Despite all of the recent controversy surrounding the cancellation of UFC 151, UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones showed what he was made of Saturday night when he defended his belt against Vitor Belfort.
“Bones” easily battered the smaller, battle-worn veteran, but for roughly 20 seconds in the first round, it looked like “The Phenom” may pull off the upset of the century.
After being taken down with ease, everyone expected Belfort to take a beating as Jones rained down punches and elbows from the top position. And he did … but not until after he pulled off a beautiful armbar that completely caught Jones, and everyone watching, off guard.
At one point, the tap seemed academic as Jones’ right elbow seemed to hyperextend. Yet, somehow, someway, the champion persevered and escaped the deep armbar. Afterwards, the New York native admitted that there was a good chance he suffered nerve damage in his right bicep by refusing to tap out.
Jones showed the heart and skills of a champion, thoroughly picking Belfort apart for three plus rounds before submitting him with an Americana, a move rarely seen in MMA and typically reserved for the jiu-jitsu mats.
With the victory, Jones has successfully defended his belt four times, one shy of tying the UFC light heavyweight record set by Tito Ortiz, and has defeated four former champions in a row.
One of the most polarizing names in the sport now holds five consecutive wins over former champions in Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, Lyoto Machida, Rashad Evans and Belfort. Who’s left to take out Jones at 205-pounds?
Dan Henderson, a former PRIDE and Strikeforce champion, is capable of dropping anyone with a big right hand, even at 42-years-old. However, as great as “Hendo” has been throughout his career, he has looked borderline helpless off his back and it’s tough to believe Jones wouldn’t put him there at some point in a potential title fight.
His long-time friend and training partner, Chael Sonnen, brings world-class wrestling and a relentless pace to the table…but given how he faired in his two meetings against UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva, is there really any doubt that Jones would find a way to win?
Two up-and-coming prospects in the form of Glover Teixeira and Alexander Gustaffson could give the 25-year-old title holder a tough fight, but both fighters lack a win over a consensus top 10 opponent to really know for sure.
Jones should defend the 205-pound strap one more time before moving up the UFC’s heavyweight division and see if he can become just the third fighter in UFC history to wear gold in two different weight classes.
We know Jones is one of the greatest of all time by now, let’s give the light heavyweight division a chance to be interesting again someday soon.