Live on Saturday April 30, 2011 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada UFC 129 will be held at Canada's most prestigious sporting centre, The Rogers Centre. After setting multiple North American attendance records including the largest attendance for a mixed martial arts event, and ticket sale speed, the Rogers Centre will be filled with 55,000 fans for an exciting nights of fights.
With two Campionship bouts on tap and a legend taking on a former Champion, the UFC is making a clear point that it values it's new home. The fans are certainly getting what they want.
Welterweight Championship Bout
Georges St. Pierre (c) vs Jake Shields
UFC Welterweight Champion, Georges St. Pierre will be taking on one of the most successful fighters in the business. Undefeated since 2004, Jake Shields has been a Champion in 3 organizations since his last loss and has won 15 consecutive fights. Not only is Shields a great mixed martial artist, but he is the most decorated jiu-jitsu specialist that Georges St. Pierre has ever faced. Winning multiple grappling tournaments and placing bronze at the prestigious Abu Dhabi Combat Club, Jake Shields will be the first fighter to face the current Champion with a clear-cut advantage in any area.
However, don't count out Georges St. Pierre. UFC Champion since 2007, St. Pierre has dominated every round of every fight since a shocking loss to Matt Serra in 2007. Training with Firas Zahabi and Freddie Roach on his striking, St. Pierre will have an advantage over Shields where the fight starts, on its feet. As far as St. Pierre's grappling goes, he has never had any problem against grapplers of any predisposition. Jiu Jitsu and Wrestling specialists alike have all come and gone at the hands of St. Pierre. Listed as Rogers Sportsnet Canadian Athlete of the Year from 2008-2010, St. Pierre will be the clear favorite of his countrymen.
I believe, like the Champions last fight (against Josh Koscheck) that this matchup will be decided on the feet. In the stand-up realm, Georges St. Pierre will hold the challenger at bay with his jabs and do damage with leg kicks. If Shields finds a way to take Georges St. Pierre down, I feel his defensive jiu-jitsu will be enough to stifle Shields' top control. Likewise, St. Pierre will be able to scramble back to his feet. However, don't count Shields out, the line on this one is close.
My Pick: Georges St. Pierre via Unanimous Decision
Featherweight Championship Bout
Jose Aldo (c) vs Mark Hominick
In the second Championship bout of the night, Brazilian phenom Jose Aldo will take on Canadian challenger Mark Hominick.
Jose Aldo has lost only one fight in his mixed martial arts career, it was in 2005. Since then, Jose Aldo has defeated the best fighters in world including an utter demolition of Urijah Faber by way of kicking the hell out of his legs. He is one of the best strikers in the world of combat sports today.
Canadian Mark Hominick is finally getting his shot at mixed martial arts famed. After years in the business, he will face one of the best fighters in the world. Undefeated since 2008, Hominick has finished every fight since his last loss. Well versed on the ground and capable on his feet, Hominick is a well-rounded fighter that will pose a threat in multiple areas to current Champion Jose Aldo.
Watch for Jose Aldo to use his devastating leg kicks to limit Hominick's mobility en route to a mid-fight TKO victory. As good as Hominick is, Aldo is just that much better.
My Pick: Jose Aldo via (T)KO
Randy Couture vs Lyoto Machida
Two Former Champions will face off in a battle of styles. On one hand, an aging veteran renowned for his wrestling and boxing ability; and on the other, a dangerous and elusive striker with a sumo background.
Randy Couture is one of the most appreciated men in the sport. A former Olympic wrestler and multi-divisional Champion, Couture is on a 3 fight win streak and about to face his toughest test in recent history.
Known for his ability to dominate in the clinch and push his opponents against the cage, Couture has defeated many opponents with dirty boxing. He has mastered the art of putting together a gameplan and his bread and butter hasn't failed him yet. In his past three fights, Couture has been able to work over his opponent whilst leaning on him against the cage. That might not work this time.
Lyoto Machida has gone from being one of the most promising fighters in the most competitive division of the UFC to falling to a 2 fight losing streak and being at risk of losing his job. A karate expert since the age of 3, Machida has the most elusive style in the UFC. Rarely being hit is one thing he'll count as an advantage over the plodding Couture. Another advantage, perhaps as strange as it is relevant will be his training in sumo.
Perhaps the rarest style in mixed martial arts, sumo is not seen as being a relevant background. The art of pushing an opponent with the use of leverage and body weight positioning will prove a major factor against the wrestler. But what if Couture takes Machida down you ask? Well, Machida is a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and has a very dangerous and active guard. So, that might not help.
I see this fight going one way, and that way is in Machida's favor. Machida will use his ability to stick and move to outstrike the UFC hall-of-famer and his training in sumo to avoid being pressed against the cage.
My Pick: Lyoto Machida via (T)KO
UNDERCARD LOCKS
John Makdessi vs Kyle Watson
My Pick: John Makdessi via (T)KO
There you have it, the picks for UFC 129, Live from Toronto, Ontario, Canada! Remember, UFC 129 will feature the new start time of 6:00 PM PT / 9:00 PM ET.
Enjoy the fights.
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