Rodriguez vs. Penn to Headline Phoenix Event

UFC Hall of Famer BJ Penn's long-awaited return to the Octagon will headline the UFC's Phoenix event on January 15, as "The Prodigy" faces Mexican phenom Yair Rodriguez in a five-round featherweight bout at Talking Stick Resort Arena.

FS1 will televise the special Sunday UFC Fight Night event, which marks the UFC's first show in Phoenix since December of 2014. Tickets go on sale on Friday, December 2.

Winner of season one of The Ultimate Fighter Latin America, Yair Rodriguez is unbeaten in five UFC bouts thus far, a run highlighted by a Fight of the Night victory over Charles Rosa and a Performance of the Night KO of Andre Fili.

Fresh from a Fight of the Night decision win over Alex Caceres in his first headlining assignment, Mexico's "Pantera" will return to the main event slot against Hawaiian superstar Penn, one of only three fighters to hold two UFC titles, and a fan favorite looking to soar back to the top of the MMA world as a featherweight. But to get that journey started right, the 37-year-old Penn must hold off the charge of the 24-year-old Rodriguez.

Stay tuned to UFC.com for more fight card announcements.