Sport
Jon “Bones” Jones beats Vitor Belfort to retain title
UFC light heavyweight champion at the pre-fight press conference. PHOTO/Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Getty Images
Jon “Bones” Jones, the UFC’s light heavyweight champion defended his title for the fourth time, submitting Brazilian Vitor “The Phenom” Belfort in the fourth round of the main event of UFC 152 in Toronto.
Jones, who at 24 years old became the youngest-ever UFC champion, extended a winning streak unparalleled in company history. The first fighter to win four straight matches over current or former champions – Mauricio Rua, Quinton Jackson, Lyoto Machida and Rashad Evans – the now-25 year old boosted that streak to five on Saturday night. In the main event of UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre, Jones (17-1) beat another former champion, Vitor Belfort (21-10) at 54 of the fourth-round in a physical, high-energy main event.
Jones left the cage with his title but also with a reminder of how tough a win it was. With an armbar in the first round, Belfort came closer than any previous challenger to ending the reign of Jones.
“I’ve never had my arm pop like that before,” said Jones, holding his injured right arm.
“I honestly was waiting for it to break.”