UFC 129 Predictions

Main Card:

Welterweight Championship: Georges St-Pierre (c) vs. Jake Shields

Featherweight Championship: Jose Aldo (c) vs. Mark Hominick

Light Heavyweight: Randy Couture vs. Lyoto Machida

Light Heavyweight: Vladimir Matyushenko vs. Jason Brilz

Lightweight: Mark Bocek vs. Ben Henderson

Shawn's Predictions:

Mark Bocek vs. Ben Henderson: Henderson via Decision

Being a former champion, Henderson is attempting to bounce back from a loss to new LW contender Anthony Pettis and his devastating flying kick off of the fence. Meanwhile, Bocek is trying to climb his way to the top of the LW ranks while proving, what he thinks to be, the best BJJ practitioner in the LW division. There is no doubt Bocek will be looking for submissions, but Henderson should be comfortable taking him down because he is almost submission proof. I think Henderson will use his superior striking to pick his spots and set up takedowns, and from there try to work submissions or ground and pound. I wouldn't be surprised if Henderson finished this with a sub or KO/TKO, but I think Bocek is too tough. Expect Bendo to use his superior striking and wrestling on his way to a decision victory.

Vladimir Matyushenko vs. Jason Brilz: Brilz via Decision

I think this fight will come down to who has more in the gas tank. "The Janitor" Matyushenko is getting old and I don't think he has much left to show. On the other hand, Brilz is coming off of a hard-fought loss to Antônio Rogério Nogueira which he deserves much credit for. This is clearly a battle between wrestlers, and I think Brilz will have more in his tank and will prove tougher than old Vlad. Expect Brilz to use his wrestling to win a fairly one sided decision.

Randy Couture vs. Lyoto Machida: Machida via Decision

Coming off of two loses, Machida needs to take home another victory. Unfortunately, I don't think this fight will be a cake-walk for him. Although Couture is almost as old as my own father, he's still got it. You can that when he fights, he still has the passion and drive to preform well. This, along with experience and his toughness can give him an edge. The game plans for each fighter are somewhat obvious for this bout, as Couture will probably use his wrestling to either take Machida down or get him up against the cage and pressure the Dragon with dirty boxing. Machida will try to circle around, and use his effective karate counter punching to score points and hurt Couture. I wont be surprised if Machida finishes the "Natural" (ex. Rashad Evans), but I think Couture is too tough and I wont expect Machida to let his hands go as freely has he has in the past. Machida will use his effective counter striking to wear down Couture and put him in spots where he has trouble being aggressive and getting control of Machida. The pick is Machida by decision

Jose Aldo (c) vs. Mark Hominick: Aldo via TKO

Expect this fight to be fireworks, as both guys are nuts enough to stand with one another. Both featherweights are known for finishing their opponents in a dominant fashion and that's what will make this fight so interesting. I'm not sure what Hominick's game plan is, in fact, I don't know what anybody's gameplan for fighting Aldo would be, but I think it will be very difficult for Hominick to win this fight. Aldo will do what he usually does and use his leg kicks very effectively. Eventually, Aldo will prove too much for Hominick and the Canadian will be worn out. Aldo will go in for the kill, hurt Hominick and will have to have to ref pull him off of the hometown hero, thereby upsetting about 55,000 canucks as Aldo will retain his title winning the fight via TKO.

Georges St-Pierre (c) vs. Jake Shields: St-Pierre via TKO

Arguably the two best welterweights in the world are finally facing off. Shields has gone unbeaten in his last 15 fights, and this is his chance to prove he is the best welterweight in the world. Unfortunately for him, it will not be easy, as GSP is standing in his way. Both fighters are very similar, as they both have great wrestling and are decent in other areas. While GSP has an large advantage on the stand-up and the wrestling game, Shields has an advantage as he is a world class BJJ practitioner. The media has been hyping his ground game for a while, but to be honest, I think it is highly overrated. This fight starts on the feet of course, so their is a slight possibility we will never see his ground game, but I doubt it. When the bout kicks off, GSP will show that he has far superior striking, by picking his spots (ex. Jabs to Koscheck) taking Shields down. At the same time, Shields will be looking for the perfect time to take down GSP, as he probably isn't as confident with his striking. If he gets GSP on his back, he will look to pass to mount and look for submissions, but it will not be easy. I expect GSP to push the pace, keep the fight standing for a little, take Shields down a couple times, and drop Shields while standing and trading. GSP will pounce on Shields and finish him, retaining his championship.

*Yes I know this is a bold prediction, but I dreamt that GSP TKO'd Shields, so I'm stickin' with it.

Vinny's Predictions:

Mark Bocek vs. Ben Henderson: Henderson via Dec
Vladimir Matyushenko vs Jason Brilz: Brilz via Sub
Randy Couture vs. Lyoto Machida: Machida via TKO
Jose Aldo (c) vs. Mark Hominick: Aldo via TKO
Georges St-Pierre (c) vs. Jake Shields: St-Pierre via TKO