UFC 129 Recap

55,000 fight fans filled the Rodgers Center in Toronto, Ontario for what turned out to be the great fight card we had all hoped for. The night was filled with early round knockouts, and submissions. Even the fights that went the distance were packed with action from start to finish. The three fights that most were waiting for did not disappoint.

The first of the three was Randy Couture vs Lyoto Machida. Couture had said before the fight, that win or lose this would be his last fight. At 47, Couture came into the ring 15 years older than his opponent, and it was obvious from the beginning. Couture had no success closing the space between himself, and Machida. Lyoto's Karate style was every bit as elusive as it was billed to be. The few times Randy got close enough to grab Machida, Machida easily slipped out. The two exchanged punches in the first round with Machida landing the cleaner, more effective strikes. Between rounds, Lyoto must have gone to the dressing room, and had Mr. Miyagi "do that thing with his hands." Machida landed what can only be described as "the crane." Faking with the left leg, leaping in the air, and landing a front kick with the right leg, Machida put an emphatic end on Couture's career. The fight was stopped immediately. Couture was KO'd. The UFC legend congratulated Machida on a "great shot," who in turn called Couture "a true hero." Couture confirmed his retirement, saying he was done fighting for good.

The main event of the evening left us all wanting, as most Georges St. Pierre fights do. Jake Shields is a master in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He is unbeatable from top position. Non of that matters, however, when you can't get your opponent to the ground. GSP refused to allow Shields to take him down. He wouldn't even let Shields TRY to take him down. The two stayed on their feet for most of the fight. Shields started to get to GSP later in the fight, after GSP took a thumb to the eye on a takedown of his own. But in the end, it wasn't enough. The most interesting thing about the unanimous decision, was that GSP actually lost a couple of rounds for the first time in his last 30 rounds. GSP retained his welterweight belt, and will hopefully look to move up and fight Anderson,"The Spider," Silva next.

The fight I was most looking forward to, turned out to be the best fight of the night. Jose Aldo made his UFC debut against Canadian Mark Hominick. The two men came out swinging, and didn't stop until the horn sounded to end the 5th round. Aldo came out fast, landing leg kicks to Hominick's left knee that looked like they were going to break his leg. He mixed in punches and kicks from all angles. Hominick took them very well, and settled into a very relaxed & accurate striker. Through the next several minutes of the fight, Hominick was able to slip Aldos attack without ever being out of striking range. He landed punch after punch while Aldo seemed to be slowing down. In the 3rd round it looked as though Aldo realized his chin could handle the Hominick punches. He stepped up his pressure and began to wear Hominick down. Then, in the 4th, it happened. Hominick began to grow a second head! A short elbow to the head of Hominick started the trouble. Hominicks head began to swell instantly. The knot quickly grew to be the size of a baseball. The referee stopped the action for the doctor to take a look. After a quick exam, the doc cleared Hominick and the fight resumed. Between rounds, the corner of Hominick did everything they could to bring down the swelling. It was to no avail. The 5th round started with a second look from the doctor. Again, Hominick was cleared to fight. He pressed Aldo, eventually taking him to the ground with just 2 minutes left in the fight. Aldo spent the last 2 minutes on his back while Hominick pounded his face. Hominick wasn't able to get the stoppage, and the fight went to the score cards. All three judges gave the fight to Aldo, but Hominick had no reason to hold his head down. Both fighters left everything they had in the octagon. Fight of the night for sure.