Garza, an import from the WEC wanted to prove that his first-round knockout win over Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Fredson Paixao at “The Ultimate Fighter 12 Finale” this past December was no fluke, and that he had the skills to hang with those in the UFC.

MacDonald, meanwhile, was hoping to make good on his second foray inside the octagon. He came back to the organization last May on the heels of a three-fight win streak, taking on John Salter at UFC 113. Jason suffered a nasty leg injury which kept him out of the better part of the year until his return earlier tonight.

Both Jason and Pablo showed that they have the skills to remain factors in the UFC with their first-round submission victories over their well-respected opponents.

Garza was taking on lethal striker and Canadian Yves Jabouin, who hails out of the Tri-Star gym which boasts names such as Kenny Florian as well as welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre. After an early exchange away on the feet which saw the faster Yves get the better of the stand-up–even dropping Garza with a low-kick–Pablo clinched Jabouin against the fence hoping to get the takedown.

As Jabouin continued to press forward, Pablo jumped for a flying-triangle, which pulls Yves down to the mat with him. Garza immediately cinches up the hold, and it’s tight. Yves is somehow surviving, and Garza continues to apply pressure. After transitioning from mount to his back on the mat, Garza finally earns the tapout in at 4:31 of the opening round.

The victory now moves Garza to 2-0 in the UFC, and he will be in the thick of things in the featherweight division.

MacDonald knew that a win here would keep his hopes of remaining in the UFC in tact, though he had a tall task in front of him in Ryan Jensen, a fighter who was been described by many as somebody who has the potential to be one of the best fighters in the division, though less than spectacular performances have suggested otherwise.

Early in the bout, MacDonald was hunting for the takedown after dipping away from strikes thrown by the wily Jensen. Against the fence, Ryan was searching for a guillotine choke, and quickly slaps on the hold and falls to his back. Initially the hold looked to be a fight-ender, though MacDonald snakes his head free. Jason transitions to the back, but with one hook in Jensen manages to shuck MacDonald to his back—mistake. The Canadian, who recieved a wild ovation at the Rogers Centre tonight before the 55,000 capacity crowd in Toronto, immediately locked up a triangle choke in the transition. Jensen tried to pop MacDonald with a few shots while in the hold, though the fists quickly turn into taps.

Jason earned the submission win with less than two-minutes of the opening round, reminiscent of his earlier UFC days when he finished “The Ultimate Fighter” veterans Chris Leben and Ed Herman with first-round submissions as well.

Now, “The Athlete” puts a “W” back into the win column and will be an early candidate for “Submission of the Night”.

Jason MacDonald is one of the near-dozen (ten, to be exact) Canadian fighters currently scheduled to compete at UFC 129. He’s also one of the most experienced in terms of pure numbers: MacDonald is a veteran of almost forty fights. MacDonald’s first run in the UFC started all the way back in 2006, and he entered the Octagon with a pretty respectable 16-7 record. To this day, MacDonald’s defining moment in the UFC came when he submitted Chris Leben at UFC 66.

Following that fight, things took a rather rocky turn for the wily veteran. MacDonald would lose one and then win one, in that order, until a first-round TKO loss to a returning Nate Quarry gave MacDonald a two-fight losing-streak. MacDonald was released shortly thereafter, and lost one more fight in regional promotions before going on a three-fight win-streak that won him a second shot in the UFC. Unfortunately, MacDonald would lose his UFC comeback due to a freak injury that broke his leg. MacDonald has been sitting on the sidelines, training and healing, ever since.

His opponent, Ryan Jensen, has also had a rather tumultuous UFC career. Jensen would enter the UFC with a very respectable 11-1 record. Even better, those eleven wins were all by stoppage: eight submissions and three TKO’s. Jensen seemed to be another hot prospect, and the Middleweight division certainly seemed in need of those kinds of fighters after Anderson Silva’s destruction of the division. Unfortunately, Jensen would be promptly and quickly submitted in back-to-back fights, losing first to Thales Leites via first-round armbar and then to Demian Maia via first-round Rear Naked Choke.

After exiting the UFC on the heels of those two losses, Jensen would lose one more time in regional promotions before a two-fight win-streak earned him another shot in the UFC. Jensen would promptly get submitted again, but finally scored his first UFC win back at the “UFC Fight Night 19” event. Jensen’s current run in the UFC has seen him win two fights by first-round submission while losing three fights, all by submission.

I think both of these fighter’s records tell some pretty interesting tales. I hate to say this, but I think the loser of this fight may once again be released by the UFC. Hopefully they bring out the best in each other and put on a good enough performance that both men are allowed to stay inside the Octagon.

Here’s the interesting thing about this fight: I don’t think either of these two are particularly bad fighters, I just think they’ve faced some really tough tests in the UFC. Look at some of the fighters MacDonald has lost to: Travis Lutter, Nate Quarry, Demian Maia, Yushin Okami, Rich Franklin. Likewise, let’s look at some of Jensen’s big losses: Demian Maia, Thales Leites. The one thing all those fighters have in common is that they’ve all fought for the UFC Middleweight Championship.

I know some fans may throw the tired cliché of “if you can’t stand the heat then get out of the kitchen” in answer to the point I just raised, but I honestly do think that both these fighters do belong in the UFC. Maybe not against the best the UFC has to offer, but they can produce entertaining fights. And I definitely think their fight at UFC 129 will be just that.

And that’s it for part three of my twelve-part series, fans and friends. Be sure to stay tuned as I continue to take an in-depth look at all twelve UFC 129 fights. And what about you, fans and friends? Any thoughts on this match-up?

What do the fighters think about the biggest night of their professional life … just seven days away? From GSP to Randy Couture to Jose Aldo to Pablo Garza – here are some fighter comments from the UFC press conference earlier this week.

GEORGES ST-PIERRE on facing the most dangerous threat to his title and the significance of this pivotal event in UFC history:

“He’s the toughest guy that I’ve fought. He’s a specialist with submissions, but I’m gonna beat him because I’m more well-rounded.

“It’s an honor for me to be headlining this card because it’s a historical event, but don’t blink. There’s gonna be a lot of action. My ultimate goal in this sport is being the greatest and also being the one who made the difference and brought the sport of mixed martial arts to another level.”

JAKE SHIELDS on fighting in front of 55,000 GSP fans:

“They are going to be booing me like crazy. There’s no way to prepare for 55,000 people booing you, but I know what’s going to happen and that’s beat GSP.

“The Canadians will go home pretty miserable, but hopefully they will at least appreciate that they saw something special in the title changing hands in a huge upset.”

JOSE ALDO on being UFC champion and keeping his dream alive against a tough opponent:

“Being UFC champion and defending the UFC belt is a real dream come true. I literally dreamed as a kid of being a UFC champion, I wanted to grow up and be like the great Brazilian fighters I always heard about.

“Hominick is a great fighter; he is the number one contender. I know this is his dream too – but his dream must come to an end for my dream to go on. And I have come too far, worked too hard and want to take care of my family too much to let anyone take this UFC belt from me.”

MARK HOMINICK on what drives him and the emotions of co-headlining an event of this magnitude:

“I’ve always thought MMA is about winning and that’s what drives me. I don’t need something to motivate me to train or to win; the win is what drives me and the win is still what it’s about.”

This whole event has been such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and it’s just been crazy and I’m really trying to enjoy the ride. I’m just trying to take it all in. This is an experience that I’ll look back on and say ‘wow, that was a crazy time.’”

RANDY COUTURE on possibly fighting his last match in front of a record crowd:

“I kind of want to go out on my own terms and decide when enough is enough and I think that time has come.  I realize I’ve pushed it a lot further than anybody is going to push it. I just feel like I want to go out on my terms, and not after one or two or three losses, and have everybody else telling you should be retiring. I kind of want to do it when I want to do it. I think now is the time.

“It’s certainly exciting to be involved in a card like this and have it be before a crowd of 55,000 or more and set a new attendance record.  It’s certainly fun for me to be a part of that whole thing and part of that historical event.”

LYOTO MACHIDA on fighting a UFC legend in what may be his last fight of his career and what he expects from “The Natural”:

“I have so much respect for Randy Couture; I am honored to match up my skills with a legend, especially in front of the biggest crowd in UFC history. If this truly is Randy’s final fight, it is truly an honor, because people always remember the final fight of a legend.

“Randy is known for always having a plan, for being able to figure out any style and always coming up with a battle plan. I look forward to matching my skills and tactics against his, but regardless of the result, Randy will be leaving the Octagon as a champion and legend.”

VLADIMIR MATYUSHENKO on his quiet, but dangerous opponent Jason Brilz:

“He has good wrestling and grappling, and dangerous striking, but I’m coming in there looking to do what I always do, and that’s power my way to the victory.”

JASON BRILZ on fighting in front of the passionate Canadian fans:

“I’m glad I’m not fighting a Canadian because it’s going to be pretty loud in there!”

Canadian MARK BOCEK on competing at this historic event:

“It’s an honor to fight at home at the biggest UFC in history, I will remember it forever.”

BEN HENDERSON on fighting respected Canadian grappler Bocek on his home turf:

“I don’t care.  I have to go into his backyard, but my last fight, (Anthony) Pettis had to fight me in my backyard (Glendale, Ariz.), so it’s OK.  I fought in Edmonton twice before.  I love the Canadian fans.  They appreciate wrestling and jiu-jitsu and really know what’s going on.  They’re very knowledgeable fans.”

NATE DIAZ on fighting UFC up-and-comer Rory MacDonald:

“He seems like a tough guy. He trains with a good bunch of fighters, but the guys I train with are better, so I’m gonna put it on him.”

RORY MACDONALD on his MMA dreams becoming a reality:

“I’m happy I get to show the world what I can do.  This is a very big opportunity for me on a major card for the UFC.  I dreamed I would be a part of something like this when I was younger.”

Sean Pierson, a St-Pierre training partner and native Ontarian, on carrying the pride of a nation:

“To be a part of history, on the first UFC card ever in Toronto, is an honor for me.  It’s an honor to represent my fellow Canadians.  Being Canadian means I have to carry more on my back.  I’m going out there to represent Canadians, my family, and my friends the best that I can.”

JAKE ELLENBERGER on the outcome of his fight with Sean Pierson:

“This is an important fight for me and I’m going to leave with my hand raised.”

CLAUDE PATRICK on fighting Daniel Roberts, who trains at the famed Cesar Gracie Academy:

“His record in the UFC speaks for itself, and coming from Cesar Gracie’s Academy, you know he will be prepared, so it’s making for great training motivation for me to get the win.”

DANIEL ROBERTS on representing the U.S. in front of a pro-Canadian crowd:

“I’m definitely going to represent the U.S. and bring back a win. I plan on fighting my fight and quieting that crowd. I know that the Canadian fans are passionate but they’re going to be disappointed on fight night.

“It’s not even a contest. Canada has some good fighters, but we have the best.”

IVAN MENJIVAR, originally from El Salvador but now living in Montreal, on representing his adopted home country:

“I fight for me, for my family and my team, but I feel happy to have Canada, Quebec and El Salvador behind me for this fight.  I am the pride of El Salvador, the pride of Quebec, the pride of Canada.  It is fun to see the popularity of the sport in Canada.”

CHARLIE VALENCIA, a long-time WEC veteran, on debuting at this event:

“As long as you put your heart on the line and fight with passion, I’m sure I can win a whole bunch of fans over.”

JASON MACDONALD on his emotional return to the Octagon:

“I’m excited to fight in front of 55,000 Canadians – hopefully they’ll be cheering for me.  It will make the victory celebration that much better.  I’ve fought in front of 20,000 people and that was amazing.  So I can only imagine what it’s going to be like to make my return in front of 55,000 people.”

RYAN JENSEN on fighting in hostile territory:

“I don’t mind being the bad guy.  I’m just out to give fans what they want, which is a knockout.”

JOHN MAKDESSI on what kind of fight he expects from his opponent, Kyle Watson:

“It should be a good fight. He is an experienced fighter and I’m expecting a war.”

KYLE WATSON on fighting a former training partner in Makdessi:

“We both had the unique opportunity to train with each other briefly before this match was made, so we have an idea of what each other will bring to the table.  That being said, I definitely anticipate a tough fight.  However, I feel that I am more well-rounded, and therefore will be able to pressure him in all areas.”

YVES JABOUIN on getting past the event hype and thinking about the job at hand:

“At the end of the day, it’s a fight in a cage and I focus on what I need to do.”

PABLO GARZA, a former college basketball player, on keeping his winning ways:

“Like all of my fights, a good game plan will be implemented in order to get the ‘W.’”

—-

What are your thougths on UFC 129?  I can’t wait to see Aldo/Hominick and Diaz/McDonald!

SpikeTV officials were able to confirm that the one hour special will two bouts, both in the middleweight division.

According to Spike, winner of the eleventh season of “The Ultimate Fighter”, Court McGee will make his second appearance inside the octagon, and first after winning the competition. The former drug addict-turned sober fighter will take on veteran Ryan Jensen, as part of the “UFC on Prelims” feature, for UFC 121–headlined by a heavyweight clash between champion Brock Lesnar who attempts to defend his title against top contender, Cain Velasquez.

Additionally, fellow “The Ultimate Fighter” veteran and wild man, Tom Lawlor will take on former middleweight title challenger Patrick Cote, on the aforementioned “UFC on Prelims” special, on October 23, at the Honda Center, in Anaheim, Calif.

Lawlor, though colorful, charismatic and clearly talented, will likely be fighting for his spot in the UFC alongside Cote, as both middleweights are coming off back-to-back losses against top competition.

Cote, who returned to the UFC after a long absence due to a knee injury following a loss to Anderson Silva in a bid for his title back in 2008, returned last June at UFC 115 in Vancouver, in a losing effort to contender Alan Belcher by rear naked choke in the second round.

Lawlor, meanwhile earned his bid in the UFC after defeating fellow cast mate on the eighth season of TUF, Kyle Kingsbury by unanimous decision. The fight was contested at light heavyweight, where after the 205-pounder turned middleweight defeated CB Dollaway by guillotine choke, at UFC 100. The win nabbed the American Top Team product “Submission of the Night” honors for his efforts.

Since then, Lawlor dropped a split decision to fellow wrestler Aaron Simpson, after rocking Simpson early with a barrage of punches, and appearing to have gassed in the latter parts of the fight. He then took on late-replacement Joe Doerksen at UFC 115, losing by rear naked choke against the veteran who has competed in nearly 60 fights as a professional.

Is everyone pleased with the match ups, or would you have rather seen a different fight on the prelims special for Spike?

Fickett was signed to challenge Shields on tonight’s Showtime-televised card; but, Shields injured his back heaving a sledgehammer during training.

Fickett drew Lim after Shields’s partner, Diaz, was denied a license by the California State Athletic Board.

The title fight has reportedly been rescheduled for 14 June in Hawaii.

The absence of Shields and Diaz, popular Nor Cal warriors,  agitated thousands of hungry fight aficionados at HP Pavilion.

They packed in to feast on a middleweight mixed martial arts title fight between Strikeforce champion Frank Shamrock (24-9-1) and Cung Le (6-0), heroes from opposite sides of the Capital of Silicon Valley.

What they were fed was two-and-a-half rounds of brisk San Shou sparring and two-and-a-half minutes of MMA.

Le remained undefeated when Shamrock quit with a broken arm after the third round, relinquishing his belt to the Vietnamese kung-fu stylist.

 ”He kept blocking,” Le explained,  ”so I kept aiming at that part of the wrist.”

With local street cred on the table, both fighters answered the opening bell cautious of the other’s prowess.

Shamrock circled in a crouching stance while pumping a lazy jab in Le’s general direction, while Le waltzed warily from a safe range.

When the hammer did fall, beginning with a Shamrock kick to Le’s midsection countered by a Le left hand, it was in single-strike spurts followed by congratulatory high fives.

They grinned at each one-off as the crowd chanted “Boring!”

Shamrock closed round one with a knee busting Le’s lip, but lost the round in range of Le’s snapping kicks.

Le opened the second frame knocking Shamrock’s mouthpiece out with a left high kick.

As Le learned Shamrock wasn’t interested in taking him to the mat, he became more comfortable launching left and right middle kicks to setup punches to Shamrock’s head, catching Shamrock with a right hook towards the round’s final bell.

Le topped Shamrock in round two as well.

Midway through the third round, a fight broke out and the champion and challenger traded flurries against the cage.

A hard left kick to Shamrock’s core backed the champion into the fence and Le followed with a spinning back fist as Shamrock advanced.

Shamrock walked through the worst of Le’s attack and pounded punches in a flurry marked by a right fist that staggered Le against the cage.

Le countered with another lightning strike body kick followed by a flurry of hooks as the bell signaled an end to the round and, as Shamrock chose not to answer the fourth round’s bell, the end of the fight.

“This is a dream come true,” Le said after the fight.  “Coming from Vietnam under gunfire and now world champion, I love it.”

In undercard action, top ten lightweight “El Niño” Gilbert Melendez (14-1) shook-up and opened the anticipated can of whoop ass on last minute opponent Gabe Lemley (11-7).

Referee Herb Dean showed mercy on the seemingly awe-struck Iowan and called an end to Melendez’s G’n'P onslaught at 2:18 of the second round.

Melendez returned like a typhoon from a loss to “The Endless Warrior” Mitsuhiro Ishida (16-3-1) in Japan, the first of “El Niño’s” career.

Strikeforce newbie Wayne Cole (11-6) surprised “MAK” Mike Kyle (9-7-1) in an armbar 45-seconds after the opening bell.

Kyle, win-less since 2005, was rusty from a two-year absence from professional competition.

In a sloppy, but entertaining 4:45 minute punch-up, middleweight Joey Villasenor (25-6) of Jackson’s Submission Fighting popped late replacement Ryan Jensen (11-4) with a right hand, knocking the former UFC fighter out in his third consecutive first-round stoppage loss (all against tough competition).

Team Oyama welterweight Tiki Ghosn‘s (10-7) takedown defence kept his scrap with young Luke Stewart (5-1) where Ghosn could pick at Stewart’s stand-up.  The veteran nickle-and-dimed his way to a unanimous decision of 29-28 twice and 30-27.

Stewart picks up his first “L” after five stoppage wins, all in Strikeforce affairs.

Team USA grappler Darren Uyenoyama (4-1) broke bantamweight Strikeforce regular Anthony Figueroa’s (4-2) two-fight win streak by sweeping from half guard into a guillotine choke, enticing the tap at 1:27 of the first frame.

Undefeated Jesse Jones (2-0) exposed Jesse Gillespie (1-1), transitioning in back control from a rear naked choke to G’n'P for a 35-second TKO.

Lightweight Billy Evangelista (6-0) knocked out Marlon Sims (3-3) at :39 of the third round to end the night.