Jones overcomes early trouble to submit Belfort at UFC 152

TORONTO - Jon Jones successfully defended his Ultimate Fighting Championship light heavyweight title, surviving an early scare to submit Vitor Belfort in the fourth round at UFC 152 on Saturday.

Belfort came close to finishing Jones with an armbar in the first round, but the champion's varied attack took a toll on the veteran challenger.

Unable to get his striking game going, Belfort continually tried to take the fight to the ground where he could use his jiujitsu. But he paid a price and finally fell victim to an Americana submission 54 seconds into the round.

In the co-main event at the Air Canada Centre, Demetrious Johnson won a split decision - 48-47, 47-48, 49-46 - over Joseph Benavidez to become the UFC's first flyweight champion.

Jones (17-1) took down Belfort 30 seconds after the opening bell, and the Brazilian responded with an armbar attempt that looked dangerous. Jones slammed Belfort (21-10) to the canvas and eventually wriggled free as the crowd began to chant "Vitor! Vitor!"

"I've never had my arm pop like that before," said Jones, who said he would have let his arm break rather than tap out.

Jones remained on top and began to throw elbows, which cut Belfort and forced the doctor to have a look at the battered challenger between rounds.

Belfort came out punching in the second, but he had a hard time penetrating Jones' reach. The champion began to pick away at Belfort, who pulled guard later in the round to bring the fight back to the ground. Belfort absorbed more elbows as he tried to get into position for another submission attempt.

Jones put down Belfort with a kick to the ribs in the third. This time, Jones let him get back up only to have Belfort pull guard again.

"Go with your punches if you want to win this fight," Belfort's cornerman yelled between rounds.

He did, but Belfort pulled guard again in the fourth, and Jones went to work with more elbows before cranking Belfort's arm back and forcing the tapout.

"That's why he's a champion," said Belfort, who said he had hurt his rib in training.

Johnson (16-2-1) beat Benavidez in the battle of the 125 pounders. Benavidez looked to press, but the faster Johnson wore him down. Benavidez had a cut on his left eye in the third round, as well as redness on his legs from Johnson kicks.

Benavidez (16-3) did get Johnson down in the fourth round but failed to take advantage. He tried for a choke and ended up having to fight off a leg lock. Johnson opened the fifth with two quick takedowns.

"I was a little shocked," Johnson said about the split decision. "I've still got to prove a lot of things."

Featherweight Cub Swanson (18-5) had one of the card's highlights, an eye-popping knockout over highly touted Charles Oliveira thanks to a clubbing right to the temple of the American-based Brazilian.

Oliveira (16-3 with one no contest) stood still for several seconds and then toppled, prompting referee Yves Lavigne to step in at 2:40 of the first round. Oliveira left the cage with the support of a cornerman.

Swanson had hurt him with a shot to the liver seconds before.

English middleweight Michael Bisping (24-4) showed his all-around game in winning unanimously 29-28 over Brian Stann (12-5).