Former lightweight champion B.J. Penn (16-10, 7 KOs, 6 SUBs) will meet rising prospect Yair Rodriguez (9-1, 2 KOs, 2 SUBs) at UFC Fight Night 103 on Saturday, January 15, 2017 at the Talking Stick Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. The main card airs on FS1 starting 10 p.m. ET. Bet on the latest UFC odds at BookMaker.eu now!
Let’s try this again. After three failed attempts at a UFC comeback, B.J. Penn will return to the octagon this Saturday to face rising Mexican star Yair Rodriguez in the main event of UFC Fight Night 103. It’s a tough matchup for the Hawaiian legend, who hasn’t fought since July 2014 and hasn’t won a fight since UFC 123 in November 2010. He’ll face a young stud in “Pantera”, who has been on 5-0 tear since his UFC debut.
Bet on UFC odds at BookMaker.eu now
B.J. Penn +355
Yair Rodriguez -450
Over/under 2.5 rounds, over -110, under -110
Please note, the UFC odds at BookMaker.eu are updated daily.
The Case for Penn
Talent has never been a question for Penn. Motivation and training has. But Penn’s decision to train at Jackson-Wink should give fans of the Hawaiian some hope in a successful return. For years, the New Mexico camp has been considered one of the top MMA gyms in the sport. Not only for fighter preparation, but in concocting masterfully tailored gameplans.
At his prime, Penn was a superb boxer and even more skilled BJJ practitioner. Famed boxing coach Freddie Roach proclaimed that he had the best hands in MMA, and his long list of jiu-jitsu accomplishments - along with his otherworldly flexibility - made him a nightmare for opponents.
At 38, “The Prodigy” is battling Father Time, but if has properly applied his extraordinary talents in the gym there’s no telling how good he could still be. Remember, he is considered one of the greatest lightweight champions of all time.
The Case for Rodriguez
Youth is unquestionably the foremost factor in favor of Rodriguez. Just 24 years old, “Pantera” is nearly 15 years the junior of Penn. That means he’ll be the fresher, faster fighter inside the octagon. Additionally, he’s an extremely big featherweight at 5’11”, and will have a natural size advantage on fight night.
Rodriguez makes great use of his taekwondo background, throwing creative, flashy kicks at a high rate. He is creative and unpredictable, making him extremely difficult to time. And though he prefers to strike, he has shown good instincts in wrestling and can finish takedowns with authority.
But what breaks Penn will likely be the cardio. This is a five-round fight, and Rodriguez has a ridiculous gas tank. Even in the high elevation of Salt Lake City, Pantera threw more than 300 strikes against Alex Caceres and kept up his high octane output until the final bell. Penn has been known to fade badly in the past, which does not bode well against a fighter with a seemingly unlimited gas tank.
Betting Values
Pantera is a big favorite for a reason - he is a blue chip prospect facing an aging legend who hasn’t fought in years. And in Penn’s last three fights, he offered little offense and took prolonged beatings that were just hard to watch. While we cannot question his heart, it’s doubtful that his body can hold up against the unrelenting assault that Rodriguez is known for.
UFC odds pick: Rodriguez TKO Penn, R3
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UFC Fight Night 103 takes place on Saturday, January 15, 2017 at the Talking Stick Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. The main card airs on FS1 starting 10 p.m. ET.
