Jon Jones is still the UFC light heavyweight champion after UFC 152.Few expected otherwise, and Jones has lived up to his billing as one of the best fighters in the world. It wasn’t the easiest performance we’ve ever seen from Jones, and he was very ne…
Jon Jones is still the UFC light heavyweight champion after UFC 152.
Few expected otherwise, and Jones has lived up to his billing as one of the best fighters in the world. It wasn’t the easiest performance we’ve ever seen from Jones, and he was very nearly submitted by Vitor Belfort in the first round, but he got the job done.
What’s next for the champion? Bleacher Report’s Jeremy Botter is live in Toronto, and he takes a look at what could be next for the 25-year-old phenom after his big win over Belfort. Will the apparent arm injury suffered by Jones during Belfort’s armbar attempt keep him on the shelf? And if not, what’s next for the man many consider to be one of the best in the game?
Check out the video above, and leave your thoughts in the comments below.
The main event of UFC 152 in Toronto on Saturday featured a light heavyweight championship showdown between Jon Jones and Vitor Belfort, a match most of the MMA world considered little more than a formality. Jones was supposed to walk through Belf…
The main event of UFC 152 in Toronto on Saturday featured a light heavyweight championship showdown between Jon Jones and VitorBelfort, a match most of the MMA world considered little more than a formality.
Jones was supposed to walk through Belfort, an aged middleweight who had not competed at 205 pounds for over five years.
On one hand, the expectation that Jones would dominate the fight was realized—he controlled his opponent for three-and-a-half rounds before ending the match via submission. On the other hand, Belfort proved to be the most dangerous opponent Jones has ever faced.
The champion began the night by shooting for an early takedown. While Jones was looking to drop some elbows from the guard, Belfort shifted his hips, swung up his legs and sunk in a deep armbar.
Jones pulled, pried and lifted Belfort up, slamming him down to loosen the grip. After flailing desperately to get free, Jones improbably escaped the most dangerous situation he has faced as a mixed martial artist.
The remainder of the round was nothing but Jones’ trademark elbow-heavy ground and pound, which badly lacerated the Phenom’s face.
Round 2 was more or less an exhibition of Jones’ wingspan. Using punches and kicks to batter his overmatched opponent, Jones kept Belfort at bay for the better part of five minutes before taking him to the mat, resuming his ground and pound.
In the fight’s third round, Jones blasted Belfort with a kick to the ribs that laid the Phenom out. After Jones let his opponent back up, Belfort shifted his strategy and began pulling guard. He did so twice before the round was out.
Round 4 followed the mold of Jones striking at Belfort while remaining far outside his opponent’s range. Belfort, in desperation mode now, pulled his opponent on top of him once more. This time he did not get up.
After advancing to the crucifix position, Jones grabbed a kimura and forced Belfort to tap. Though it didn’t take him long to sink in the fight-ending move, the finish was a long time coming.
After nearly pulling off the upset with an early armbar attempt, Belfort continued to look for a submission from his guard throughout the remainder of the match, despite suffering sharp elbows and short punches every time he tried.
Commentators Joe Rogan and Mike Goldberg expressed disapproval at Belfort‘s inclination to pull guard, but in the fighter’s defense, he wasn’t even getting close on the feet.
The outcome was written on the wall after it became evident Belfort would not be able to get inside, nor replicate the offense from his guard that he exhibited early in the fight. The champion’s length was the decisive factor in the match, proving too much for the smaller fighter to handle.
With the victory, Jones retains his UFC light heavyweight crown. It was another dominant performance, this time highlighting his physical attributes more than his considerable talent.
Both on the feet and in Belfort‘s guard, Jones’ leverage kept Belfort on the defensive, making it nothing but a matter of time before victory showed up.
Another impressive win for the pound-for-pound contender.
At UFC 152 in Toronto, Jon Jones submitted Vitor Belfort at 54 seconds of the fourth round to retain his UFC light heavyweight title.Though it was an americana that cinched the fight for Jones, a failed armbar from Belfort may prove more memorable. In …
At UFC 152 in Toronto, Jon Jones submitted Vitor Belfort at 54 seconds of the fourth round to retain his UFC light heavyweight title.
Though it was an americana that cinched the fight for Jones, a failed armbar from Belfort may prove more memorable. In the first round, Belfor locked on an armbar and appeared to have Jones’ arm hyper-extended.
“He got that armbar in every way, shape and form,” Jones told broadcaster Joe Rogan after the fight. “I’ve never had my arm pop like that before, but I’ve worked too hard to give up…I was honestly waiting for it to break. I wasn’t going to tap. I’ve never felt that way before.”
Almost immediately after the hold was relinquished, Jones opened a cut over Belfort’s right eye. In that moment, Belfort’s momentum began to leak away and the fight began to swing inexorably to Jones.
In the second round, Belfort began to slow down. Belfort also appeared to focus on defense at the expense of offense, most notably his trademark power flurries. Belfort seemed hesitant to exchange, preferring to clinch with Jones or pull guard.
What we’ll remember about this fight:
Man, that armbar attempt. If Jones had tapped—and no one would have blinked if he had—this would have been the biggest upset in UFC history.
What we learned about Vitor Belfort:
He probably earned a free pass with MMA fans forever.
If you believe in moral victories, then a loser can’t be much more victorious than Vitor Belfort at UFC 152. One of the largest main-event underdogs in UFC history defied the odds by simply getting Jones in trouble. It was probably the deepest singular moment of trouble Jones has ever faced inside the Octagon.
Still, Belfort almost seemed to concede the fight when the armbar failed. It would have been great to watch Belfort challenge Jones with boxing.
What we learned about Jon Jones:
He doesn’t tap. At least not easily. Jones himself admitted he had never been put in that position in the cage. And you have to give credit where it’s due—that took guts.
What’s next for Belfort:
Back to your regularly scheduled program, I guess. He’s been a good soldier on this thing, though, so he deserves a quality matchup. I’d vote for the winner between Alan Belcher and Yushin Okami at UFC 153. Winner gets a shot at one of Anderson Silva‘s annual middleweight title defenses.
Demetrious Johnson has defeated Joseph Benavidez at UFC 152 to become the first flyweight champion in promotion history. Johnson had previously defeated Ian McCall in the semifinal to earn a chance at the belt. It’s the first UFC loss for Benavidez. He…
Demetrious Johnson has defeated Joseph Benavidez at UFC 152 to become the first flyweight champion in promotion history. Johnson had previously defeated Ian McCall in the semifinal to earn a chance at the belt.
It’s the first UFC loss for Benavidez. He had won all three of his fights since moving to the company. That included his impressive flyweight tournament victory over Yasuhiro Urushitani to reach the final. He wasn’t able to capitalize on the unique opportunity, however.
The two fighters have been on similar paths, both suffering their last loss to Dominick Cruz before getting an opportunity to challenge in the newest division. So, it’s no surprise they ended up fighting each other to become the inaugural champ.
It was Johnson who rose to the occasion. There was a lot of pressure on both fighters. Not only was the bout to become champion, but it came on one of the most anticipated cards of the year due to the presence of megastar Jon Jones.
Johnson actually needed two chances at McCall to advance from the semifinal. They fought to a draw in the first matchup, and the 26-year-old American won the second meeting by unanimous decision. Those battles prepared him for UFC 152.
Now comes the tough part. He transitions from the hunter to the hunted. As the champion, everybody in the newly formed division will be trying to take him down, and he must be prepared to get every opponent’s best shot.
Some fighters handle it better than others. Johnson has shown a lot of confidence, which bodes well for his chances of remaining at the top for awhile.
Even though Benavidez lost, he still has a bright future. He should be a constant presence in the flyweight title picture and is definitely a fighter worth watching.
But for now, Johnson earned his chance to be champion.
Bleacher Report’s Jeremy Botter caught up with Marcus Brimage after his win over Jimy Hettes at UFC 152 in Toronto. The win marks Brimage’s second big win in a row over a rising star after beating Maximo Blanco earlier this year.Brimage discusses …
Bleacher Report’s Jeremy Botter caught up with Marcus Brimage after his win over Jimy Hettes at UFC 152 in Toronto.
The win marks Brimage’s second big win in a row over a rising star after beating Maximo Blanco earlier this year.
Brimage discusses his tactics against Hettes—which involved plenty of body punches—and reveals the geek mysteries behind the odd headset he wore to the cage.
Cub Swanson is one of the top guys at 145 pounds, and in what once seemed like a shallow division, the featherweight division is now one of most top-heavy divisions in the UFC.Swanson had a chance to move up in the division at UFC 152 when he faced tal…
Cub Swanson is one of the top guys at 145 pounds, and in what once seemed like a shallow division, the featherweight division is now one of most top-heavy divisions in the UFC.
Swanson had a chance to move up in the division at UFC 152 when he faced talented Charles Oliveira. With yet another knockout win, it’s safe to say he’ll be on his way up.
Coming off knockout wins against Ross Pearson and George Roop, Swanson was on one of the best rolls of his MMA career. Tonight, Pearson impressed again with a lethal combination that finished Oliveira in the first round.
So, what’s next for the exciting featherweight?
Swanson has lost to both Ricardo Lamas and Chad Mendes in his career, so it’s likely a rematch won’t be booked. Therefore, two opponents come to mind: Chan Sung Jung or Erik Koch.
Chan Sung Jung recently underwent surgery and will be out of action until early 2013, but upon his return, Jung could find himself matched with Swanson. Both men have looked top notch in their past few bouts, therefore a fight between the two men will really show which one is the true contender at 145.
On the flip side, Erik Koch has had some terrible luck lately. First, his title shot was forced to be rebooked following an injury to champion Jose Aldo. Then, Koch was forced to pull out of the fight scheduled for UFC 153 and was replaced by former lightweight champion Frankie Edgar, creating a superfight. Last week, Aldo was forced to pull out once again, causing the fight with Edgar to be postponed.
With all that mess, it appears Koch will not receive his title shot, therefore a matchup with Swanson would make sense.
Either way, Swanson has transformed into one of the must-watch fighters in the featherweight division, and I, personally, can’t wait to see him again.
The main event of 