UFC 152 marked a first in the history of the mixed martial arts promotion. It was the first replacement event for another event – re: UFC 151. Well, this is really only a half truth, as UFC 152 was already in place before cancelling UFC 151; however, the main event was in fact a replacement main event. Now that we’re clear on that little detail, let’s avoid all of the history behind UFC 151 and talk about what everyone was really taking about at UFC 152 – Did Jon Jones victory really matter?
Unfortunately, Toronto fans were not to be awarded with the same heads up challenge to Jon Jones that was promised to fans at UFC 151 with Dan Henderson. Instead Toronto fans were given Vitor Belfort as a contender. While dangerous in his time, Belfort has had few fights in the UFC since returning to the Octagon, and even fewer at light heavyweight. He clearly had no place fighting for the championship at 205 lbs.
Vitor Belfort really only had a “Matt-Serras-chance” of winning the fight versus Jones. Side-to-side Jones outclasses Belfort on almost every key aspect of the game, as such it should be surprising to few to know that Jon Jones submitted Belfort in the fourth round of last night’s light heavyweight title bout. In all fairness, Belfort did put up an admirable performance – and did have the champ in trouble on the ground a few times; however, I dont think anyone was taken aback by the final result.
So what are the implications of this victory for Jones? To be honest, nothing really. As I mentioned prviously, Belfort had no real place fighting Jones in the first place. A large part of me firmly believes that Belfort was given the Jones fight purely so Jones would live to fight another day as champion for Dan Henderson.
For Jones to fight Henderson is important for the UFC. Once Jones has defeated Henderson he has realistically cleaned out the division, and will move into re-match territory with most of the divisions elite. With Jones having cleared out the division it opens things up for the “superfight” possibilities that Dana White has been alluding to as of late – namely between Anderson Silva and Jon Jones (although Georges St. Pierre’s name has also been thrown into this mix). It’s interesting to note, that no one has been hearing as many outright declines in reference to this superfight from Anderson Silva lately, as well.
This superfight could be moving into reality territory sooner than a lot may think. It’s imperiative for the UFC to have this fight soon for two key reasons:
- Anderson Silva is getting old: He needs to fight before he starts to become irrelevant, and people can use the – “well, he was well past his prime” excuse if Silva was to lose.
- The UFC needs a ratings boost: North American TV viewership and pay-per-viewership have both been down recently. As such Dana White needs something that he can cash in on, and he’s been holding this chip back from quite sometime, you kind of get the sense that he may be ready to put it in play.
When all is said and done about last night’s main event, it was an entertaining fight and an interesting match-up; however, the bout had no real long-term implications for Jones. For Belfort it would have re-ignited his floundering MMA career. My only hope is that we get to Henderson vs. Jones soon, because THAT will be a fight to watch!
