MMA: ‘Bones’ Jones retains UFC title over Belfort via tapout

Jon ‘Bones’ Jones is regarded as one of the very best fighters in the sport of mixed martial arts but he has been in hot water as of late when his refusal to fight Chael Sonnen led to the cancellation of UFC 151. The defending UFC light heavyweight champion walked into the Air Canada Centre, Saturday (Sunday, PHL time) at UFC 152, hoping to earn back some of the respect he lost. With his dominant fourth round tap out win over Vitor Belfort, Jones did exactly that. Jones took down Belfort easily in the first round and started raining down elbows on the Brazilian fighter. Belfort caught Jones with an armbar attempt late in the first round but Jones was able to escape it. More of the same happened in the second and third rounds where Jones would land punches and elbows while on top of Belfort. The Brazilian jiu jitsu expert pulled guard twice in the fight, but he was unable to trap Jones for another submission attempt. In the fourth round, Jones scored another takedown and started working on Belfort’s arm. With barely a minute left in the round, Jones locked in an americana and made Belfort tap out. “He got that armbar in every way, shape, and form,” said Jones in the post-fight interview. “I was not going to tap out, but I've never felt that before." Jones looked pleased with his performance but he also knows he still has a lot of work to do, especially when it comes to facing southpaws. Jones also won Submission of the Night honors, earning him a $65,000 bonus.   On the undercard, history was made as the UFC crowned its first flyweight champion. Demetrious Johnson and Joseph Benavidez put on a five-round show with Johnson earning a split decision victory in the end. Popular British fighter Michael Bisping was also victorious as he dispatched the game, but overmatched Brian Stann via decision. The only fighter who holds a victory over Jones also stepped into the octagon for UFC 152. Matt Hamill returned to action after a year of absence and defeated Roger Hollett, also by decision. Cub Swanson also scored a huge victory, winning by knockout over Carlos Oliveira, connecting with a two punch body-head combination to stop the Brazilian. Swanson won another $65,000 as he was given the Knockout of the Night award. - AMD, GMA News