Tag: UFC 129

Rogers Centre Bracing for Biggest Crowd in UFC History

Filed under: UFC, NewsTORONTO — Just how big is UFC 129 going to be? Apparently, 55,000 tickets weren’t quite enough. Early Thursday afternoon, the UFC put a few more seats on sale after workers finished production setup and carved out some extra spac…

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TORONTO — Just how big is UFC 129 going to be? Apparently, 55,000 tickets weren’t quite enough. Early Thursday afternoon, the UFC put a few more seats on sale after workers finished production setup and carved out some extra space. There will be around 20 video screens, including an extra, center-hung 100-foot screen to complement the stadium’s existing 110-foot video board in centerfield. The audio setup will have more than 80 points, twice as many as some rock concerts the stadium has hosted.

For months, UFC president Dana White has been looking at mock-up photos and models of the final project, but he finally got his first look in person this week. White, who once said he never wanted to do a stadium show unless the promotion could replicate “the UFC experience,” came out thrilled.

“I’m telling you right now, you’re going to be blown away,” he said.

St. Pierre ‘Scared’ and Shields ‘Sick of Him’ as Matchup for No. 1 Nears

Filed under: UFC, NewsTORONTO — For Jake Shields, the interest in fighting Georges St. Pierre came many years ago, before he ever signed his name to a UFC contract, before many people who now classify themselves as MMA fans knew who he was. Shields wa…

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TORONTO — For Jake Shields, the interest in fighting Georges St. Pierre came many years ago, before he ever signed his name to a UFC contract, before many people who now classify themselves as MMA fans knew who he was. Shields was already a veteran of the sport, and had quietly amassed a long win streak that resulted in an EliteXC welterweight championship. He won that fight in just 63 seconds, and moments afterward, voiced a hope of one day facing GSP, who was then already the UFC champ.

Wherever St. Pierre was that night, his sixth sense might have been tingling. The Canadian star had for a long time watched and admired Shields from afar, and considered the possibility that they might one day meet. By then they were both champs, but the day he truly realized Shields was elite was in the spring of 2006, when Shields beat both Yushin Okami and Carlos Condit on the same night.

Since even before that time, St. Pierre and Shields have been almost inarguably the best welterweights in the world. Dating back to the start of 2005, the champion has won 14 of 15 fights, and the lone loss, to Matt Serra, has been avenged. The challenger has one-upped him though, coming in with 15 consecutive wins. So as far as they are both concerned, UFC 129‘s main event is a fight that is a long time coming.

Yves Jabouin ‘Feels Blessed’ to Make His UFC Debut at Rogers Centre

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TORONTO — MMA Fighting spoke to Yves Jabouin about his Octagon debut at UFC 129, fighting Pablo Garza, being a part of the growing Tristar Gym team, picking up his first WEC in his last fight, learning from his friend Georges St-Pierre and more.

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TORONTO — MMA Fighting spoke to Yves Jabouin about his Octagon debut at UFC 129, fighting Pablo Garza, being a part of the growing Tristar Gym team, picking up his first WEC in his last fight, learning from his friend Georges St-Pierre and more.

Rory MacDonald Used Carlos Condit Loss as Motivation for UFC 129 Bout

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TORONTO — Watch below as Rory MacDonald talks about his UFC 129 fight against Nate Diaz, what he learned from his devastating loss to Carlos Condit, his time away from MMA dealing with injuries, moving to Montreal, his thoughts on Diaz and much more.

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TORONTO — Watch below as Rory MacDonald talks about his UFC 129 fight against Nate Diaz, what he learned from his devastating loss to Carlos Condit, his time away from MMA dealing with injuries, moving to Montreal, his thoughts on Diaz and much more.

Jason MacDonald Fighting for His Job at UFC 129

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TORONTO — Watch below as Jason MacDonald talks about coming back from a devastating ankle injury last year, fighting on the biggest show in UFC history, why he believes he is fighting for his job at UFC 129 against Ryan Jensen and his thoughts on his opponent.

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TORONTO — Watch below as Jason MacDonald talks about coming back from a devastating ankle injury last year, fighting on the biggest show in UFC history, why he believes he is fighting for his job at UFC 129 against Ryan Jensen and his thoughts on his opponent.

Mark Bocek Developing Swagger Because He Felt Overlooked

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TORONTO — Watch below as Mark Bocek talks about his UFC 129 fight against Benson Henderson, his new online persona, his place in the lightweight division, fighting in his home province and how he expects the fight to play out.

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TORONTO — Watch below as Mark Bocek talks about his UFC 129 fight against Benson Henderson, his new online persona, his place in the lightweight division, fighting in his home province and how he expects the fight to play out.