UFC Phoenix preview: 'El Pantera' goes on the hunt for a legend

The UFC opens 2017 with a card headlined by an MMA legend and a rising prospect looking to make a name off of him.

Yair Rodriguez faces "The Prodigy" BJ Penn in the main event of UFC Fight Night 103 on Sunday in Las Vegas, a bout that will mark Penn's first fight since retiring for a second time in July 2014. The former lightweight and welterweight champion turned 38 last month and has not won a fight in six years, but his name still carries plenty of cachet.

At least that's what the matchmakers are banking on as they look to elevate the 24-year-old Rodriguez, one of the most promising competitors at 145 pounds and a Mexican star who could play a key role in the UFC's ongoing mission to break into the Latin American market.

"El Pantera" brings a flashy striking style into the cage, a trait that was evident when he executed one of the best knockouts of the year last April against Andre Fili:

Should Rodriguez be successful in snagging his sixth UFC win in as many appearances, Penn will by far be the most impressive scalp on his list. The torch is set to be passed to the next generation, even if Rodriguez has to rip it from Penn's stubborn hands.

Related - UFC Phoenix predictions: Can 'The Prodigy' rise again?

The younger Pettis steps into the spotlight

For all the buzz surrounding Sergio Pettis, he has never competed on a UFC main card in seven appearances with the organization. That changes this weekend when he faces one-time flyweight title contender John Moraga in the opener of UFC Fight Night 103.

With older brother Anthony struggling to regain his former glory, it could be time for Sergio to prove that he can follow in the championship footsteps of "Showtime."

Pettis has won two straight since being TKO'd in his flyweight debut against Ryan Benoit, and he has a crowd-pleasing style that should help him win fans over. Moraga presents a significant step up in competition, but he's a late-notice replacement who is trending trending downward while Pettis' skills appear to be peaking.

Like Rodriguez, a high-level performance on Sunday's main card could propel "The Phenom" to the forefront of the UFC's next generation of stars.

Can Nina Ansaroff match her better half?

When you're dating the best female fighter in the world, there are going to be some high expectations when it's your turn to step into the cage.

Strawweight Nina Ansaroff last competed on Jan. 2, 2016 and since then her girlfriend Amanda Nunes won the UFC women's bantamweight championship and defended it against Ronda Rousey. Meanwhile, Ansaroff has spent a good chunk of the last 12 months recovering from a knee injury.

So far, Ansaroff has yet to make her mark in the Octagon, going winless with a pair of unanimous-decision losses to Juliana Lima and Justine Kish. But as the saying goes, iron sharpens iron, and Ansaroff's close relationship with the champ could be a boon to her future in-cage prospects.

Mystery men

To say that Sunday's preliminary card features some unfamiliar faces would be an understatement. Even the most hardcore MMA fan will probably struggle through the opening acts that include six heavyweight fighters who have a whopping four wins between them in 15 combined UFC appearances.

Yikes.

If the UFC is looking to put its best foot forward in the new year, they're going to have to hope that these unknown properties populating the preliminaries step up to the plate and prove they belong inside the Octagon.