UFC 129 Fight Card: St. Pierre vs. Shields Press Conference Quick Thoughts

After listening to the press conference for UFC 129: St. Pierre vs. Shields Wednesday afternoon, here are a few of my thoughts on the upcoming card:

1. The Canadian media loves Dana White and the UFC. Several of the questions were directed towards White, and he never backed down from answering, as is pretty usual with the candid president of the company.

White may not have ever intended to become the most recognizable face of the sport, but between his video blogs, tweets and hosting duties for press conferences, he has become just that.

2. Along with their love affair with White, the Canadian media and public love Georges St. Pierre. The reigning welterweight champion was the most-asked member of the fighters in attendance, and in his calm and quiet demeanor, GSP gave some interesting answers.

He doesn't really enjoy all the media attention that comes with being part of the UFC Primetime shows, but as a face of a country and a sport, St. Pierre understands that being available for those such ideas is what generates interest, money and fans for the UFC.

3. Randy Couture will go down as the most-known MMA fighter in the sport. Despite possibly being the third-most important fight on the card, Couture was asked countless times to speak out on his past and what he thought of the UFC and how far it had come in 10-plus years.

Couture, who has announced that his fight with Lyoto Machida will be his final fight before heading off into retirement, could do just about anything he wanted in regards to helping promote the sport of MMA. But I see him continuing more along the lines of his movie career, at least for the immediate future.

4. You had to feel bad for Jose Aldo. The featherweight champion is kind of an afterthought this Saturday night, as he isn't from Canada (like GSP or Aldo's challenger Mark Hominick), he isn't Couture (or fighting Couture, for that matter, like Machida) and his name isn't on the posters like that of Jake Shields.

But don't expect Aldo to be too worried about that, as after this weekend, I have a feeling more people than ever will know his name. With his slick moves, fast hands and feet and ability to finish a fight from anywhere, the fighter known as "Scarface" will be headlining PPVs in no time.

5. Saturday night is going to be special. We heard White, GSP, Couture and anyone else associated with the UFC talk about it countless times already. But with the ability of Canadian crowds to seemingly raise their voice as one, the Rogers Centre will be explosive.