’s been there since the beginning”.
Both men share deep mutual respect. Green thanks Behney for shaping him as a fighter. Behney sees Green’s heart—a man who visits children at Ronald McDonald House and gives his boxing gloves to kids in youth classes.
Their story shows how meaningful connections can form whatever blood ties exist. Green said it best: “He’ll lay his life down for me, I’ll lay my life down for him”.
The prison sentence and legal case
The prison sentence and legal case
Jacob Behney’s life changed drastically in 2016 after accusations of sexual assault emerged from an encounter with a woman he met at a local bar.
The 2016 arrest and charges
Police arrested Behney on November 14, 2016. A woman claimed he had followed her home from a bar and sexually assaulted her. Behney managed to keep his stance that the encounter was consensual, which directly contradicted his accuser’s claims. The case got much media attention. News outlets painted Behney in a negative light before the trial even started.
Details of the trial and conviction
The prosecution’s case relied on the victim’s testimony and DNA evidence. Behney’s defense team stood firm that the encounter was consensual. The trial became heated as Behney took the stand to testify. The jury ended up finding him guilty. The public remained split – some people believed prosecutors had unfairly targeted him.
Sentence and early release due to lack of evidence
The court handed down a 10-year prison sentence on May 2, 2018, with parole possible after 5 years. Behney served time in a California state prison. His case fell apart due to weak evidence and contradictions in the victim’s statements. These findings led to his release ahead of schedule, though records don’t show the exact date. The damage was already done – Behney lost his job and his community turned against him.
Life after prison and public perception
Jacob Behney’s life changed dramatically after his prison release as his story spread to a wider audience. The public showed great interest in his experiences as a first-time offender through various media appearances.
Appearance on Joe Rogan podcast
Behney and Bobby Green made a joint appearance on episode #121 of The Joe Rogan Experience in 2022. He shared his difficult experiences from his time behind bars. A chess game with an inmate from a different racial background led to serious consequences. This simple act broke an unwritten prison code and put his life at risk. Two inmates tried to attack him with the intent to kill.
Controversy around his prison story
Former inmates challenged Behney’s prison stories. An ex-convict publicly cast doubt on his account by asking, “Does anybody believe this sh*t?”. The critic also claimed that Rogan was “too naive” about jail experiences and couldn’t spot potential made-up stories. This sparked discussions about how prison life differs from what people think.
Impact on his coaching career
Behney went back to teaching martial arts after his release. He kept training fighters even after his legal troubles. His time in prison wasn’t wasted – he earned his GED and took college courses. He also learned carpentry and welding skills that gave him other career options besides coaching.
Conclusion
Jacob Behney’s life story proves his resilience in the face of extraordinary hardship. He built Pinnacle MMA and later faced a controversial legal battle that showed how unpredictable life can be. His bond with Bobby Green stayed strong through it all, showing how real connections can surpass blood relationships.
The case against Behney fell apart due to lack of evidence. He finally gained his freedom, but not before experiencing the harsh reality of prison life. His experiences behind bars, whether fully accurate or partly embellished as critics claim, without doubt shaped his outlook on life after release.
Bobby Green’s steadfast loyalty reveals Behney’s true character beyond the allegations that briefly defined him publicly. Their connection shows how meaningful mentorship can grow into family ties that endure the toughest times.
Behney went back to teaching martial arts after his release. He keeps coaching fighters despite his past struggles. While in prison, he earned educational credentials that gave him new skills and career options, showing his drive for growth even in his darkest moments.
Jacob Behney’s untold story reminds us that public opinion rarely shows someone’s complete story. His relationship with Bobby Green, his controversial time in prison, and his return to coaching tell the tale of a man who rebuilt his life despite major setbacks. He continues to affect those around him positively.
FAQs
Q1. Who is Jacob Behney and how is he connected to Bobby Green? Jacob Behney is a martial arts instructor and the founder of Pinnacle Mixed Martial Arts in Redlands, California. He is considered Bobby Green’s father figure, having mentored and supported the UFC fighter since they met at Behney’s gym. Despite not being biologically related, Green refers to Behney as his real father due to their strong bond.
Q2. What legal issues did Jacob Behney face? Behney was arrested in 2016 on sexual assault charges. He was initially convicted and sentenced to 10 years in prison. However, the case against him eventually collapsed due to insufficient evidence and inconsistencies in the victim’s statements, leading to his early release.
Q3. How did Jacob Behney’s imprisonment affect his career? Behney’s imprisonment had a significant impact on his life and career. He lost his job and faced ostracism from many in his community. However, after his release, he returned to martial arts instruction and continued mentoring fighters, showcasing his resilience and dedication to his passion.
Q4. What controversy surrounds Jacob Behney’s prison stories? Behney’s accounts of his prison experiences, shared on platforms like Joe Rogan’s podcast, have been met with skepticism by some former inmates. Critics have questioned the credibility of his stories, particularly regarding incidents of violence and racial tensions in prison.
Q5. How has Jacob Behney’s relationship with Bobby Green evolved over time? Behney and Green’s relationship began at Pinnacle MMA and has grown into a strong father-son bond. Despite offers from other gyms, Green has remained loyal to Behney throughout his career. Their connection has endured through Behney’s legal troubles, with Green publicly acknowledging Behney as his father figure and crediting him for his success in MMA.
