FOXSports.com is on the scene at UFC 129 at the Rogers Centre in Toronto for the biggest mixed martial arts event in history.
Follow the live blog below.
Main bouts (on pay-per-view):
Georges St. Pierre (22-2) vs. Jake Shields (26-5-1)
Round 1
It's main event time as the UFC welterweight king St. Pierre receives an ear-splitting reception from the Toronto crowd, perhaps the loudest in UFC history, for his sixth consecutive title defense against the Cesar Gracie BJJ specialist Shields. Shields lands an inside leg kick on the champion followed by a kick to the body. St. Pierre returns an inside leg kick of his own. The French-Canadian star tries another, but Shields grabs a hold of the leg and tries to take him down. St. Pierre demonstrates superlative takedown defense and keeps his balance. Both men are throwing jabs, but neither is finding much success. St. Pierre misses with two flashy kick attempts, but finally lands a stiff jab on the challenger. Shields continues to press forward, but St. Pierre is landing all the significant strikes. St. Pierre counters a kick attempt with a beautiful straight punch, dropping Shields momentarily. Shields catches another St. Pierre kick attempt and tries to take him down, but he is again unsuccessful. St. Pierre lands an overhand right with 10 seconds left in the round.
FOXSports.com scores the opening frame 10-9 St. Pierre.
Round 2
Shields is using his jab effectively to keep the champion at a distance, but it's not landing. A kick to the body connects for Shields and St. Pierre hits him back with an outside leg kick. St. Pierre misses with an overhand right, but he gets inside with a jab. Another overhand right staggers the challenger, but St. Pierre is stalking him patiently. Sensing a weakness defensively on Shields' part, St. Pierre keeps going back to the overhand right. St. Pierre finds a home for the jab as Shields answers back with a straight right and another body kick. Shields instigates a clinch, but St. Pierre separates and lands two overhand rights followed by a spinning back kick. St. Pierre showcases some fancy footwork in the final seconds of the round, landing several more shots on the challenger.
Another 10-9 round for St. Pierre.
Round 3
Shields is constantly pumping out the jab, while St. Pierre tries to connect on his overhand right. Shields shoots in, but he has nothing for the champion, who easily stuffs his takedown attempt. The pace has slowed with St. Pierre taking his time, methodically picking Shields apart. St. Pierre is landing all the significant strikes and he finally takes Shields down with 30 seconds left in the period. Shields is active off his back, peppering away with punches as St. Pierre rides out the position in half-guard before time expires.
FOXSports.com scores the third round 10-9 St. Pierre.
Round 4
St. Pierre catches one of Shields' kicks early and takes him down, but he backs off and lets the American Jiu Jitsu virtuoso back to his feet. Shields lands a quick combination, but nothing seems to be hurting the champion, who goes back to circling the challenger and throwing his overhand right. St. Pierre drops Shields with a kick, but the durable contender recovers and gets back to his feet. St. Pierre is now bloodied from one of Shields' jabs, but his tactical gameplan is working perfectly.
St. Pierre goes up four rounds to none on the FOXSports.com card.
Round 5
The two warriors shake hands before the start of the fifth and final round. Chants of "GSP" are roaring throughout the Rogers Centre. A superman punch lands for the champion, who is using his speed and footwork beautifully. An overhand right lands for St. Pierre and he catches Shields with a hook as the challenger runs in. While the damage on St. Pierre's face might suggest to some that Shields is winning the fight, St. Pierre is outworking him with combinations and jabs. A nice jab lands for Shields with two minutes remaining in the fight. The crowd is getting restless with the slow-paced, tactical affair with one minute left, but St. Pierre has employed his strategy perfectly. Shields too is now bloodied up as time expires.
FOXSports.com scores the round 10-9 St. Pierre and the fight 50-45 for the champion.
Georges St. Pierre def. Jake Shields via unanimous decision (50-45,
48-47, 48-47)
Jose Aldo (19-1) vs. Mark Hominick (20-9)
Round 1
It is deafening in the Rogers Centre for the Ontario native Hominick as he gets set to challenge the Brazilian pound-for-pound destroyer Aldo in the first of two championship bouts. "Big" John McCarthy is the referee for this featherweight title matchup. They touch gloves and Hominick begins moving forward. Aldo lands a quick combination followed by an outside leg kick and uppercut. Aldo dodges several punches from Hominick and continues to punish the outside leg. Hominick lands a quick left uppercut of his own. Aldo keeps going back to the legs of Hominick with his kicks. The Canadian remains the aggressor as he moves forward and Aldo answers with a takedown. Hominick tries to lock in an armbar from the guard, but Aldo keeps the top position and lands short elbows and punches, though Hominick is never in any threat of being stopped. There is a stalemate in the guard and McCarthy stands the fighters up. Hominick lands a few nice punches before Aldo secures another takedown, finishing the round in Hominick's guard.
FOXSports.com sees the round 10-9 for the champion Aldo.
Round 2
Hominick misses with some hooks and begins picking apart Aldo's body with punches. Aldo comes back with a right uppercut, but Hominick is doing an excellent job using his speed and body punches. Aldo wants no part of Hominick's stand-up and he is unsuccessful on a sloppy shot. Aldo is slowing down and Hominick is looking sharp with his hands. With three minutes to go, Aldo gets a takedown. Hominick is trying to sweep or escape, but Aldo maintains the top position in Hominick's guard. Aldo postures up and lands some punches, but Hominick is mostly neutralizing any of the champion's offense on top. McCarthy stands them up again. Aldo lands a quick right hook followed by another takedown, this time ending up in side control and riding out the rest of the round in that position.
A much better round for the challenger, but FOXSports.com still sees it 10-9 Aldo.
Round 3
Hominick continues to push the pace, while Aldo uses his jab effectively. Hominick is quick on his feet, moving in and out, but Aldo staggers him briefly and backs him up against the cage. Hominick recovers and Aldo goes back to kicking the outside leg. Hominick is now missing on a lot of his punches, but he lands a nice left hook to the body. Aldo is unsuccessful on a takedown attempt and Hominick starts to find his rhythm with his striking. Aldo stuns Hominick with a punch and pounces as he looks for the stoppage, but the Canadian recovers and closes his guard. Aldo is unable to amount any significant offense inside Hominick's guard as the third round ends.
Another 10-9 round for Aldo on the FOXSports.com scorecard.
Round 4
Hominick's face looks badly beaten up as the fourth round gets underway. Aldo hurts the Canadian with a stiff combination and accidentally kicks him in the groin area and he pauses to ensure Hominick is OK. Hominick continues to move well, but Aldo is now finding a home for his straight right. Aldo lands an accidental knee to the groin, causing a brief pause in the action. The fighters touch gloves and we are off. Hominick lands several left hands, but Aldo answers back with outside leg kicks. Aldo lands a nice left punch to the body followed by a kick to the outside lead leg. Aldo drops Hominick with a big shot and follows him to the canvas, but Hominick recovers yet again and closes his guard. There is now a brutal hemorrhage over the left eye of Hominick as he eats short shots off his back. McCarthy halts the action for a doctor to check on Hominick. The tough Canadian wants to continue and the action restarts in the center of the octagon. Aldo tags Hominick with a combination and takes him down with 15 seconds left in the round.
FOXSports.com scores it 10-9 Aldo.
Round 5
The doctor closely examines the damage on Hominick's face before allowing him to start the fifth round. The crowd favorite is now more aggressive, knowing he needs to stop Aldo to win the title. The Brazilian tags Hominick with a looping punch and the bloodied and battered Canadian answers back with his first takedown of the fight, winding up in Aldo's half-guard. Aldo recovers the full guard position, but Hominick drops some stiff punches and hammerfists, causing the crowd to go wild. Aldo is eating some heavy bombs in the guard as chants of "Hominick!" begin to echo throughout the arena. With two minutes left, Hominick is staying busy and connecting with heavy blows to the face and body of the Brazilian champion. Aldo is sustaining significant damage and eating a cavalcade of punches off his back, but it's too little too late for the challenger.
FOXSports.com scores the round 10-9 Hominick, but the fight 49-46 in favor of the defending champion, who improves his record to 19-1.
Jose Aldo def. Mark Hominick via unanimous decision (50-43, 48-46, 49-46), retains UFC featherweight title
Lyoto Machida (16-2) vs. Randy Couture (19-10)
Round 1
Machida has actor Steven Seagal in his corner for this historic light heavyweight showdown with the 47-year-old UFC Hall of Famer Couture, who is met with a thunderous ovation for the last fight of his storied career. After a minute of feeling each other out, Machida lands a nice hook. Couture charges forward, but Machida uses his speed to move out of the way. A nice left hook connects for "The Natural." Machida continues to circle around, waiting for Couture to make the first move. They clinch up briefly and exchange blows in close quarters. Machida comes forward with a right and repeatedly pumps out a jab. Couture is chasing Machida, but he can't get a hold of him. The Brazilian lands a stiff knee. A left hook lands for Couture, but Machida is unfazed. Couture shoots in and Machida defends it well by creating some space. Another nice knee lands for Machida with 10 seconds left in the round.
A close round with little action, but Machida earns it 10-9 on the FOXSports.com card.
Round 2
Machida stuffs an early takedown attempt from the Xtreme Couture founder. He creates some distance and lands a beautiful jumping right push kick to the face of Couture, shades of Anderson Silva's knockout of Vitor Belfort this past February, to knock Couture out at 1:05 of the second round. Couture returns to his feet and the crowd chants "Randy!" in honor of the legend. In his post-fight interview, Machida calls Couture "a hero." Meanwhile, Couture, who is missing a tooth, confirms his retirement and the crowd goes ballistic for the legend.
Lyoto Machida def. Randy Couture via KO (strikes) at 1:05, Round 2
Vladimir Matyushenko (26-5) vs. Jason Brilz (18-4-1)
Round 1
This battle of wrestling standouts kicks off with Matyushenko landing a stiff combination. The Belarusian veteran then drops Brilz with a right uppercut followed by a left straight and pounces on his fallen foe with punches, forcing referee Dan Miragliotta's intervention at the 20-second mark of the round. Brilz protests the stoppage, but he was clearly out.
Vladimir Matyushenko def. Jason Brilz via KO (punches) at 0:20, Round 1
Ben Henderson (13-2) vs. Mark Bocek (9-4)
Round 1
Lightweights Henderson and Bocek kick off the pay-per-view portion of UFC 129. The Toronto native Bocek gets the loudest reception thus far from the sold-out crowd at the Rogers Centre. They touch gloves and we are off. Bocek aggressively shoots in for a takedown, but Henderson flips him around and works his knees in the clinch. The action slows down and referee Yves Lavigne separates the fighters. Once again, Bocek struggles to complete a takedown and Henderson makes him pay with a short elbow in the clinch. Henderson is outstriking Bocek, mixing it up with punches and kicks as Bocek moves forward. Bocek gets a hold of a single-leg, but Henderson keeps his balance. Bocek finally trips him to the mat, but he can't do much damage from top position. Henderson lands a few elbows off his back as time expires.
FOXSports.com sees it 10-9 Henderson.
Round 2
Henderson lands a nice combination coming in, but Bocek grabs his left leg and slams the Colorado native. Henderson tries to lock up Bocek's neck, which causes him to release the position and the fighters are back on their feet. They clinch up again before Lavigne makes the fighters reset. Henderson stuffs a takedown and gets one of his own, but Bocek is active off his back, trying for an omoplata and a kneebar. Henderson is finding openings for his right hand in Bocek's half-guard, but the Canadian wraps up a leg, forcing Henderson back to his feet. They are clinched up again and Bocek wraps up the neck, looking for a D'Arce choke. Henderson finds some space to breathe, but nearly succumbs to a guillotine choke before escaping. Henderson charges forward with punches and bloodies Bocek in the final moments of the round.
A much closer round, but FOXSports.com scores it 10-9 Henderson.
Round 3
Bocek shoots in for a takedown and gets him down 20 seconds into the final round. Henderson tries to sink in a guillotine choke, but Bocek escapes and peppers away with short punches in the guard. Henderson does an excellent job reversing the position and he hammers away with punches on Bocek. The Canadian wraps up a leg and uses the awkward position to take Henderson's back. He can't seem to take advantage and the fighters go back and forth in the clinch. Henderson lands a double-leg takedown, but Bocek latches onto his right leg, desperately trying to reverse the position. Henderson lands some nice knees in the clinch followed by a flurry of punches. With 40 seconds left in the fight, Bocek secures a double-leg takedown and targets the neck, but he is unable to capitalize. Henderson fires away with punches as time expires. FOXSports.com scores the third round 10-9 Henderson and the fight in his favor, 30-27. The crowd doesn't like the decision, but it's the right one as the former WEC lightweight champion improves his record to 13-2.
Benson Henderson def. Mark Bocek via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Preliminary bouts (on Spike TV):
Nate Diaz (13-7) vs. Rory MacDonald (11-1)
Round 1
This exciting welterweight tilt kicks off with MacDonald using his kicks from a distance. Diaz begins taunting, but it is not fazing the 21-year-old Canadian. Diaz finally closes the distance and engages a clinch against the cage. Diaz is staying busy with knees as MacDonald tries for a takedown. Diaz reverses the position and they separate. MacDonald connects with a superman punch and continues to be effective with his kicks from a distance before they clinch up briefly. Chants of "Rory!" are heard throughout the arena as Diaz shoots in for a single-leg takedown, though he cannot complete it.
A strong round for MacDonald, which FOXSports.com scores 10-9.
Round 2
The two fighters come forward and clinch up right away. MacDonald trips Diaz to the mat, but he is hesitant to engage. Diaz returns to his feet and they clinch up again. Another takedown scores for MacDonald, but he retreats and allows Diaz to get back up. Clearly frustrated, Diaz cannot find a home for his punches as MacDonald seems too quick. Diaz backs him up against the cage and lands a quick combination, but MacDonald frees himself from any real danger. The Canadian shoots in for another takedown, but he can't complete it. Diaz stays busy with knees and shoulder strikes in the clinch, but MacDonald manages to separate again. With less than a minute to go, Diaz is desperately trying to get the fight down to the floor, but he can't seem to get a takedown. MacDonald lands several nice counter strikes as time expires.
Another 10-9 round for MacDonald.
Round 3
Diaz still can't find his punching rage and MacDonald is teeing off with kicks. Diaz fails on a single-leg takedown and gives up his back. MacDonald emphatically slams him twice and the crowd erupts, but Diaz manages to close the half-guard. MacDonald stays busy on top and unleashes several bombs before slamming the Stockton native with authority a third time. The durable Cesar Gracie product returns to his feet, but he has no answer for MacDonald's pressure and wrestling. With one minute left, MacDonald takes him down again and administers some ground-and-pound from the guard. Diaz is trying to wrap up MacDonald's leg, but the Canadian is staying busy with vicious elbows, one of which opens a cut over the right eyebrow of Diaz. Diaz returns to his feet, but it's too little too late as MacDonald picks up the one-sided unanimous decision victory on the FOXSports.com scorecard, 30-27.
Rory MacDonald def. Nate Diaz via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-26)
Jake Ellenberger (24-5) vs. Sean Pierson (11-5)
Round 1
The Toronto-based fighter Pierson gets a loud ovation for the first bout on the Spike TV prelims. "Let's go Pierson!" chants echo throughout the arena as Ellenberger catches Pierson coming in with a counter left hook. The Omaha native proceeds to shoot in for a takedown, but Pierson gets back to his feet quickly. They trade wild punches and Ellenberger then lands another vicious counter left hook, this time staggering Pierson before pouncing on the fallen Canadian with heavy bombs, causing referee Herb Dean to jump in for the save at the 2:42 mark.
Jake Ellenberger def. Sean Pierson via KO (punches) at 2:42, Round 1
Preliminary bouts (on Facebook):
Claude Patrick (14-1) vs. Daniel Roberts (12-2)
Round 1
The Toronto native Patrick gets a great response from the live crowd and this battle of submission specialists is underway. Patrick immediately secures a takedown and lands in Roberts' half-guard. Roberts tries to sink in a kimura off his back, which forces Patrick to retreat and return to a vertical base. Patrick lands a nice straight left and continues to press forward, landing an outside leg kick and instigating a clinch against the cage. They separate and a nice overhand left lands for the Canadian. They clinch up again and Patrick successfully takes him down. He tries to pass to an arm-triangle choke, but Roberts defends it well and works the rubber guard. Patrick lets him back up and unloads with punches, forcing Roberts to cover up and back up, bringing the crowd to their feet as time expires.
FOXSports.com sees it as a strong 10-9 round for the hometown hero Patrick.
Round 2
Roberts catches a leg kick by Patrick and takes him down. Patrick utilizes the butterfly guard effectively to return to his feet. The two fighters go back and forth in the clinch before Patrick connects with a nice knee. Roberts has slowed down considerably and he is clearly more tentative standing. Patrick shoots in for a strong double-leg takedown, but Roberts traps his neck and uses a guillotine choke attempt to sweep him. Roberts has side control, but Patrick defends intelligently by recovering the half-guard and eventually the guard. Roberts latches onto his back and nearly sinks in the hooks, but Patrick uses Roberts' own momentum to get back up.
A closer round, but FOXSports.com sees it 10-9 Patrick.
Round 3
Roberts circles well, but Patrick is still landing the more damaging strikes. The 13-1 Canadian secures a takedown with 3:30 remaining in the final round. Patrick takes advantage immediately, improving to the full mount briefly before the fighters return to a vertical base. Roberts shoots in for a desperate takedown and finds no success as Patrick rotates him around against the cage. Referee Dan Miragliotta separates the fighters after a stalemate in the action. With less than a minute remaining in the fight, Patrick keeps peppering Roberts with strikes and defends another takedown attempt. Patrick attempts a guillotine choke, but Roberts escapes and lands on top with less than 10 seconds to go.
A strong final round for Patrick, who takes this fight 30-27 on the FOXSports.com scorecard, improving his streak to 13 wins in a row.
Claude Patrick def. Daniel Roberts via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Ivan Menjivar (22-8) vs. Charlie Valencia (12-7)
Round 1
Referee "Big" John McCarthy is overseeing the action. The Tristar Gym product Menjivar misses with a spinning back fist early on, but continues to press the action. They clinch up and Menjivar gets the best of the exchange, landing knees and dropping Valencia with a sharp left elbow that breaks his nose. Valencia covers up and Menjivar capitalizes, reigning down punches for the TKO stoppage.
Ivan Menjivar def. Charlie Valencia via TKO (punches) at 1:30, Round 1
Jason MacDonald (25-14) vs. Ryan Jensen (15-8)
Round 1
A tremendous ovation for the Edmonton native MacDonald. He wastes little time shooting in for a takedown as Jensen drops down for a guillotine choke. MacDonald escapes and rolls to the back of the Greg Jackson pupil. Jensen rolls out of it and lands in MacDonald's guard. The Canadian tactically sets up a tight triangle choke, forcing Jensen to tap out and referee Herb Dean to intervene at 1:27 of the opening stanza.
Jason MacDonald def. Ryan Jensen via submission (triangle choke) at 1:27, Round 1
John Makdessi (9-0) vs. Kyle Watson (13-7-1)
Round 1
Both men start slow with Watson pushing out a jab and Makdessi targeting the taller fighter's legs with kicks. Makdessi tags Watson coming in with a hard left hook. With two minutes left in the round, Makdessi lands a nice spinning back kick to the body. The crowd is getting restless with the pace of the action, but Makdessi is staying busier and utilizing his kicks effectively.
FOXSports.com sees it 10-9 Makdessi.
Round 2
Watson comes out more aggressive in the second round, but he is getting countered with hooks as he rushes in. Makdessi continues to find success with his flashy kicks as he circles around and patiently picks his spots standing. Makdessi lands a nice straight cross with seconds left in the round.
Another 10-9 round for the 25-year-old French-Canadian fighter.
Round 3
Watson is becoming more desperate as he clinches up and pursues a takedown to no avail. Makdessi separates and connects with a beautiful spinning back fist that knocks Watson out cold. The crowd goes wild. Watson remains unconscious on the mat for several minutes before he is helped out of the octagon.
John Makdessi def. Kyle Watson via KO (spinning back fist) at 1:27, Round 3
Pablo Garza (11-1) vs. Yves Jabouin (15-7)
Round 1
Jabouin and Garza engage in a brief feeling-out process with Jabouin maintaining an aggressive pace, landing an assortment of knees and kicks that drop Garza on multiple occasions and cause the massive live crowd to erupt. Garza engages in a clinch and jumps up for a flying triangle choke. Jabouin resists momentarily before submitting at the 4:31 mark of the opening stanza.
Pablo Garza def. Yves Jabouin via submission (triangle choke) at 4:31, Round 1
