All I have to say is UFC 129 is going to be one of the biggest events in MMA history because (1) there’s over 55,000+ fans watching it live in Toronto, and (2) MMA has been the most popular it’s ever been. Definitely don’t miss this because everyone is going to want to shine during this amazing event.

» Don’t forget to leave your UFC 129 Predictions

1. Georges St. Pierre vs. Jake Shields (UFC Championship Fight)

2. Jose Aldo vs. Mark Hominick (UFC Championship Fight)

3. Randy Couture vs. Lyoto Machida

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The time is now for the biggest UFC fight in company history, literally. Over 55,000+ will witness the largest MMA event in North American history for UFC 129. There’s 10 Canadian fighters fighting in front of them home-country fans, so I see the atmosphere being electric and very, very loud. If there’s any event you’d want your friends to see to get excited about MMA — this would be a great event to hopefully do that.

1. Jake Shields will shock the world again…like he always does.

Jake Shields is going to surprise everyone. I was initially thinking Georges St. Pierre was going to win this fight easily, but something in my gut really changed my mind. It really comes down to Jake Shields overwhelmingly better Brazilian Jui-Jitsu ground game. GSP’s wrestling and striking may be better than Shields, but it only takes one mistake to turn it all around. Shields is going to see that one mistake and he’ll capitalize like he always does. And when that moment comes, the crowd is going to be in shock.

Prediction: Jake Shields over Georges St. Pierre via submission

2. Jose Aldo cancel out Hominick’s strength with his own striking

Mark Hominick definitely has a puncher’s chance to catch Jose Aldo during this fight. His hands are fast and very precise, so if Aldo doesn’t keep the pressure on — I can see Hominick doing some damage. Although, I don’t see Aldo letting up at all. I actually see him pushing the fight like we’ve never seen him before and stifling Hominick’s striking with overwhelming pressure.

Prediction: Jose Aldo over Mark Hominick via TKO

3. Randy Couture shows why he’s still a top 10 Light Heavyweight

The key for Randy Couture in this fight is to get close to Lyoto Machida and stick to him like glue. On the other hand, Machida’s key to this fight is to keep his distance and cause disruptive striking by keeping the distance. Whoever is able to overwhelming fight his game is going to come out on top. With that said, I think Couture is going to implement his game better than Machida will — like he always does.

Prediction: Randy Couture over Lyoto Machida via decision

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UFC 129 is going to be the largest MMA event in North America holding over 55,000+, and it’s going to be in Rogers Centra at Toronto, Canada. Being that there’s 10 Canadian MMA fighters on the UFC 129 card, I think it’s due to show what Canada has been able to produce for MMA. The following are the best Canadian MMA fighters of all-time:

10. Chris Horodecki — Lightweight (16-3)

Chris Horodecki is a young MMA fighter coming out of Canada who’s already made a big splash both in the IFL and the WEC. Look for him to do more damage in the future since he’s only 23 years old.

Notable Wins: Bart Palaszewski, Danny Downes, Ed Ratcliff

9. Jason MacDonald — Middleweight (24-14)

Jason MacDonald helped represent the Canadian flag during the early days of MMA in the MFC and the UFC. This MMA veteran has been able to keep himself relevant in the MMA game and will continue his second stint in the UFC.

Notable Wins: Bill Mahood, Joe Doerksen, Chris Leben, Vernon White

8. Denis Kang — Middleweight (34-12-2-2)

Denis Kang has built his MMA resume over seas in Japan. Considered one of the most underrated fighters coming out of Canada, he’s a Brazilian Jui-Jitsu blackbelt with heavy hands. He hasn’t been able to get the wild success he’s had in the past here in the States, but he continues to string along wins.

Notable Wins: Murilo Rua, Akihiro Gono, Marvin Eastman

7. Sam Stout — Lightweight (16-6-1)

Sam Stout always brings the fight, and never backs down to anyone. When you come to watch “Hands of Stone” he’s going to put on a show, where he’s won 5 UFC Fight of the Night bonuses. During his UFC career, he’s had some great wins over top contenders and looks to climb the mountain again.

Notable Wins: Matt Wiman, Joe Lauzon, Paul Taylor

6. Carlos Newton — Welterweight (15-14)

Carlos Newton is one of those MMA fighters who’s fought all the best fighters during his era and always put on a good fight. Newton has dubbed his personal fighting style— a combination of traditional Jujutsu, Judo and Wrestling —”Dragon Ball Jujutsu”. 

Notable Wins: Pat Militich, Renzo Gracie, Shonie Carter

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UFC basically put on a telethon for the troops with UFC Fight for the Troops 2 and rightly so. This was a great event for the UFC and the armed forces. Sometimes folks forget what our troops are doing for us oversees and bringing it to the light is good. Mix in some fights here and there, you know it all goes to a good cause.

1. Melvin Guillard has finally put it all together

Speed kills. Melvin Guillard was a whole different speed than Evan Dunham. The reach wasn’t a factor at all in this fight since Guillard was able to easily counter and get in whenever he wanted to. Dunham just didn’t have the answers to Guillard and he paid the price for that. He wanted to get the fight to the ground, but Guillard was poised to keep it standing. From there, he was able to knock Dunham out with some devastating knees — bring on the Lightweights, there’s a new contender in town.

(-1) Prediction: Evan Dunham over Melvin Guillard

2. Matt Mitrione’s athleticism kills

It ceases to amaze me. Every single time I see Matt Mitrione, he gets better and better. I think it’s due to his athleticism and Tim Hague couldn’t handle it. He’s also been learning a lot at the Duke Ruffus camp with Pat Barry and Anthony Pettis. His striking looks crisp, and when he needs to finish — he finishes. What more do you want from a fighter? I’d like to see him face more legit Heavyweights moving forward.

(+1) Prediction: Matt Mitrione over Tim Hague

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UFC tries their best to give back, especially to the troops and UFC Fight for the Troops 2 is one of many ways they do that. I was really excited about this card when they announced it with Kenny Florian vs. Evan Dunham, and after a ton of injuries — the card has definitely morphed into something different. Things happen, and sometimes it happens for a reason. I’m excited about this card on Saturday and here are my picks.

1. Evan Dunham will shine with an impressive submission

On paper, everyone feels that Evan Dunham is just the superior fighter all around against Melvin Guillard. I too think Evan Dunham will pull this off, but not as convincingly as others. Guillard is an explosive fighter and, as of late,  he’s been using his wrestling more and more in order to win the fight. Behind the gameplan of Greg Jackson, there still sits a dynamic fighter in Guillard and I think you’ll see that against Dunham. I just think Dunham has the striking and reach advantage, along with a sick ground game. He comes to fight and he’ll show the world why there’s so much hype around him in the Lightweight Division.

Prediction: Evan Dunham over Melvin Guillard via submission

2. Matt Mitrione just has too much athleticism

Matt Mitrione has shown a lot of promise with his last couple of fights, but he’s going against a fighter in Tim Hague who’s already beaten his teammate Pat Barry. Mitrione is more athletic, and has seemed to absorb the MMA game naturally. Too bad he didn’t do it earlier in life. Hague doesn’t seem to pose too many problems other than being a really tough guy, but if he’s able to take Mitrione down — it may be a different story. That said, I have Mitrione winning by TKO due to athleticism.

Prediction: Matt Mitrione over Tim Hague via TKO

3. Mark Hominick’s striking will clearly be on another level

Mark Hominick is a striker that keeps his hands high knows when to pick his shots accordingly. George Roop is going to try to take it to Hominick, but he will realize that this fight is on a totally different level than his last fight with the Korean Zombie. Hominick is fighting for a title shot, and you can be damn sure that he’s not going to let this one go.

Prediction: Mark Hominick over George Roop via decision

4. Pat Barry will throw a cringing amount of leg kicks

The problem here is that Joey Beltran is a striker and has somewhat limited wrestling skills, while Pat Barry is a top-level striker who’s competed in K-1 and other kickboxing competitions. If this ends up as a standup war, Barry will pick Beltran apart and it will not end well. Just think the Thiago Alves vs. John Howard, but on a whole different level.

Prediction: Pat Barry over Joey Beltran via TKO

5. Cole Miller will represent ATT proud again!

I’m a Cole Miller fan, and I think everyone knows it. He’s a mixed martial artist to the core. Nothing against Matt Wiman, but I feel Miller will be able to keep him at bay with his length on the feet — then eventually take it to the ground where he’ll be able to snap on a submission. I see the finish going down in the 2nd round.

Prediction: Cole Miller over Matt Wiman via submission

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QUESTION: What are your predictions for UFC Fight for the Troops 2?