UFC 129 Fight Card Preview

Jason MacDonald vs. Ryan Jensen

UFC 129 middleweight showdown will be the fight to start off the night. Both fighters are coming off a loss. Notably Ryan Jensen’s loss comes from Ultimate Fighter contender Court McGee from Ogden, Utah.
Both fighters are strong on the ground. MacDonald’s 24 wins, 18 came by submission, contrast similarly Jensen’s 15 wins, 10 were by submission.

Claude Patrick vs, Daniel Roberts
A welterweight’s streak will come to an end. Nick named “The Prince”, Claude Patrick is going into the octagon with 12 straight wins with a record of 13-1-0. With a similar record of 12-1-0, Daniel Roberts is entering the fight with 3 straight victories.
Patrick will mostly likely push the action with his style ( BJJ & Muay Thai) but Roberts southpaw stance (BJJ & Wrestling) could play a factor with counters.

Ivan Menjivar vs. Charlie Valencia
Bantamweight journeymen clash in the third bout both fighters are coming into UFC 129 with a loss. Ivan Menjivar with a record of 21-8-0 will be taking on the challenger Charlie Valencia with a record of 12-6-0.
Bantamweight yields high energy fighters, Menjivar’s 21 wins, 8 were (T)Kos, Valenica will have his hands full.

Pablo Garza vs. Yves Jabouin
On paper this Flyweight fight looks to be action packed. Pablo Garza and Yves Jabouin are hungry for their second win. Impressively Garza’s last fight with Fredson Paixao ended in round 1 with :51 seconds left in the round with a flying knee.
Jabouin will most likely want to go toe to toe with Garza. Jabouin’s 15 wins, 11 came by (T)KOs.

Sean Pierson vs. Jake Ellenberger
Welterweight ground warfare in the 5th match. Sean Pierson is an all-around fighter, 11 wins only one came to a decision. Pierson is a Greco-Roman wrestler and a purple belt in BJJ.
Jake “The Juggernaut” Ellenberger the more experience fighter with 24 wins and 15 of those were (T)KOs. Ellenberger is a wrestler and a blue belt in BJJ.


Kyle Watson vs. John Makdessi
Lightweight pursuits. Kyle Watson, 10 of his 13 wins were by submissions who is now going for his 6th straight win. His last win was by unanimous decision.
John Makdessi is going for his undefeated 9th straight victory, who is also coming off a unanimous decision.

Rory MacDonald vs. Nate Diaz
Welterweights matched up. Both Rory MacDonald and Nate Diaz are coming off a loss. And both MacDonald and Diaz are BJJ and Boxers.
Diaz is known to have heart and excellent BJJ. With only 8 fight difference between them MacDonald only has one loss, the two young fighters will bang.

Vladimir Matyushenko vs. Jason Brilz
Light heavyweight Janitor and Hitman fight in the 8th bout. Valdimire “The Janitor” Matyushenko at 40 years old is coming off a win to battle Jason “The Hitman” Brilz (35 years old) who is coming off a loss.
Both fighters are wrestling emphasized but don’t be surprised if the match ends with strikes especially from Matyushenko (his last win coming from (T)KO strikes) but Brilz learned a lot from Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, the split decision loss.

Benson Henderson vs. Mark Bocek
Lightweight mixed martial arts contest. Black Korean American fighter Benson Henderson (12-2) coming off a loss is a black belt in Taekwondo and brown belt in BJJ.
Representing Canada Mark Bocek (9-3) is coming off a win (by submission) is a black belt in BJJ and a black belt in Kempo.

Randy Couture vs. Lyoto Machida
Light heavyweight spectacle. Age 47 Randy Couture (19-10) will fight his last fight at UFC 129 going for his 4th straight victory to finish out his legendary career, but his opponent Lyoto Machida (age 32 record 16-2) who is coming off 2 straight controversial losses (Mauricio Rua & Quinton Jackson) looks to get back on the title track.
Machida is currently ranked #4 light heavyweight fighter in the world by Sherdog & Yahoo Sports. Couture is ranked at #10 by Yahoo Sports.



UFC FEATHERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Jose Aldo vs. Mark Hominick
Contender Mark Hominck (20-8) is going for his 6th straight victory to retain his featherweight title. His 20 wins, 9 were (T)KOs, 7 by submission and 4 went to decisions. And 8 of his losses came by submission.
Young Champion Jose Aldo (18-1) is starting to top more and more best of lists, defending his championship belt with 11 straight victories. Aldo’s 18 wins, 12 were (T)KOs, 2 by submission and 4 came by decision. Aldo’s only loss was by submission. Ranked by Sherdog Aldo is #1 in the featherweight division and #3 Pound-For-Pound fighter. This fight looks to be high octane with toe to toe action.

UFC WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
George St. Pierre vs. Jake Shields
These welterweights need no introduction. Five times defending champion George St. Pierre’s (21-2) belt is on the line again.
Jake Shields’ (26-4-1) title shot comes following 15 straight wins. Shields is either tough or fight opponents that aren’t tough enough. Shields’ 26 wins, 3 were (T)KOs. 10 by submission and 13 came by decisions.
Coming off an 8 victory streak, GSP should expose Shields’ weakness in finishing an opponent. GSP has great wrestling that grinds fighters leaving them very tired. And recently, GSP showcased his ability to strike versus Josh Koscheck courtesy of new hands trainer Freddy Roach.

HL