José Aldo vs. Mark Hominick

Featherweight phenomenon Jose Aldo overcame a difficult weight cut and an apparent case of the flu to outlast a spirited title challenge from Mark Hominick in UFC 129's Co-Main Event. It was the toughest fight to date for Aldo in his reign as the WEC and UFC Featherweight Champion.

Aldo came out sharp in round one, out boxing Hominick, whose strength is boxing, and landing the best power shots of the opening frame. Aldo looked the quicker of the two fighters and his head movement was giving Hominick problems. His best combination, a left to the body or head followed by a right whip kick to the legs of Hominick, landed repeatedly to good effect.

Aldo looked well in control until he came out for round two, suddenly appearing to have little left in the tank. Hominick came on strong in the second round, beginning to land to the head of the champion and find his range as the champion's footwork had slowed considerably. Aldo fought through the onslaught, however, mixing in takedowns to slow Hominick's momentum and keep the round close.

By round three Aldo appeared to have dug deep and restored some of the quickness and punching power that had departed him. Both men took turns scoring, but Aldo's punching power was superior, and he was the only one of the two to mix in takedowns. Round four was more of the same, and as they entered the fifth frame he was well ahead on the scorecards.

Hominick, meanwhile, was seriously busted up. A major hematoma on his left forehead had swelled grotesquely, to the point that Referee "Big" John McCarthy had called a stop to the action to have it checked out. Hominick was also bleeding profusely. But to Hominick's credit, round five proved his best round of the fight. He landed in top position in Aldo's guard for the first time in the fight, and suddenly it became clear that Aldo had no gas left in the tank. He could not hip escape, and could barely utilize wrist control to slow Hominick's punches. The Toronto crowd rallied behind Hominick, a Canadian native, rising to a delirium pitch as Hominick ground-and-pounded desperately against the clock. At a few moments Aldo appeared to be wilting, but he gamely hung on until the end of the round to secure a Unanimous Decision victory.

The gutsy performance by both men -- Aldo for fighting through an off night physically, Hominick for battling through blood and horrific swelling -- marked the fight as an instant featherweight classic.