UFC 129
{{short description|UFC mixed martial arts event in 2011}}
{{Infobox MMA event
|name=UFC 129: St-Pierre vs. Shields
|image=Ufc-129-poster.jpg
|promotion=Ultimate Fighting Championship
|date=April 30, 2011
|venue=Rogers Centre
|city=Toronto, Ontario, Canada
|attendance= 55,724{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/news/23448/ufc-129-sets-attendance-and-live-gate-records-55724-for-12-1-million.mma|title=UFC 129 sets attendance and live-gate records: 55,724 for $12.1 million|work=MMAjunkie.com |last=Stupp |first=Dann |author-link=Dann Stupp |date=May 1, 2011 |access-date=July 1, 2011}}
|buyrate=800,000http://mmapayout.com/blue-book/pay-per-view/ {{Dead link|date=February 2022}}
|previousevent= UFC Fight Night: Nogueira vs. Davis
|followingevent= UFC 130: Rampage vs. Hamill
}}
UFC 129: St-Pierre vs. Shields was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on Saturday, April 30, 2011 at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.{{cite web|url=http://www.ufc.com/event/UFC129#/fight|title=UFC 129: St-Pierre vs. Shields|publisher=ufc.com|date=January 20, 2011}}
Background
The event was the sixth that the UFC has hosted in Canada and the first sanctioned mixed martial arts event in Ontario since the sport was legalized in the province in August 2010.{{cite web|url=http://www.mmafighting.com/2011/03/30/ontarios-first-sanctioned-mma-event-set-for-saturday/ |title=Ontario's First Sanctioned MMA Event Set for Saturday |publisher=mmafighting.com|date=March 30, 2011}}
The Toronto event was originally titled UFC 131 by the promotion, but later changed to UFC 129 as its early 2011 schedule started to fall more firmly into place.{{cite web|url=http://mmaweekly.com/ufcs-toronto-debut-re-dubbed-ufc-129-2011-schedule-falling-in-place |title=UFC's Toronto Debut Re-Dubbed UFC 129; 2011 Schedule Falling In Place |work=MMAWeekly.com|date=December 16, 2010 |last=Pishna |first=Ken |access-date=July 1, 2011}}
Image:UFC 129.jpg for UFC 129]]
It was the largest UFC event in North American history{{cite web|url=http://www.fightline.com/fl/news/2010/1207/534499/dana-white/|title=UFC 131 And Fan Expo Weekend Announced For Toronto In April|work=Fightline.com|date=December 7, 2010|first=Raj|last=Giri|access-date=July 1, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711001558/http://www.fightline.com/fl/news/2010/1207/534499/dana-white/|archive-date=July 11, 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://mmaweekly.com/ufc-129-st-pierre-vs-shields-set-for-42000-fans-at-rogers-centre-in-toronto|title=UFC 129: St-Pierre vs. Shields Set For 42,000 Fans at Rogers Centre in Toronto |publisher=mmaweekly.com|date=2011-01-26}} and coincided with a two-day UFC Fan Expo at the Direct Energy Centre.{{cite web|url=http://www.ufc.com/news/Toronto-to-Host-First-Ever-Ontario-Event-on-Apr-30 |title=Toronto To Host First-Ever Ontario Event on April 30 |publisher=ufc.com|date=December 7, 2010}}{{cite web |url=http://mmajunkie.com/news/21653/ufc-131-official-for-april-30-at-rogers-centre-in-toronto.mma |title=UFC 131 official for April 30 at Rogers Centre in Toronto |publisher=mmajunkie.com |date=December 7, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120711115510/http://mmajunkie.com/news/21653/ufc-131-official-for-april-30-at-rogers-centre-in-toronto.mma |archive-date=July 11, 2012 }} UFC officials had originally planned for the Rogers Centre to be configured to hold 42,000 fans for UFC 129. The UFC put those tickets on sale to UFC Fight Club members in a special pre-sale on February 10, 2011, selling nearly all of them. They released and sold more tickets the following day to UFC newsletter subscribers in a second special pre-sale. UFC 129 then sold out when tickets went on sale to the general public on February 12, with officials scrambling to up the number of seats to 55,000.{{cite web|url=http://mmaweekly.com/ufc-129-sold-out-shatters-records-with-55000-tickets |title=UFC 129 Sold Out, Shatters Records With 55,000 Tickets |publisher=MMAWeekly.com|date=February 12, 2011}} Selling out all 55,000 tickets for gate revenues exceeding $11 million,{{cite web|url=http://mmaweekly.com/ufc-129-gate-receipts-total-11-million-eclipse-record |title=UFC 129 Gate Receipts Total $11 Million, Eclipse Record |work=MMAWeekly.com |last=Pishna |first=Ken |date=February 15, 2011 |access-date=July 1, 2011}} the event shatters both MMA attendance and gate records in North America.
John Makdessi was rumored to face Jonathan Brookins at the event; however, Makdessi instead fought Kyle Watson.{{cite web |url=http://mmajunkie.com/news/22055/john-makdessi-meets-kyle-watson-not-jonathan-brookins-at-ufc-129.mma |title=John Makdessi meets Kyle Watson, not Jonathan Brookins, at UFC 129 |work=MMAjunkie.com |date=January 11, 2011 |last=Marrocco |first=Steven |access-date=July 1, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120716184832/http://mmajunkie.com/news/22055/john-makdessi-meets-kyle-watson-not-jonathan-brookins-at-ufc-129.mma |archive-date=July 16, 2012 }}
In a conference call for UFC: Fight For The Troops 2 in January 2011, Dana White confirmed that UFC Featherweight Champion José Aldo would defend his title against Mark Hominick on this card, provided that Hominick defeated George Roop.{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/news/22059/hominick-gets-featherweight-title-shot-with-win-over-roop-at-ufc-fight-night-23.mma|title=Hominick gets Featherweight Title shot with win over Roop at UFC Fight Night 23|work=MMAjunkie.com |date=January 11, 2011 |last=Marrocco |first=Steven |access-date=July 1, 2011}} White also stated that, regardless of the outcome of the Hominick/Roop fight, Aldo would still defend his Featherweight Championship at this event.{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/news/22160/jose-aldo-official-for-ufc-129-slot-four-additional-contests-set-for-toronto.mma|title=Jose Aldo official for UFC 129 slot; four additional contests set for Toronto|publisher=mmajunkie.com|date=January 20, 2010}} Hominick defeated Roop, via first-round TKO, to confirm his place as no. 1 contender, and solidify the bout with Aldo. After the bout, judge Doug Crosby made a mistake scoring the 5th round 10–8 in favor of José Aldo instead of Mark Hominick, making the final tally 50–43 for Aldo. A correction was made after the bout, and the correct score was 48–45 in favor of Aldo.{{cite web |url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/680642-ufc-129-fight-card-preview-notes-quotes-predictions-thoughts-and-more/entry/76413-ufc-129-results-jose-aldos-fifth-round-and-the-mystery-of-the-changing-score |title=UFC 129 Results: Jose Aldo's Fifth Round and the Mystery of the Changing Score |work=BleacherReport.com |last=Olshansky |first=Elliot |date=April 30, 2011 |access-date=July 1, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305024348/http://bleacherreport.com/articles/680642-ufc-129-fight-card-preview-notes-quotes-predictions-thoughts-and-more/entry/76413-ufc-129-results-jose-aldos-fifth-round-and-the-mystery-of-the-changing-score |archive-date=March 5, 2016 }}
Rory MacDonald was expected to face James Wilks at this event, but Wilks was forced from the card, and replaced by Nate Diaz.{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/news/22102/nate-diaz-meets-rory-macdonald-at-ufc-129.mma|title=Nate Diaz meets Rory MacDonald at UFC 129|publisher=mmajunkie.com|date=January 14, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120712102255/http://mmajunkie.com/news/22102/nate-diaz-meets-rory-macdonald-at-ufc-129.mma|archive-date=July 12, 2012}}
On February 11, it was announced that Matt Hamill will no longer fight Phil Davis at this event and will instead fight Quinton Jackson at UFC 130.{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/news/22435/matt-hamill-replaces-thiago-silva-faces-rampage-jackson-at-ufc-130.mma|title=Matt Hamill Replaces Thiago Silva|publisher=mmajunkie.com|date=February 11, 2011}} In a Twitter post, Davis said he was "sorry the fight had been removed from the website, and would be fighting in Toronto regardless."{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/PhilMrWonderful/status/36101676255420417|title=Phil Davis Twitter Response|publisher=Twitter.com|date=February 11, 2011}} Davis was expected to face Jason Brilz{{cite web |url=http://mmajunkie.com/news/22498/phil-davis-gets-jason-brilz-at-ufc-129.mma |title=Jason Brilz and Phil Davis targeted for UFC 129 matchup |work=MMAjunkie.com |last=Marrocco |first=Steven |date=February 16, 2011 |access-date=July 1, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110829112634/http://mmajunkie.com/news/22498/phil-davis-gets-jason-brilz-at-ufc-129.mma |archive-date=August 29, 2011 }} until Tito Ortiz had to pull out of his UFC Fight Night: Seattle fight with Antônio Rogério Nogueira. Davis headlined that event against Nogueira,{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/news/22541/tito-ortiz-out-phil-davis-faces-antonio-rogerio-nogueira-at-ufc-fight-night-24.mma|title=Tito Ortiz out, Phil Davis faces Antônio Rogério Nogueira at UFC Fight Night 24|publisher=mmajunkie.com|date=February 19, 2011}} while Brilz is now expected to fight Vladimir Matyushenko at this event.{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/news/22551/jason-brilz-meets-replacement-vladimir-matyushenko-at-ufc-129-in-toronto.mma|title=Jason Brilz meets replacement Vladimir Matyushenko at UFC 129 in Toronto|work=MMAjunkie.com|last=Stupp|first=Dann|author-link=Dann Stupp|date=February 21, 2011|access-date=July 1, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110907164102/http://mmajunkie.com/news/22551/jason-brilz-meets-replacement-vladimir-matyushenko-at-ufc-129-in-toronto.mma|archive-date=September 7, 2011}}
Brian Foster was expected to face Sean Pierson at this event, but Foster was forced out of the bout after a pre-fight MRI scan showed that Foster had a brain hemorrhage,{{cite web|url=http://mmaweekly.com/brian-foster-out-of-ufc-129-after-pre-fight-medical-reveals-brain-hemorrhage|title=Brian Foster Out of UFC 129 After Pre-Fight Medical Reveals Brain Hemorrhage|work=MMAWeekly.com |last=Martin |first=Damon |date=April 12, 2011 |access-date=July 1, 2011}} and was replaced by Jake Ellenberger.{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/news/23236/jake-ellenberger-replaces-brian-foster-faces-sean-pierson-at-ufc-129.mma|title=Jake Ellenberger replaces Brian Foster, faces Sean Pierson at UFC 129|publisher=mmajunkie.com|date=April 13, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120710040256/http://mmajunkie.com/news/23236/jake-ellenberger-replaces-brian-foster-faces-sean-pierson-at-ufc-129.mma|archive-date=July 10, 2012}}
On February 27, 2011, it was revealed that two of the preliminary bouts would air on a Sportsnet card.{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/news/22634/sportsnet-tv-offers-ufc-129-ufc-prelims-special-with-toronto-show.mma|title=Sportsnet offers UFC 129 "UFC Prelims" special with Toronto show|publisher=mmajunkie.com|date=February 27, 2011}} These bouts aired at a new time of {{nowrap|8 pm ET /}} {{nowrap|5 pm PT}}, as the UFC announced on March 5, 2011, that UFC 129 would be the first PPV to air live at {{nowrap|9 pm ET /}} {{nowrap|6 pm PT}}.{{cite web|url=http://www.mmafighting.com/2011/03/08/ufc-129-moved-up-one-hour-change-to-all-ppv-start-times-being-c/2|title=UFC 129 Moved Up One Hour; Change to All PPV Start Times Being Considered |work=MMAFighting.com|date=March 5, 2011 |last=Chiappetta |first=Mike |access-date=July 1, 2011}}
UFC Primetime returned to promote the St-Pierre/Shields title fight.{{Cite web|url=http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2011/3/20/2061339/ufc-129-st-pierre-vs-shields-trailer|title=UFC 129: St. Pierre vs. Shields Trailer|first=Nick |last=Thomas |work=BloodyElbow.com |date=March 20, 2011 |access-date=July 1, 2011}}
On April 19, 2011, it was revealed that two of the preliminary bouts would air on a Facebook stream.{{cite web|url=http://www.mmafighting.com/2011/04/19/ufc-129-expected-to-again-utilize-facebook-for-prelims|title=UFC 129 Expected to Again Utilize Facebook for Prelims |work=MMAFighting.com|date=April 19, 2011 |last=Erickson |first=Matt |access-date=July 1, 2011}} However, on April 21, the UFC instead announced that all of the prelims (except the two fights airing on Spike) would be on the Facebook stream.{{cite web|url=http://mmaweekly.com/all-five-ufc-129-prelim-fights-to-air-for-free-on-facebook|title=All Five UFC 129 Prelim Fights To Air For Free On Facebook|work=MMAWeekly.com|date=April 21, 2011 |last=Martin |first=Damon |access-date=July 1, 2011}}
Results
{{MMAevent}}
{{MMAevent card|Main card}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Welterweight
|Georges St-Pierre (c)
|def.
|Decision (unanimous) (48–47, 50–45, 48–47)
|5
|5:00
|For the UFC Welterweight Championship
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Featherweight
|José Aldo (c)
|def.
|Decision (unanimous) (48–45, 48–46, 49–46)
|5
|5:00
|For the UFC Featherweight Championship
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Light Heavyweight
|def.
|KO (crane kick)
|2
|1:05
|
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Light Heavyweight
|def.
|KO (punches)
|1
|0:20
|
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Lightweight
|def.
|Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–27)
|3
|5:00
|
}}
{{MMAevent card|Preliminary card (Spike)|header=no}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Welterweight
|def.
|Decision (unanimous) (30–26, 30–27, 30–26)
|3
|5:00
|
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Welterweight
|def.
|KO (punches)
|1
|2:42
|
}}
{{MMAevent card|Preliminary card (Facebook)|header=no}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Welterweight
|def.
|Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 29–28, 29–28)
|3
|5:00
|
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Bantamweight
|def.
|TKO (elbow and punches)
|1
|1:30
|This bout aired on the broadcast following the Couture–Machida bout.
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Middleweight
|def.
|Submission (triangle choke)
|1
|1:37
|
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Lightweight
|def.
|KO (spinning back fist)
|3
|1:27
|This bout aired on the broadcast following the St-Pierre–Shields bout.
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Featherweight
|def.
|Submission (triangle choke)
|1
|4:31
|This bout aired on the broadcast following the Matyushenko–Brilz bout.
}}
{{MMAevent end|notes=yes}}
Bonus awards
The following fighters received $129,000 bonuses.{{cite web |url=http://mmajunkie.com/news/23446/ufc-129-bonuses-machida-garza-aldo-and-hominick-get-100k-awards.mma |title=UFC 129 bonuses: Machida, Garza, Aldo and Hominick get $100K awards |work=MMAjunkie.com |date=May 1, 2011 |last1=Morgan |first1=John |last2=Stupp |first2=Dann |author-link2=Dann Stupp |access-date=July 1, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120710221906/http://mmajunkie.com/news/23446/ufc-129-bonuses-machida-garza-aldo-and-hominick-get-100k-awards.mma |archive-date=July 10, 2012 }}
- Fight of the Night: José Aldo vs. Mark Hominick
- Knockout of the Night: Lyoto Machida
- Submission of the Night: Pablo Garza
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
- {{IMDb title|1830877}}
{{UFC Events}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ufc 129}}
Category:Ultimate Fighting Championship flagship events
Category:2011 in mixed martial arts
Category:Mixed martial arts in Canada
Category:Sports competitions in Toronto