UFC 129 Fight Card: Jose Aldo Gets His Opportunity to Shine at UFC 129

While one UFC champion shines brightly in the spotlight this weekend, another UFC champion waits in the shadows, as he eagerly awaits to make his long awaited debut. 

UFC featherweight champion, Jose Aldo looks to defend his title against Mark Hominick at UFC 129, a bout which Aldo said was frustrating to prepare for. 

"I was very anxious," Aldo said to Ariel Helwani of MMAFighting.com through his translator, Ed Soares. "It was a dream of mine, my whole life, to fight in the UFC and when I was injured I had to pull out, but what I just kept telling myself was, 'I am in the event, I am the champ and I knew at any moment I would have the opportunity to make my debut'."

Aldo was originally scheduled to make his UFC debut in March, however an injury forced him to withdraw. Meanwhile his opponent, Mark Hominick, would emerge as the number one contender for Aldo's title after defeating George Roop at "UFC: Fight For The Troops 2" in January. 

Prior to being acquired by the UFC, after a WEC-UFC merger, Aldo was nothing short of spectacular, as he dominated the WEC featherweight division on route to capturing the WEC featherweight title. A victory over Hominick would give Aldo his fourth successful title defense. Although he will be going into hostile territory, as the crowd in attendance will be rooting for the London, Ontario native, Aldo is not phased by his opponent's home field advantage. 

"It's not a problem at all," he said. "I fought Urijah [Faber] in his hometown and the way I go into a fight, I take the energy out of my opponent, the local guy. I feel I can do just as good."

And to credit Aldo's recent dominance, odds makers have listed Hominick almost a 5-1 underdog against the Brazilian. Both are notorious strikers, who present different styles to one another, and Aldo is excited to compete. And in this potential slugfest, it just might take one shot from either man to end the fight.

"Both Mark and I are strikers and we look forward and attack," Aldo said. "We'll each do our own game, but whoever has a softer head will fall."

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