UFC 129 - Fight Night in Toronto

Toronto - UFC 129

The largest crowd ever in UFC history was on hand in Toronto - over 50, 000 people packed into the Rogers Centre.

This was a big night in Toronto, and a huge night for UFC. It was a UFC convention. Every great fighter was there. UFC and President Dana White pulled out all the stops for this historical night.

The 2 title fights did not upset.

The Main Event - George "Rush" St.Pierre (21-2) vs Jake Shields (26-4-1)

GSP, the Pride of Canada, successfully defended his welterweight title belt saturday night. Going the distance with Jake Shields and earning a unanimous decision. GSP was apologetic after the fight (We have seen him do this before) GSP apologized to the fans, saying "I was looking for a knockout or submission, I am sorry" But Shields was a great challenger, he was really a 5-1 underdog according to Vegas odds and he surprised everyone even the Champ.

GSP is one of the greats of the sport. He is one of the most well rounded fighters in MMA and he is alll class out of the ring. Truly a great ambassador for the sport and worth his weight in gold.

The fight tonight, looked different from recent GSP fights. This time GSP didn't try any take downs instead it looked more like a boxing match. Fighters traded jabs in the centre of the ring. GSP was landing more power punches early on. Shields tried for a few take downs, but GSP denied any attempts by Shields. GSP wins the first 3 rounds hands down. GSP lands more punches and is dictating the action. GSP leans back and explodes forward delivering a Superman Power Punch. Midway thru the fight, GSP lands a kick to Shields head. Shields is on his back and GSP hesitates and fails to deliver any ground and pound.

In the last round we see Shields land a stiff jab to GSP's face and it draws blood. But GSP recovers quickly. Both are great fighters but GSP is the better conditioned athlete. This makes the difference, as GSP holds on for the victory.

In the feather-weight title match

Jose Aldo jr (18-1) was defending his title against Toronto's own Mark "The Machine" Hominuk (20-9) this was the fight of the night. The fight went all 5 championship rounds.

Aldo would get the first punch in and lands a stiff straight face of Hominuk and then follows it with a quick sweep kick to his opponents leg . It was this devastating combination of Right hook and left sweep kick that did some real damage. Aldo stuck with this combination all fight. Midway thru the 1st rd Aldo scores a take down and is looking to score with his elbow to the head. Aldo pounds and Hominik defends from his back. The crowd wanted to see a brawl, they get in on the "boo's" early. The ref lets them go. When it looks like the ref may get the fighters to stand up, Aldo then connects with a timely elbow to the head. Aldo dominated the 1st round. The 2nd round was much of the same thing. More take downs and elbows by Aldo. The ref is quicker to stand the fighters back up and they take turns jabbing. Aldo lands a strong right hook and left leg kick. Then Aldo lands another strong power punch and Hominik goes down. On his way down, Hominilk has the presence in mind to shoot for Aldo's leg but Aldo slips off the tackle attempt and delivers some serious blows in the ground and pound position.

In my opinion the ref could have stopped this fight, but being a championship match the ref let it continue. From there it got ugly. In rd 4 Aldo was on the ground and pound again an all of a sudden Hominik's forhead directly above his eyes swells up like a big muffin top was stuck to his forehead. It was ugly. Someone puked in the 5th row, it was ugly. Hominuk wanted the fight so bad and showed incredible toughness. He stuck it out the entire 5 rounds and even made a late surge, getting some of his own ground and pound going. But it was all Aldo, and he got the Win by Unanimous Decision.

It was during the Lyoto Machida (16-2) vs Randy "The Natural" Couture (19=10) fight that we saw the knockout of the night by a Kick to the head. Both Machida and Couture are experienced fighters and former champions. Couture is already in the Hall of Fame for crying out loud. He was a 2x Light-heavy Weight Champ and a Heavyweight Champ. Lyoto is 15 years younger than "The Natural". Machida won the fight with a TKO standing forward foot kick to the head. As they say in wrestling "right in the kisser" Couture was knocked out and the ref stepped in and called the fight. Couture said this was it, no more UFC. Perhaps we'll see him back but he won't be the one fighting.

St.Pierre vs Shields

George St. Pierre is fighting in Toronto this saturday. He will be defending his UFC Middleweight Championship Belt against Jake Shields.

St. Pierre hasn't lost a fight since UFC 69in 2007. This is his 9th title defence.

Now tomorrow at UFC 129 - some critics are calling that Jake Shields will upset St. Pierre.

Are you nuts? I ask. Haven't you seen all the billboards, haven't you heard all the talk, haven't you been thinking ahead to the St.Pierre/Anderson Silva and who is this Jake Shields guy?

Well, just a minute now, hold on a second.

Remember Strikeforce, Jake Shields is the former Middleweight Champions.

Some critics are Predicting Shields will become the new UFC Middleweight Champ. Kevin Lole, MMA writer for yahoo sports knows Jake Shields is the 5-1 underdog. But predicts Shields will upset St.Pierre. I don't know who Dana White thinks will win, he is the UFC President and he is umped up for the UFC debut in Toronto. Joe Rogan will be there (Caffein Nut?), and this is going to be the biggest crowd for a UFC event ever, over 50, 000 people. I doubt it will be the most subscribbed to pay per view event but The money at the gate alone will keep these guys coming back. White has been marketing St. Pierre as the best thing to hit Canada since the canoe. White went as far as saying that "St. Pierre is Canada's biggest Athlete of All Time", saying this during segment sportnet the fan 590. In his defence, he means no offence to Wayne Gretzky. I will tell ya this comment had hockey fans from coast to coast with their backs up."What about Gretzky" everyone was saying. White, would have to go back and clarify and say that St.Pierre would be more recognizable around the world than Gretzky. White got off scot-free, he was lucky, St.Pierre rolled with it. St. Pierre is smooth, he came back saying, that Gretzky was his idol growing up.

Back to the predictions of Shields upsetting St. Pierre I don't think it will happen.

But Kevin Lole, who wrote an article proclaiming that "St. Pierre's win streak should be considered won of the great streaks in professional sports history". Lole must think the streak is coming to end, because as Lole would write, Shields has his own streak as well, the last time he lost was in 2004. That is 3 years longer winning streak than St.Pierre's. But this is also Shields second fight with UFC

"Vancouver win boring game 1"

Did anyone see the Vancouver game last night? I was on a patio with friends and forgot it was on. But heard from someone at the bar say they Vancouver won 1-0. He said it was a boring game. I said ok.

Windstorm

Spring Windstorm

*Click to see video*

The wind was begining to really blow outside.

The Story: Here I am in my home office. Outside I hear the sound of my blue box skidding down the street. "Woooooossshhh" The wind was pushing hard. I looked out the window. Garbage and newspapers and empty plastic bottles were blowing down the street. I better go get my blue box before it ends up in the the park. I hear the sound of the garbage truck engine revving up. It is coming up to my neighbours lane way. It whistles to a stop. The garbage man collectes the bins and tries his best to position the empty trash cans, so they won't just blow away. I take in my neighbours trash can and put it up next to their garage. As I bend over to pick up my trash can I hear a loud sNaaaAAP!

I couldn't believe my eyes. A tall pine tree fell quickly to the ground.The tree landed in the street. Luckily no one was in the area and nothing was damaged.

Across the street I notice another tall pine tree laying on the front lawn. It had already fell. The Utilities service were quickly on the scene with chainsaws and cleared the street. In all the were 4 trees that had been either uprooted or had their trunks snapped in half. Many branches were blown down to the ground. since this morning around 9 am the power has been out and it was eventually restore before 4pm. Fire trucks have been busy today. The sound of the sirens and chainsaws and the wind fills the air.

The Next Round: NHL

The NHL Playoffs

There were 4 game 7's in the first round of the playoffs this year. There were only four game 7's during the entire 2010 playoffs last year. What excitement, what drama. If the 2nd round can live up to the first round i'll be tickled pink.

Before the playoffs, I had predicted that Boston and Vancouver would make it to the finals. My prediction is still intact but I was worried both Vancouver and Boston went to 7 game's and in the 7th both teams needed overtime, can the teams rebound in time for their next series ? We'll see....

A Preview for the 2nd Round

2nd Round Playoff Picture is as follows-

In the East:

-Boston will take on Philly

Boston and Philly tied their season series 2 games a piece

Boston finished the season 3 points ahead of Philly in the season standings

Injuries - Philly is without Carter and Boston is without Savard

-Washington will battle Tampa Bay

Washington won the season series 4-1-1

Washington are fresh, they have been off 5 days

Tampa are hot winning 3 straight to beat the Penguins in 7

In the West:

-Vancouver will try Nashville

Teams split season series winning 2 games apiece

Nashville are into the 2nd round for the first time

Nashville's Mike Fisher is avg 1 point a game

-Detroit and San Jose will renew rivalries

San Jose won season series 3-1

Wings beat phoenix in 4 games

San Jose beat LA in 6 games

Some thoughts for the 2nd round:

Vancouver and Nashville - how tired and beat up are the Canucks? Nashville has been waiting for over 4 days to see who they will play and Vancouver has only had one day of rest to prepare for the 2nd round.

Boston and Philadelphia - both teams first round series went to 7 games. This will be a heck of a series. Remember last year Boston looked like they were going to sweep Philly after Boston went up 3-0 in the series only to see the Flyers win 4 straight and make one of the most amazing come backs in NHL playoff history.

Washington and Tampa - Washington disposed of New York in 5 games and have had 5 days off whereas Tampa went 7 games with Pittsburgh. Both teams have deep rosters with skill, size and toughness.

Detroit and San Jose - This will be the fifth time the teams have met in the playoffs. Detroit coasted thru Phoenix but San Jose will be no walk in the park. There are a few question marks with injuries - How healthy is Franzen and will Zetterberg play?

The Great Outdoors

Fishing season is upon us - I have to renew my conservation licence this year. That will cost about $25.00 - I am a big believer in catch and release. I have yet to keep or eat a fish I have caught. After spending the last few summers fishing from the banks of the Otonabee River I bought a canoe. It has been nice to hit water and do some paddling, casting a line here and there and seeing what I can catch. The canoe has allowed my to get close to some unique looking birds like the Blue Heron and Giant Osprey and other wild life.

After being coupe'd up all winter its nice to spend as much time as I can outside

Lucky 7 for the Canucks

Western Conference - Vancouver pull off an overtime victory in game 7 defeating the Hawks 2-1

Alex Burrows stepped up his game scoring early and putting the home team on the board first. Stressing the importance of scoring first in the playoffs. The Hawks battled their way back and tied the game while killing a penalty with 2 minutes to go in the 3rd period. Jonathan Toews scored for the Hawks. How fitting that the game 7 would go into overtime. Five minutes into overtime Vancouver's Burrows forced a turnover and went in on a breakaway and blasted a rolling puck over the shoulder of the Hawks rookie goalie for his second of the game. The Canucks will now play Nashville and Detroit will face San Jose in the Western Conference Semi Finals

Eastern Conference- Philadelphia will move on after a convincing game 7 victory over Buffalo. Philly built a 4-0 lead and never looked back. They will wait to see who the face in the second round

Montreal beat the Bruins 2-1 to force a game 7. Montreal's best players rose to the occasion. Cammalleri and Gionta scored for the Habs (both on the power play) Sidenberg scored for the Bruins

More game 7's .... 4 out of 8 of the first round series went to 7 games - It doesn't get more exciting than this!

Tonight the Habs are in Boston and Tampa Bay are in Pittsburgh for their final game 7

Game 7's and a Game 6

Vancouver host Chicago and Philadelphia host Buffalo - the winners go on!

I would bet the home teams to win.

It is also game 6 for Boston and Montreal. Boston have the series 3-2 Can Montreal win at home?

Then it will be

Tampa Bay at Pittsburgh for Game 7

-Who will win that? is Crosby back?

Who is in and who will be out?

The first round of the playoffs

The Predators go forward to the 2nd round for the first time in their history. As franchise, they have been previously to the playoffs 5 times, steady seasons but failures in the post. But they are a new franchise with growing pains. This was their 6th crack at it and they upset the Ducks in playoffs for their first time playoff series win.

Also winning, The Capitals are thru to the next round the Rangers are out. Detroit won the night before, defeating the Coyotes, who may soon return to Winnipeg.

Tonight the Sharks are looking to wrap the series (Sharks are up 3-2)

Its is a must win for Tampa Bay and they are currently up 2-1 in the 2nd. Penguins lead the series 3-2

Montreal vs Boston Game 5

In BOSTON -

I am buying the excitement that is the Montreal and Boston. An old rivalry. The two teams have lost both home games and won their games on the road. Now its back in Boston tonight for game 5

-1st Period

Montreal had a great chance out front of Boston's goal, Thomas the net keeper was sprawled and beaten but one of the Bruins defence filled in the crease and made a beauty glove save

The Bruins Fans are shouting "Carey, Carey".

Both teams are 0-1 on the powerplay

There is no score after 1st period

-2nd Period

No scoring

-3rd Period

The teams trade goals

Boston scored at 4min mark

Montreal scrores at 14 min mark

-Overtime

Nathan Horton scores the game winner in the 2nd Overtime

Bruins are up 3-2 in series

The Momentum

Looking back, the Bruins got a big jump in game 3. The Habs won 2 on the road and returned home to Montreal. Following the warm up skate there was an epic pre-grame ceremony that rivaled that of an Olympic ceremony, I couldn't believe how over the top it was. I believe this epic pregame got Boston more excited than Montreal and they have bounced back. In game 3 they scored in the opening minute. The series has been a battle. Will the Bruins win it in 6 on the road in Montreal?

You Win the first two and I'll Win the Next two

SporrrRTS-Their Grrreat!

NHL - See saw battling in a couple of series with Canadian teams are now even in their series both Vancouver and Montreal give up 2 two game advantage. Now the series are essentially a best two out of three series. Chicago and Boston are on a win streak.

Chicago has come back in their series with colossal momentum, whooping Vancouver 5-0 - The Black Hawks outscored the Canucks 12-2 in two games. Duncan Keith is playing inspired hockey. He scored two goals last night. His shot from the point has eyes, top shelf from the blueline. Keith has stepped it up in the absence of Seabrook, scoring 4 goals and 2 assists in the last 3 games. Their goalie Corey Crawford got his first career playoff shutout.

Boston hasn't battled back with such momentum that Chicago has but at the end of the day they are on the same position. The game was a battleMontreal was up 3-1 in the 2nd and then Boston scored two to tie it. The teams traded goals in the 3rd. So things were tied at 4. In Overtime Michael Ryder scored the winner for Boston. Tucking a shot into the net after a scramble around the crease. Carey Price had made the initial 2 saves but was out of any chance to make the 3rd save. Boston and Montreal have a long history. Since 1927 The Bruins have won the cup 4 times and Montreal has won the cup 22 times.

Will you Vote?

Politics -

It is election time once again. Signs of all sizes are showing up front lawns. In Peterborough, there are many conservative signs. Dean Del Mastro's got a guy in a black SUV hitting up every street corner and intersection hammering up a sign. There are many Betsy McGregor Liberal signs. It also seems the NDP and Dave Nickle are gaining support with more signs showing up on front lawns than in previous elections. The Green party and Michael Bell are getting more representation.

Are more people taking interest in the elections?

It seems most people don't care. Only a small percentage of those eligible vote.

Why?

B/c you don't wanna, or you don't care?...

You wish you could vote for the Prime Minister - don't like the first past the post system?

Voting makes a difference.

You, its your right to vote

Overtime tonight in the NHL

BLOOD, SWEAT & The NHL

Across the league-

Detroit defeats Phoenix 5-3 and the win the series 4 straight-sweep

Pittsburgh beats Tampa in 2nd overtime - Pitt is up 3-1 in series

Wash and New York pound it out in the 2nd overtime and Wash get a turnover infront of the Rangers net. Chimera pots the game winner. Wash lead the series 3-1

buf-Philly-series tied 2-2

In Buffalo -Buff win tonight 1-0 -Miller the shutout.

little bad blood at the end of the game, no punches, no blood, just great playoff hockey

5 game 4's in tonights NHL Playoffs

There are 5 NHL games on tonight - all game 4's

Detroit are the only team in a 3-0 position and could sweep the Phoenix Coyotes tonight with a win.

Washington is up 2-1 in the series on New York

and the same for, the rest of the teams, Pittsburgh is up 2-1 on Tampa,Philly is 2-1 up on Buffalo, Nashville is up 2-1 on Anaheim.

Looking forward to all the action tonight, keep posted on all the scores and insights via this BLOG - Bookmark it baby!

Sharks score 5 in a row

Sharks come from 4-0 deficit to beat the Kings 5-4 and take a 2 games to 1 series lead.

Vancouver flop in game 4

The Canucks beached any chance of sweeping the Hawks - they forgot to show up, not literally. All players were present. But from their performance they my as well of went to the beach.

Vancouver didn't show up tonight and got spanked 7-2. They were out worked in every aspect of the game

The Hawks got a crucial victory to keep the series alive. Chicago finally looked like they were ready to defend their Stanley Cup title.

The series now returns to Vancouver and the Canucks need a win and the Hawks need 3.

nhl Det 4 - Phx 2

Detroit scores early and lead it 2-0 in 1st.

The teams traded goals in the 2 final periods.

Detroit wins it 4-2 and Fillipula had the game winner for the the Red Wings.

Phoenix are now down 3-0 in the series and the talk is that they will be relocating back to Winnipeg once this series is over.

nhl Bruins Win 4-2, still down 2-1 in series

Montreal vs Boston Game 3

Bruins win in Montreal

Boston 4 -Montreal 2-

Montreal is up 2-1 in the best of 7

Bruins had been the the favourite to contend for the final but got down by 2 games after loosing two at home. They come to Montreal and have a big game and get back in the series.

Boston score make it 4-2

Chris Kelly gets the empty netter

Boston 3-2 3rd

Montreal scored again Plekanec, the get within one goal

Bruins are leading 3 -0 in the 2nd

Kostitsyn slides one under Tim Thomas and its 3-1 Bruins.

Kostitsyn back in the line up after resting one game

Story-

In Montreal-The Habs came home up 2-0 in the series. The pre-game news, is Chara is back in the line-up for Boston and Kostitsyn is in for the Habs.

Montreal put on a playoff home opener like no other. The pre-grame ceromony rivaled one that would be reserved for the olympics. It was epic and I almost cried. The flame being skated round the rink and the excitement of the light show and the Habs are at home up 2-0. -Who would of guessed? Only died hard habs fans.

Boston had nothing to loose. After the opening ceremony it seemed all the pressure was on Montreal to win at home. Montreal could go up 3-o in the series but instead it was Boston scoring early and went up 3-0. Montreal would score back to back goals and come within a goal but late in the 3rd Boston would score on the empty net to make it a 4-2 final.

Boston scored first, and that is so important in this series. (As in any play off game) Momentum is everything.

Buf-Philly-Philly wins 4-2

Philly up 2-1 going into late minutes of 2nd

Official -Philly win it 4-2 take a 2 games to 1 lead in the series.

I have my eye on the habs games

Spring, The Nhl and Golf

Sports -

In the NHL

It is PLAYOFF TIME BABY - The Montreal Canadiens take on the Boston Bruins on thusday night - I am pumped. Can you TELL!!!! CAPS LOCKS

And to Boot, the NCAA MARRCH MADNESS just wrapped up. I have gone into sports excitement overload and I sharted my pants/ ok that is gross, I appologize about the potty humour I promise I am only excited and not drunk. I really didn't shart. Shart isn't even a word, but fart is.

Ok lets get the focus back. HOCKEY PLAYOFFS. But spring is also the best time of year. Winter is finally over. Best time of the year! Tomorrow I think i'll have the BBQ on and cook up a steak from the king st deli.

You may wonder, who do I think will win? Because I have come across a new stat. So hear me out.

I believe Vancouver will win the cup this year. Vancouver just hosted the olmpics and every time since 76 in Montreal when a Canadian city hosts the olympics their NHL team win's the Stanley cup the year after. Calgary won the cup in 89

Switch hit To the Masters: Golf

At the onset of the tourny I bet that KJ Choi would win the Masters. He didn't. Instead a south african by the name of ..... ?? Who was he. He came from nowhere I don't even know his name, won. I missed the final round with other work commitments (taxi) so I can't say how the last round looked. But Rory McIlroy what a performance thru 3 eounds, but he couldn't hold on, apparently he shot a 10 on a par 3 and he was out of it after that. He was leading for the most part and I have to say I feel bad that he couldn't pull it off the victory. It would of been nice to see Rory win it, he would of been the youngest to win the green jacket. Tiger Woods is the youngest to win the tournament winning it in 2001, he was 22 he won it again the next year and in 2005. Jack Nicklaus is the oldest to win it at the age of 46 in 1986, I was four years old and don't remember that of course. Nicklaus has won the tournament the most, 6 times, he first won the tournament in 1963. During that year there were civil rights fights, for blacks to be integrated into the school system.

NHL Playoffs

Sports -

Carolina Hurricanes need a win vs Atlanta to make the final playoff spot in the east. If they lose the Rangers will get the last spot. The Montreal Canadians are in the playoffs and will look to upset the Boston Bruins. Boston was my early call to win the East. It will be them and Philly who look like the teams to beat

In the West, Vancouver are the team to beat with the best season record and best goals for and against differential in the league. They will likely face-off vs the defending Stanley Cup Champs the Chicago Blackhawks. The Hawks no longer have their playoff monster Byfuglien who is now with Atlanta.

I believe a team from the East will win the cup this year. Looking forward to the playoffs.

Golf-The Master and Spring

The Masters tournament began today. My prediction: I believe K J Choi will win the Green Jacket this year. For me and many southern Ontari-ans, the Masters represents the beginning of spring and the near arrival of our golf season. I personally don't play as much golf as I'd like to and I wouldn't consider a membership, b/c I just don't have the time to golf. But I still get excited when the Masters are played the same when I was younger and played more, in my teen's. Still, the Masters is a sign of spring, and I get excited to play a game of golf. Good by winter and the melting snow, spring is finally here. I got new golf shoes, my roomate's dog ate my other shoes last year. I played one round in running shoes and hated it. I was used to golf shoes. I was only playing with my father and I played miserably and blamed my bad game for not having the proper traction with my feet. Now I have new shoes and no excuses for nect time with my father. I would still like to beat him one day but he has a much better game than I do. These days, I seem to only play with my relatives. My old golfin buddy moved to New Zealand. I'm sure he is slicing his way from fairway to fairway down there. "Old twinkle toes" we called him on the tee. His feet would shuffle east to west while he drove the ball. The club head would meet its target. Then the slice of the ball and cursing would ensue "Fuck!" . Another friend golfing with us coined the new name for golf, the new name was "Whack-fuck" whack was the sound of the club hitting the ball and the fuck was the first thing said directly after the shot and this happened on numerous occasions throughout the round. My mother wants to try and play golf. Her mother and my grandmother loved to golf. My sister got clubs for christmas last year. I am not sure how much she has golfed.