Mark “The Machine” Hominick is looking to return to action in December of 2011, at the Canadian event which will either take place at Montreal or Toronto. If it does in fact take place in Toronto, which hosted 55,000 fierce fans in April, that would make for back to back Toronto shows for Mark Hominick, who lost a decision that evening against UFC featherweight king Jose Aldo. Despite the defeat, it’s been rather astounding how large a fanbase Hominick garnered in coming up short in that fight. In a mixed martial arts and sporting landscape where you’re only as good as your last performance and winning is paramount, it’s real nice to see that even the harshest of critics could be swayed by the immense heart and talent displayed by Hominick at UFC 129 against Aldo. There were some amazing moments during that UFC 129 card in Toronto, but one of the most memorable ones was the deafening cheers emanating from the 55,000 strong in the Rogers Center as every punch Hominick landed in the 5th round against Jose Aldo. Beaten and battered with a monstrosity of haematoma on his forehead, Hominick pushed hard during the 5th stanza and took the round in dramatic fashion, despite losing the bout via decision. With every blow he landed the crowd roared in an attempt to help will Hominick to victory, and for the first time in his career “The Machine” Hominick utilized the palpable and immense emotion in the stadium that night.

But before Hominick gets another crack at the UFC featherweight belt, the latest and most successful newcomer to 145 will have his shot as Kenny Florian takes on Jose Aldo at UFC 136 in October in Houston, Texas. That fight should be another dandy featherweight battle, as Florian is a highly talented, intelligent and driven man. “KenFlo” has felt the heat of being called a choker in big fights by UFC president Dana White, and the Boston native also realizes that this 3rd opportunity for a UFC title (1st against Sean Sherk at lightweight, 2nd against BJ Penn at lightweight) may be his last. The stakes have never been higher for Florian. Aldo, who was humanized for the first time in a long while against Hominick, is itching to get back to his domination in the cage against Florian. Arguably being the most talent ever to date in MMA condensed into a 145 pound frame, Jose Aldo has drawn comparisons to Anderson Silva. Big praise coming from the fact Silva ranks number one on most pound for pound fighter lists as well as lists trying to decipher who the greatest mixed martial artist of all-time is. UFC 136 promises to be an amazing card with not only Aldo and Florian duking it out, but lightweights Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard settling their score for the UFC title. Perennial trash talker but highly capable Chael Sonnen takes on Brian Stann and Melvin Guillard is rumored to be fighting Joe Lauzon, in what is assured to be one of the most explosive first rounds in recent lightweight memory. In the meanwhile, we can anticipate a return by Hominick to the UFC Octagon in December for what will be UFC 140 at the Air Canada Center in Toronto, or the Bell Centre in Montreal. Either way with the rapid Canadian MMA faithful, it’s an assured sell-out no matter who headlines the event.

Many thanks to David U.K. from Cue Digital Media for coordinating the interview.

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