UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo took a unanimous decision over Mark Hominick (50-43, 48-46, 49-46) to retain his belt at UFC 129: St. Pierre vs Shields.
The champion Jose Aldo dominated Mark Hominick thoroughly but the challenger proved to be the definition of a game opponent and ended the last round on top, raining down blows.
It was all Aldo in the opening round. He landed first and often with leg kicks and several lead uppercuts. Then after beating up Hominick on the feet, he shot in for a beautiful take down and proceeded to land several brutal elbows to Hominick’s head before a ref restart. Aldo quickly took Hominick down again to end the round.
Hominick came out aggressive in the second and Aldo appeared tired. Nonetheless, the champ managed to re-bloody Hominick’s face. Aldo then took Hominick down and landed from Hominick’s guard. Aldo landed a huge punch from the top as McCarthy warned Hominick against grabbing the fence. After a re-start, Aldo came out swinging but Hominick landed a hard leg kick before getting taken down again. Aldo took side control as Hominick curled up the cage wall. The round ended with Aldo on top.
They traded leg kicks to open the third. Hominick stuffed a take down attempt from the champ. Aldo’s head movement made Hominick miss again and again. Aldo landed a sharp punch-leg kick combo. Hominick stuffed a shot. Hominick began to outscore Aldo but Aldo landed the harder shots. Then suddenly Aldo dropped Hominick with a short pair of punches and followed up with some brutal ground and pound. Aldo looked for the finish but Hominick recovered and got guard. Aldo fought off a straight armbar attempt and landed some sharp elbows.
Aldo landed a chopping leg kick to open the championship rounds. A hard 1-2 hurt Hominick. Ref John McCarthy stopped the action after an Aldo kick to Hominick’s groin. More brutal leg kicks to Hominick’s lead leg. A double jab from Hominick seemed to anger the champ as Aldo immediately dropped him with a straight right. A huge hematoma swelled up on Hominick’s forehead. Hominick began to look like the elephant man. The ref stopped the fight for a medical exam of the challenger but the ringside doc sent Hominick back out there. Aldo took him down again and ended the round on top.
The doctor examined Hominick before the start of the fifth round but let it proceed. Aldo slipped and ripped with a straight left to start the action. Aldo then hurt Hominick with an uppercut. Hominick shot in and Aldo went for a guillotine. Hominick got free and worked to improve position. Hominick landed some hard punches from the top position as the crowd roared in support. Aldo covered up and ate shots to the ribs. Hominick rained down blows for the final minute as an exhausted Aldo grimly held on.
Aldo came into the fight at the only UFC champion in history to have claimed a UFC title while having never fought in the promotion. The promotion converted his WEC featherweight title into a UFC belt after merging with the smaller organization. He earned 8 wins in the WEC, beating former champs Mike Brown and Urijah Faber along the way.
Hominick brought a five fight winning streak into the fight.
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