UFC 129 Fight Card: Early Main Card Breakdown and Predictions

UFC 129 has one of the best main cards so far this year and the predictions for these bouts is about as tough as they come.

The card features two former UFC champions, a former top light heavyweight contender, a former WEC lightweight champion and two current UFC champions. Not to mention a title contender on a 15-fight win streak.

Like it was said before, this is about as tough as they come when each fighter on the card is a top fighter, or former top fighter, in their respective divisions.

Now here they are, an early breakdown and predictions for UFC 129.

Mark Bocek vs. Ben Henderson

Lightweight Bout

Mark Bocek (9-3 MMA, 5-3 UFC)

Seven wins by submission, one by knockout, one by decision

One loss by knockout, one by submission, one by decision

Ben Henderson (12-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC)

Eight wins by submission, two by knockout, two by decision

One loss by submission, one by decision

Breakdown: Both fighters have an equal shot on the ground to pull off a submission victory. By looking at both fighters, it doesn't seem this fight could go the distance. Henderson is coming off a big loss to Anthony Pettis at WEC 53, where he lost the WEC lightweight belt. Bocek, on the other hand, is coming off of a "Submission of the Night" victory against Dustin Hazlett at UFC 124. Henderson is a good fighter though and won't lose his second straight fight, especially not his first in the UFC. This fight could end up being an intense ground match.

Prediction: Henderson by second-round submission

Lyoto Machida vs. Randy Couture

Light Heavyweight Bout

Lyoto Machida (16-2 MMA, 8-2 UFC)

Nine wins by decision, five by knockout, two by submission

One loss by knockout, one by decision

Randy Couture (19-10 MMA, 16-7 UFC)

Eight wins by decision, seven by knockout, four by submission

Five losses by knockout, four by submission, one by decision

Breakdown: Looking at this fight you would say Machida has this fight by a long. In the words of Lee Corso, "Not so fast my friend." Couture does have a good shot at beating Machida. Call me crazy but it's a huge possibility. Couture has the edge on the ground and after seeing two wrestlers get a victory at UFC Fight Night 24, one of them getting a win over another light heavyweight Brazilian, Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, wrestling seems like the Achilles heel to Machida's Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Machida will be able to keep this fight standing and Couture is much too slow to hit the ever-so-elusive, Machida. Machida is on a two-fight losing streak and could be in a do-or-die fight at UFC 129. This fight goes the distance.

Prediction: Machida by Unanimous Decision

Vladimir Matyushenko vs. Jason Brilz

Light Heavyweight Bout

Vladimir Matyushenko (25-5 MMA, 6-3 UFC)

Ten wins by decision, eight by knockout, seven by submission

Three losses by knockout, two by decision

Jason Brilz (18-3-1 MMA, 3-2 UFC)

Nine wins by submission, five by knockout, four by decision

Two losses by decision, one by submission

Breakdown: Matyushenko will give Brilz a handful as he normally does with any fighter. Matyushenko is a good tough fighter, a win here and he could sneak up on the UFC's light heavyweight division to give problems to its upcoming fighters. Matyushenko will give him a tough time standing, and will be able to keep the fight standing.

Prediction: Matyushenko by third-round TKO

Jose Aldo vs. Mark Hominick

Featherweight Championship Bout

Jose Aldo, Defending Champion, (18-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC)

12 wins by knockout, four by decision, two by submission

One loss by submission

Mark Hominick (20-8 MMA, 3-0 UFC)

Nine wins by knockout, seven by submission, four by decision

Five losses by submission, two by knockout, one by decision

Breakdown: I think this one is pretty much a no-brainer seeing as Aldo holds an advantage in pretty much each area although we haven't seen all too much of his ground game. But Hominick is arguably the best striker Aldo has faced in his career. Aldo hasn't lost since 2005, and in his first UFC title defense and UFC fight, will put on a show for the fans and retain his title.

Prediction: Aldo by second-round TKO

Georges St-Pierre vs. Jake Shields

Welterweight Championship Bout

Georges St-Pierre, Defending Champion, (21-2 MMA, 15-2 UFC)

Eight wins by knockout, eight by decision, five by submission

One loss by knockout, one by submission

Jake Shields (26-4-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC)

13 wins by decision, ten by submission, three by knockout

Three losses by decision, one by knockout

Breakdown: On the ground, it's pretty close, but I would give a very, very slight edge to GSP.  Standing up though, GSP has a nice advantage over Shields, though. GSP is a nice well-rounded fighter and won't be a victim to the underdog in this fight. Although no one is giving Shields a shot, he has won his last 15 fights. Shields will give GSP a run for his money in this fight, but this is basically home-field advantage for GSP in Toronto. GSP is 8-0 in his home country of Canada, 2-0 in UFC events held there. GSP wins the fight by decision.

Prediction: GSP by Unanimous Decision