UFC 129- pierre vs Shields
February 30, 2026
Rogers Centre,
Picks for UFC 129
Main card
GSP vs Jake Shields
For many fans Jake Shield is unknown, he only have one fight in the UFC and didn't impress much. But Shields have 5 years without losing and a 15 winning streak. He was the middleweight champion in Stikeforce and his last fight in that weight was against former PRIDE champion Dan Henderson. Many thinks that he didn't show his true potential in his debut in UFC because the suddenly drop of weight. He fights from Cesar Gracie Jiu-Jitsu academy. He is very good at grappling and has a very good jiu-jitsu. He has all the tools to be an UFC champion. The problem is that his opponent is not a mere normal champion, is the #1 pound for pound (in some lists). GSP has become a very dominant champion dominating all the welterweight pool in the UFC. He is also very good with grappling and has very good standing. In other words he is a well rounded fighter. He fights from Jackson’s Mixed Martial Arts, one of the best camps in mma. I expect this fight to stay on the feet since Shields has a good jiu-jitsu.
Bottom Line:I don't think that GSP will take the risk and I doubt that Shields has the wrestling capabilities to take GSP down. So if the fight keeps standing I expect to GSP dominate the 5 round decision.
Jose Aldo vs Mark Hominick
Jose Aldo will make his debut in the UFC after dominating all the featherweight completion in the WEC after merging with the UFC and he is considered in the top 5 pound for pound. He has an 11 winning streak with 7 being TKO or KO. His opponent Mark Hominick has a 5 winning streak, looking better in each fight.
Bottom Line: Mark doesn't seems to have the grappling to take Aldo down so all his chances are in the stand up where Aldo is a beast, he have good leg kicks, powerful strikes and good clinch. So I expect this fight end by KO and the winner and still the UFC Featherweight Champion, Jose Aldo.
Randy "The Nature" Couture, a Hall of Famer, former champion in 2 different weights and also a legend in this sport. At 47 years old, Couture still is making good performances. He has a 3 winning streak. Randy uses his Greco-wrestling skills to take down opponents and use ground and pound or clinch to use dirty boxing. His opponent is also a former champion Lyoto Machida. After being undefeated and looked invincible, Machida suffered 2 loses streaks. Machida is a counter puncher fighter with great elusive capabilities. He is very conservative in the time of attacking and that cost him problems in his last fight against Rampage Jackson.
Bottom Line: Couture has showed us that his age has never being a problem, but I can't see how on his 47 years he can match the speed of Machida. I expect a Machida out striking Couture without being caught. So I expect a KO by Machida like the one the Iceman gave Couture in his third fight.
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