UFC 129 saw the Ultimate Fighting Championship return to Canada for it's first event in Toronto. Two UFC champions would defend their titles against hungry number 1 contenders, whilst MMA legend Randy 'The Natural' Couture would fight his final fight in a dream bout against the Karate Kid, Lyoto Machida.

UFC Welterweight Champion, No. 1 P4P fighter and Canadian superstar Georges St-Pierre returned to his home country to defend the title against the former Strikerforce Welterweight Champion Jake Shields, who was entering the bout on a 15 fight, 6 year long winning streak. Shields was considered the best ground submission specialist in the 170lb division, having compiled victories over Yushin Okami, Carlos Condit, Paul Daley, Jason 'Mayhem' Miller and Dan Henderson, as well as a more controversial decision in his first UFC bout against Martin Kampmann.
The champ, on the other hand, was entering on a 8 fight winning streak that had seen him steamroll elite contenders like Jon Fitch, Thiago Alves and Josh Koscheck, as well as dismantle former Welterweight Champions BJ Penn, Matt Serra and Matt Hughes. The fight was essentially the Strikefore 170lb champ and the UFC 170lb champ to determine the Undisputed Welterweight Champion, but although it looked like it could be explosive, the fight was unusually uneventful for a GSP bout. Nevertheless, Toronto saw the victor rightfully prove he is the best welterweight in the world, although a classic like St-Pierre vs. Fitch this was not.

The second title bout on the card featured UFC featherweight phenom and P4P contender Jose Aldo make his highly anticipated debut as he defended his 145lb strap against heavy handed striker Mark Hominick. In a true war that showed both guys have the heart and determination to be championship-worthy fighters, this went down as the Fight of the Night.

Other bouts on the card featured Vladimir Matyushenko vs. Jason Brilz in a quick bout that leaves a lasting impression, Ben Henderson makes his return after losing the WEC 155lb title to Antony Petis, and has a good performance against Canadian fighter Mark Boceck.

But it is the final fight in the career of the legend, 5-time multi-division UFC champion Randy Couture, that will be undoubtedly the most memorable for its sudden, destructive conclusion as the ultimate underdog tries to do the impossible one final time against the elusive, sniper-like Lyoto 'The Dragon' Machida. Machida was entering on a 2 fight losing streak after dropping the UFC Light Heavyweight title to Shogun, before losing a somewhat controversial decision to Quinton Jackson. With the Karate Kid having something to prove, and Couture saying his fairwells with his fists in the Octagon, this was one to remember.

Overall the event was solid, though not at the same level as UFC 83. Machida and Couture have a great fight with a highlight reel conclusion, Aldo and Hominick fight with everything they have in a gritty display by both warriors, but unfortunately the main event drops the score a little as St-Pierre and Shields went the distance in a much-hyped but ultimately disappointing title bout.

7/10