UFC’s Hominick eyes two titles: Champ, Papa
Even if Mark Hominick didn’t have a fight Saturday to prepare for, this would be the most important week of his life.
The 28-year-old Ultimate Fighting Championship star and his wife are expecting their first child, a daughter, any day now.
He just so happens to be also getting ready for his first UFC title shot in front of more than 55,000 fans on the first major mixed martial arts card in his native Ontario.
"There’s going to be no other time in my life that’s going to be this busy, this hectic and with this much buildup," said Hominick, who will fight Jose Aldo for the featherweight title at UFC 129 in Toronto. "I’m just ready to go and take all that momentum and carry it to the cage."
Hominick will undoubtedly have the largest crowd in MMA history squarely behind him in Saturday’s bout 90 minutes from his home in London, Ontario.
He’ll need every advantage he can get against featherweight champion Aldo, who, despite making his UFC debut, is widely considered one of the best pound-for-pound fighters.
"Jose is definitely well-deserving of the moniker of being one of the best fighters in the world, and the best in the weight class," Hominick said. "But everyone in there is so intimidated by what he’s doing. I think I’m going to go in there and I’m going to be the one guy that takes a step forward instead of backward against him."
The Toronto-area media have focused a great deal of attention on their local star, who will fight in the first major MMA event in Ontario. Hominick even threw out the first pitch at a Blue Jays game last week at Rogers Centre, the venue for Saturday’s fight.
"I’m just trying to take it all in. This is an experience that I’ll look back on and say, ‘Wow, that was a crazy time,’ especially with my wife being due," he said.
Because of his wife’s pregnancy, Hominick changed his training routine. He typically spends the final month of camp in Las Vegas working with trainer Shawn Tompkins. This time, Tompkins went to Ontario to work with Hominick so he could stay near his family.
"Everyone in my life knows the opportunity that’s in front of me, so it’s been a huge, strong support system that I have behind me," he said.
Hominick, a kick-boxing specialist, has won five straight bouts, including a 1:28 knockout of George Roop in his UFC debut in January. With the win, Hominick earned a shot at the title. Two of his five wins during the streak have come by submission, and Hominick might need to showcase his all-around game Saturday.
Aldo has looked nearly invincible since joining World Extreme Cagefighting, which fully merged with the UFC late last year. He has knocked out seven of his eight opponents and dominated former champion Urijah Faber for a decision victory in the one fight that went the distance.
Though he hasn’t had to show much of his ground game, Aldo does have a jiu-jitsu black belt. Hominick said he respects all aspects of Aldo’s skills.
"Jose is one of these fighters — he’s not dangerous in one area, he’s dangerous in every area," he said.
So is Hominick, who said he is unconcerned with all the distractions he has faced leading up to the biggest week of his life.
"It’s a bit overwhelming and I have a busy schedule, but I’m good at delegating myself to following a straight guideline," Hominick said.
That could help him become champion. It should also serve him well in fatherhood.
Contact reporter Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5509.
