UFC legend BJ Penn set for Phoenix return against hot prospect Yair Rodriguez

UFC legend BJ Penn is on his way back to the Octagon to take on one of the hottest prospects in MMA.

The former two-weight UFC champion has had a succession of bouts scheduled for his comeback, but each time his return has fallen through.

But now he’s been scheduled for action on Saturday January 15 against Mexican featherweight star Yair Rodriguez in the main event of UFC Fight Night in Phoenix, Arizona.

Penn’s last appearance in the Octagon came more than two years ago when he lost to Frankie Edgar at The Ultimate Fighter Finale in Las Vegas.

That defeat marked a three-fight losing skid, with Penn winning just ONCE in his last eight contests stretching back to December 2009.

Penn announced he intended to compete again last year, but fights with Dennis Siver, Cole Miller and Ricardo Lamas all fell by the wayside.

But now the former UFC lightweight and welterweight champion is on the brink of a return against Rodriquez, who can extend his winning streak to seven in a row with victory over the UFC Hall of Famer in Phoenix.

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Rodriguez’s last outing saw him taken the distance by Alex Caceres in a hugely entertaining affair at UFC Fight Night in Salt Lake City.

He took a split-decision victory on that occasion, but in the bout before that he unleashed one of the knockouts of the year against Andre Fili at UFC 197.

The high-flying Mexican has a career record of eight wins, 1 loss, with a perfect UFC record of 6-0.