VIDEO | UFC Phoenix Countdown: Penn vs. Rodriguez

https://youtu.be/YZmxJOoh8p0

This Sunday, the UFC will return to Phoenix, Arizona with an action-packed night of fighting. The card will be headlined by a featherweight bout between dangerous prospect Yair Rodriguez, and our very own BJ Penn. In advance of this compelling showdown, the UFC has released the official UFC Phoenix Countdown, an awesome promo video that shines the spotlight on Rodriguez and Penn.

Watch it in full at the top of this article!

As this UFC Phoenix Countdown details, Penn will be returning to the cage after a layoff of some two and a half years. When we last saw the former welterweight and lightweight champion in action, he came up short in a featherweight bout with long-time rival Frankie Edgar. Prior to that loss, Penn gave up decisions to top-10 welterweights in Rory MacDonald and Nick Diaz, fought unheralded welterweight great Jon Fitch to a draw, and knocked out welterweight legend Matt Hughes with a first-round punch. In advance of his anticipated comeback fight, the UFC Hall-of-Famer has been honing his skills under the tutelage of Greg Jackson and Mike Winkeljohn. With the help of these world renowned coaches, Penn plans to surprise the world by taking out a game prospect in his return.

Rodriguez, meanwhile, has been sharpening his tools under the guidance of Mike Valle in a small Chicago gym. The Mexican prospect will enter this Phoenix showdown having gone 5-0 in his first 5 bouts in the Octagon. During this stretch, he has defeated Leonardo Morales, Charles Rosa, Dan Hooker and Alex Caceres by decision, and most impressively of all, levelled Andre Fili in a 2016 knockout of the year contender. At just 24 years old, he has already earned a spot in the UFC featherweight division’s top-10. He’ll look to improve his station in the division by taking out a bona fide legend in Penn.

After watching the UFC Phoenix Countdown episode, who do you think comes out on top in the main event? Sound off, PENN Nation!