Yair Rodriguez: BJ Penn already had his shot at greatness, now it’s my turn

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) returns to the FOX Sports 1 network this Sunday night (Jan. 15, 2017) for UFC Fight Night 103: "Rodriguez vs. Penn," which takes place inside Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona.

Check out the finalized fight card and line up here.

The promotion's latest mixed martial arts (MMA) card will feature a featherweight showdown pitting top division prospect Yair Rodriguez against former two-division champion BJ Penn, who already locked up his spot in the hall of fame.

But don’t expect “Pantera” to be starstruck come fight night.

“This is an amazing opportunity for me,” Rodriguez said. ”I used to watch him on TV and he was like some guy who I looked up to. I don’t know how that sounds for you guys, but for me it’s a big deal. He represents the old school of MMA. He has all the technique and experience. I think he already had his time to do whatever it is he could do. Now it’s my time. It’s my turn.”

So far, so good.

After a perfect run on The Ultimate Fighter (TUF): “Latin America,” Rodriguez (9-1) captured five straight under the UFC banner, including last August’s five-round win over Alex Caceres. Penn (16-10), meanwhile, has not competed in over two years and will be making his debut at featherweight.

Who ya’ got?

MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC Fight Night 103 fight card on fight night (click here), starting with the Fight Pass "Prelims" matches online, which are scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. ET, and then the remaining undercard balance on FOX Sports 1 at 8 p.m. ET, before the main card start time at 10 p.m. ET, also on FOX Sports 1.

For much more on this weekend’s big shebang click here.