UFC 129 results recap from last night for 'St-Pierre vs Shields' in Toronto

UFC 129: "St. Pierre vs. Shields" took place TONIGHT (Sat., April 30, 2011) from the Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

It was the fight that more than 55,000 rabid fans, as well as millions watching worldwide at home, came to see -- the main event between UFC Welterweight Champion Georges St. Pierre, defending his 170-pound strap against Jake Shields.

Most of them got what they wanted, which was another win for the most dominant welterweight in the world today.

St. Pierre pumped his patented jab all night, keeping his distance from the Brazilian jiu-jitsu ace and hurting him in the process. "Rush" also frequently uncorked a looping overhand right, which found its mark on more than one occasion and wobbled the Cesar Gracie-trained standout.

Shields couldn't do anything.

His punches were blocked and his takedowns were stuffed, eliminating any chance that he could get the fight into his wheelhouse on the ground. He did manage to bloody up the Canadian with a jab in the fourth round, but that was the lone bright spot in an otherwise listless performance.

St. Pierre had his chances to put away Shields, but he refused to follow him to the ground for any extended periods of time. One would imagine that it was because he didn't want to get caught in a submission, which is understandable at such a high competition level.

But it's only going to get more intense ... especially if he intends to move up to middleweight to take on new challenges, like Anderson Silva.

Something tells me, however, that newly-acquired Strikeforce Welterweight Champion Nick Diaz might have something to say about that.

Mark Hominick told anyone and everyone heading into his fight with UFC Featherweight Champion Jose Aldo that the Brazilian had never faced a striker like him.

The Canadian kickboxing champion may have been right, but tonight was not his night.

Aldo whipped bruising leg kicks to Hominick's lead leg all night long, slipping punches and landing takedowns throughout their 25-minute battle. "The Machine" hung in the pocket all night, using fancy footwork and crisp boxing to keep the champion at bay.

Hominick was stunned several times throughout the fight, especially in the third round. But he managed to survive and keep moving forward. Toward the end of the fourth round, Hominick developed an Elephant Man-like hematoma on his forehead. In the fifth round, Aldo opened up a huge gash under the Canadian's left eye, which quickly swelled shut.

Despite several checks from the referee and ringside physician, Hominick was unbelievably allowed to continue. And did he ever, finding a way to somehow win the fifth and final round, punishing Aldo with effective ground and pound to close the fight.

What a warrior.

In the end, Aldo rightfully won a unanimous decision. But the real story coming out of the fight is the true grit and heart that Hominick displayed this evening. He left everything he had, including probaly a pint of blood, inside that Octagon tonight.

And he still had the energy to do his patented post-fight push ups.

Unreal.

Anything Anderson Silva can do, Lyoto Machida can do better.

"The Dragon" tied the ribbon around Randy Couture's historic career with a Karate Kid-inspired front Crane kick that sent "The Natural" reeling to the canvas in a heap midway through the second round of their 205-pound clash. The Steven Seagal special also apparently dislodged the dentures of the 47-year-old mixed martial arts legend.

Talk about going out with a bang.

Couture confirmed his retirement after his 29th professional bout tonight, for a career that dates all the way back to 1997. To put things in perspective, the Olympic-level wrestler was 33 when he made his debut -- that same age as the man who defeated him tonight.

He's had more twists and turns during that time than Lombard Street. He's done things that aspiring fighters today can't even dream about. And he's got more than his fair share of war stories to tell around the fireplace.

Not bad for an old man. Not bad at all.

Lost in all the drama was a sensational finish by Machida -- a permanent highlight-reel addition to the UFC's promotional library. It was insane.

Perhaps more important, he's back in the win column for the first time since Oct. 2009.

Welcome back, Lyoto son.

What happened?

That's what Jason Brilz asked referee Dan Miragliotta just 20 seconds into his light heavyweight fight with Vladimir Matyushenko.

It was an ole' Russian one-two -- right uppercut, straight left -- from the six-time Soviet wrestling champion, Jason.

Matyushenko didn't even break a sweat, cleaning up "The Hitman" with KGB-like efficiency. "The Janitor" -- who has now won five of his last six fights -- was looking to put the embarrassing loss to Jon Jones behind him.

He did just that tonight. And he did it quickly.

That's now two consecutive wins for the 40-year-old mixed martial arts veteran. It's time for him to get back in the mix with the big dogs before calling it curtains on an illustrious 13-year career.

Tick-tock.

In the opening fight of the PPV broadcast, Canada's own Mark Bocek looked to excite the fan-friendly crowd with a submission over former WEC champion, Ben Henderson.

Henderson, however, was just too "Smooth" for the slick submissions of the Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt.

Bocek had a few legs and necks, but was never close to finishing the fight. Henderson, meanwhile, punished Bocek -- bloodied and bruised -- with wig-splitting elbows and brutal knees throughout the 15-minute lightweight fight.

It was an easy decision for the judges, who awarded Henderson with a clear-cut unanimous decision, winning all three rounds on their cards. 

Henderson scored a big win tonight in his Octagon debut, proving that he deserves stiffer competition in the crowded lightweight division moving forward. 

Taking on the loser of the fight between Clay Guida and Anthony Pettis in June sounds like a pretty good idea.

Just sayin.

That's enough from us -- now it's your turn to discuss "St. PIerre vs. Shields" in the comments section below. Sound off, Maniacs.

For complete UFC 129 results and detailed blow-by-blow commentary of the televised main card fights click here.