TORONTO -- On the bright side, Vitor Belfort lasted far longer than anyone expected.
Still, it wasn't enough for the heavy underdog to unseat UFC light-heavyweight champion Jon Jones, who rebounded from a turbulent few months outside the cage for a gutsy performance inside it.
Jones (17-1 MMA, 11-1 UFC) survived a first-round scare and then battered Belfort (21-10, 10-6) over the following rounds to pick up a fourth-round submission victory at UFC 152.
The pay-per-view event took place Saturday at Toronto's Air Canada Centre.
UFC 152 GALLERY: All the action from Toronto
Jones, one of the sport's top pound-for-pound fighters, entered the cage for the first time since a May DWI arrest and a subsequent clash with UFC officials. Jones initially was slated to fight Dan Henderson on Sept. 1 at UFC 151 in Las Vegas. However, when Jones turned down a fight with injury replacement Chael Sonnen on nine days' notice, UFC officials canceled the event outright and publicly lambasted Jones while pinning the blame on him.
The UFC 151 cancellation, which prompted fans and even fellow fighters to turn on Jones, ultimately led the 25-year-old to UFC 152, where he was expected to fight Lyoto Machida, who later turned down the fight. With few viable options, UFC officials ultimately turned to 35-year-old vet Belfort, a former UFC champion who -- despite name recognition -- hadn't fought at light heavyweight in five years.
AS IT HAPPENED: Relive all the bouts at UFC 152
Oddsmakers opened the fight with Jones a 13-to-1 favorite, which made Belfort's nearly successful armbar attempt in the first round all the more shocking. Jones, though, escaped the submission hold and then battered Belfort for the next four rounds. When Belfort remained at distance, Jones chopped him down with front and side kicks to his knees and shins. When he moved in close, Jones popped him with knees and punches. And when Belfort pulled guard, Jones battered him with stinging elbows from the top that left the challenger's face a bloody mess.
The mounting damage ultimately became too much for Belfort, who tapped out from an americana submission 54 seconds into the fourth round.
Jones, who's now defeated five consecutive ex-UFC champs, admits he was in trouble in the first round.
"He got that armbar in every way, shape and form," said Jones, who cradled the arm after the fight. "I've never had my arm pop like that before, and I don't know. I felt it, but I worked too hard to give up. I honestly was waiting for it to break. I was not going to tap out."
Jones, who was booed repeatedly during press and fan events throughout the week, said the relief of a win helped erase some of the negativity from recent months.
"It feels great," said Jones, who's now one win short of Tito Ortiz's record (five) for consecutive UFC light-heavyweight title defenses. "There is a quote that says adversity is a teacher of a great general. I've got a lot of great mentors in my life. ... I really feel like a stronger young man standing in front of you today."
'Mighty Mouse' wins inaugural flyweight title
In UFC 152's co-headliner, Demetrious "Mighty Mouse" Johnson (16-2-1, 4-1-1) narrowly edged Joseph Benavidez (16-3, 3-1) to stake claim to the inaugural UFC flyweight championship.
The UFC's eighth and latest weight class, which the organization adopted earlier this year, is the smallest one, but with the spotlight on them, the 125-pounders delivered in a big way.
Johnson and Benavidez, who both had success in the 135-pound division despite being undersized, kept a frantic pace through the five-round fight, which concluded a four-man championship tournament that kicked off in March. However, as the fight entered the later rounds, Johnson landed more frequently, mixed in some takedowns, and avoided the type of counter shots that proved effective for Benavidez through the middle rounds.
In a fight that easily could have gone either way, Johnson ultimately got the split-decision nod from the judges via 48-47, 47-48 and 49-46 scores. (MMAjunkie.com scored it 48-47 for Benavidez.)
"I was a little shocked," Johnson said of the split decision. "In the standup, I felt like I got him here. ... I took him down more. I got his back."
*****
Full UFC 152 results
Jon Jones def. Vitor Belfort via submission (Americana) - Round 4, 0:54 - to retain UFC light heavyweight title
Demetrious Johnson def. Joseph Benavidez via split decision (48-47, 47-48, 49-46) - to become inaugural flyweight champion
Michael Bisping def. Brian Stann via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Matt Hamill def. Roger Hollett via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Cub Swanson def. Charles Oliveira via knockout (punches) - Round 1, 2:40
Vinny Magalhaes def. Igor Pokrajac via submission (armbar) - Round 2, 1:14
T.J. Grant def. Evan Dunham via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 29-28)
Sean Pierson def. Lance Benoist via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Marcus Brimage def. Jimy Hettes via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Seth Baczynski def. Simeon Thoresen via knockout (punch) - Round 1, 4:10
Mitch Gagnon def. Walel Watson via submission (rear-naked choke) - Round 1, 1:09
Kyle Noke def. Charlie Brenneman via TKO (strikes) - Round 1, 0:45
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