UFC 129 Fight Card: Early Predictions for Every Fight

The already sold out Toronto card has a bunch of great main card fights ready to dazzle the pay-per-view crowd.

Two championship bouts with the two of the top three, pound-for-pound fighters in the world grace the main card in Toronto.

Not to mention two former UFC champions squaring off in a bout between light heavyweights, Randy Couture and Lyoto Machida. That bout could bump up one of them into contender status in the light heavyweight division and could be the last fight for Couture. But we always say that so, you never know.

Here it is, early UFC 129 predictions for each fight. 

Preliminary Fights

Nate Diaz vs. Rory MacDonald

Prediction: Nate Diaz

Spike TV Airing

Sean Pierson vs. Jake Ellenberger

Prediction: Jake Ellenberger

Spike TV Airing

Claude Patrick vs. Daniel Roberts

Prediction: Daniel Roberts

Ivan Menjivar vs. Charlie Valencia

Prediction: Ivan Menjivar

Jason MacDonald vs. Ryan Jensen

Prediction: Jason MacDonald

John Makdessi vs. Kyle Watson

Prediction: John Makdessi

Yves Jabouin vs. Pablo Garza

Prediction: Pablo Garza

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: If you're looking for two great ground specialists, here you go. Bocek and Henderson combine for 21 wins. Out of those 21 wins, they combine for 15 wins by submission. It will be tough either way for these two to pull a submission off on each other and could see the end of the bout coming to a decision. Bocek is coming off of a "Submission of the Night" victory over Dustin Hazlett, but Henderson is coming off a WEC lightweight tile fight where he lost his belt to Anthony "Showtime" Pettis. Henderson should be able to regain what he once had and ride out for a victory.

Prediction: Henderson by unanimous decision 

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: Couture is a master strategist and will give Machida a fit. Machida's elusiveness and ability should be able to beat Couture. But, Couture comes in very prepared for each fight, and Machida will have to work very hard and outstrike Couture. Couture will try to work his clinch game on Machida, that's if he can get a handle on Machida. Machida will be able to keep the distance and ride out Couture for the decision victory. It's a very important fight for Machida who is on a two-fight losing streak and facing expulsion from the UFC.

Prediction: Machida by unanimous decision

Vladimir Matyushenko vs. Jason Brilz

Light Heavyweight Bout

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

10 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: Both Matyushenko and Brilz are tough fighters. Matyushenko has one thing to do and that's keep the fight standing. Matyushenko is coming off of a first round knockout win of Alexandre Ferreira at UFC 122. Brilz on the other hand is coming off of a split decision loss to Little Nog and is 2-2 in his last four fights—all of which went to a decision. Matyushenko should be able to keep this fight standing and end Brilz night before the final bell.

Prediction: Matyushenko by third round TKO

Mark Hominick vs. Jose Aldo

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: To many people Hominick is just fighting for respect. Hominick is going up a top three, pound-for-pound in the world fighter in Aldo. What people don't realize, or the casual fan doesn't realize, is Hominick is probably the best striker Aldo has yet faced. Hominick is the type of fighter who likes to utilize more then just head strikes and likes to work the body as well, which is as equally effective if done enough. With that said, Hominick probably won't get past Aldo as Aldo is a very talented striker and has shown more then enough ability so far to help get him the edge in this breakdown.

Prediction: Aldo by second-round TKO

Jake Shields vs. Georges St-Pierre

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: Shields has a distinct edge in BJJ over GSP, and if the fight goes to the ground, Shields has a great chance at winning this fight. GSP should be able to keep this fight standing and knock around Shields. This fight is a lot closer then people think. Both fighters are on impressive win streaks and will put on a show for the fans.

Prediction: GSP by unanimous decision