Jon Jones feels the pressure of Vitor Belfort’s armbar. Photo by UFC/publicity
Last Saturday in Toronto, Canada, Vitor Belfort came a hair short of taking everyone by surprise and submitting light heavyweight champion Jon Jones in the UFC 152 main event.
As reported here on GRACIEMAG.com last Friday, the Jiu-Jitsu black belt had indeed put work into his guard, and it showed in the first-round armbar he slapped on the champion. Jones did manage to break free, though, through grit and a pinch of luck.
“I would rate the performance… I think it was a good performance but there was definitely a lot of room to improve,” said Jones, with his arm in a sling, at the post-fight press conference.
“Vitor had me second-guessing myself. I’ve just got to get more comfortable in the Octagon. I work so hard on my wrestling and so hard on my standup. I definitely need to embrace Jiu-Jitsu more and practice what I preach, being a true mixed martial artist and embracing all martial arts. I have to admit I don’t practice my Jiu-Jitsu every day,” he added.
Yesterday, here on GRACIEMAG.com, you read Gilbert Durinho’s account of why the armbar didn’t pan out.
This Sunday, the brothers Ryron and Rener Gracie delved into the ins and outs of the move with the help of “Modern Family” television show’s Ed O’Neill. Check out the video they put together:
UFC 152
TORONTO, CANADA
SEPTEMBER 22, 2012
Jon Jones subbed Vitor Belfort via americana in R4;
Demetrious Johnson defeated Joseph Benavidez via split decision;
Michael Bisping defeated Brian Stann via unanimous judges’ decision;
Matt Hamill defeated Roger Hollett via unanimous judges’ decision;
Cub Swanson defeated Charles do Bronx via KO in R1;
Vinny Pezão subbed Igor Pokrajac via armbar in R2;
TJ Grant defeated Evan Dunham via unaniomous decision;
Sean Pierson defeated Lance Benoist via unanimous decision;
Marcus Brimage defeated Jimy Hettes via unanimous decision;
Seth Baczynski defeated Simeon Thoresen via KO in R1;
Mitch Gagnon subbed Walel Watson via rear-naked choke in R1;
Kyle Noke defeated Charlie Brenneman via KO in R1.