UFC 152 is in the books. It was a card headlined by a light heavyweight title fight between Jon Jones and Vitor Belfort. It was Jones’ fourth title defense and one of the most technically dominant performances of his young career.
The fight almost came to a surprising end in the first round when Vitor Belfort locked up an armbar that had the champ’s arm hyperextended. Jones was able to tough through the awful position and dominate the challenger on the ground with vicious elbows.
From there, the fight was very much like a skilled surgeon cutting up and rearranging a patient’s face. Actually that’s exactly what it was like. Jones mashed up Belfort’s face for three more rounds before getting the finish.
The end of the fight came when Belfort pulled guard and Jones lit him up with elbows from the top. These were enough to soften up the champion and open up for an Americana finish.
From the Bleacher Report play by play:
Vitor Belfort vs. Jon Jones
Round 4: Vitor lands a head kick and then lands several uppercuts from a clinch. Vitor then pulls guard and Jones is landing elbows from the top. Jones locks in an americana and forces the tap.
Relive the fight in this short video highlight courtesy of ESPN.
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