TORONTO -- Regardless of the controversy that swirls around Jon Jones and the drama that seems to follow him, none of that seems to matter when Jones steps into the octagon.
Faced with a severe public backlash and the wrath of UFC president Dana White for his decision to turn down a UFC 151 fight, Jones had no problem clearing his mind and performing under the bright lights. Taking little damage and inflicting plenty on his opponent, Jones systematically wore down Vitor Belfort en route to a fourth-round Americana submission.
The finish came at 54 seconds of the round.
"It feels great," Jones said. "There's a saying that adversity is a teacher of a great general."
The victory capped a trying stretch for the UFC's most polarizing champion, who was also arrested and charged with a DUI earlier this year.
Though he was booed as he entered the octagon, fans cheered the finish, a submission against a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt.
Jones did have to overcome a scary moment in the first round. He took Belfort down in the opening seconds, and Belfort quickly transitioned to an armbar. It appeared as though his arm hyperextended but Jones refused to tap.
"I honestly was waiting for it to break," he said. "I was not going to tap out."
Belfort said he heard the arm "cracking and popping," but credited the champion for his perseverance.
"This lion is tough, he holds himself up very well," he said.
It was a strong effort from Belfort, who took the fight on just over one months' notice after Jones was moved from the canceled UFC 151 event. Belfort, who was the UFC light-heavyweight champion for a short stretch in 2004, was bidding to capture the belt after a period of 3,158 days, a stretch that would have been the longest span ever between two UFC title reigns.
But after his arm bar attempt was escaped by Jones, it was mostly downhill for him. Jones beat him both standing and on the ground, dropping the Brazilian slugger with a body kick in the third, although Belfort managed to hold for the rest of the round.
Belfort landed a hard left early in the fourth as his conditioning held up better than most expected, but Jones quickly took down, moved to the crucifix position, and wrenched Belfort's arm with the fight-ending submission.
It was the fourth successful title defense for the 25-year-old, who is just one shy of Tito Ortiz's divisional record.
Jones is now 17-1 while Belfort fell to 19-9.
- UFC 152 Photos Jon Jones is almost caught in an armbar by Vitor Belfort during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos Vitor Belfort enters the Octagon during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos Jon Jones gets ready for his fight during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos Jon Jones gets ready for his fight during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photo Vitor Belfort is checked out after the first round during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos Vitor Belfort is kicked in the head by Jon Jones during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos Jon Jones gets some advice between rounds during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos Jon Jones tries to finish Vitor Belfort during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos Brittney Palmer signals the beginning of the fourth round during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos Jon Jones fends off a leg kick by Vitor Belfort during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos Jon Jones kicks Vitor Belfort during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos Jon Jones pulls off an Americana submission against Vitor Belfort during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos Jon Jones is awarded the win over Vitor Belfort during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos Jon Jones celebrates his UFC 152 victory during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos Vitor Belfort is attended to after his fight during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos Jon Jones celebrates after defending his title during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos Jon Jones and Vitor Belfort chat after their fight during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos Jon Jones poses with his team after his win at UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos Jon Jones holds his injured arm after his win at UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos Demetrious Johnson gets ready for his fight during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos Joseph Benavidez gets ready for his fight during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos Demetrious Johnson and Joseph Benavidez battle each other during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos Joseph Benavidez punches Demetrious Johnson during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos Joseph Benavidez punches Demetrious Johnson during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos Demetrious Johnson punches Joseph Benavidez during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos Joseph Benavidez tries to take down Demetrious Johnson during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos Demetrious Johnson tries to hit Joseph Benavidez during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos Joseph Benavidez and Demetrious Johnson exchange shots during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos Joseph Benavidez hits Demetrious Johnson during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos Joseph Benavidez tries to submit Demetrious Johnson during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos Demetrious Johnson slams Joseph Benavidez during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos Demetrious Johnson earns the decision during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos Demetrious Johnson becomes the first UFC flyweight champ during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos Demetrious Johnson celebrates with his team during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos Michael Bisping is pumped up before his fight during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos Brian Stann gets ready for his fight during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos Fans make their way to their seats at the Air Canada Centre on Sat, Sept. 12, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos Michael Bisping drills Brian Stann during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos Michael Bisping hits Brian Stann during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos Brian Stann kicks Michael Bisping during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos Michael Bisping hits Brian Stann with a left during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos Brian Stann connects with a right during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos Michael Bisping takes Brian Stann down during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos Michael Bisping and Brian Stann exchange shots during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos Michael Bisping and Brian Stann hug during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos Michael Bisping earns the decision win during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos Charles Oliveira gets ready for his fight during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos Cub Swanson stares across the Octagon during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos Cub Swanson tries to fend off the takedown by Charles Oliveira during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos Cub Swanson delivers a potent body shot during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos Cub Swanson drills Charles Oliveira during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos Charles Oliveira was knocked out in the first round during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos Roger Hollett strikes Matt Hamill in the face during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos Matt Hamill tries to finish Roger Hollett during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos Matt Hamill gets the decision win over Roger Hollett during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos Cub Swanson smiles after his impressive win during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos Charles Oliveira receives medical attention during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos Cub Swanson, middle, celebrates his knockout win with his team during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos Vinny Magalhaes gets ready for his return during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos Vinny Magalhaes looks to finish Igor Pokrajac during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos Vinny Magalhaes submits Igor Pokrajac during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos Vinny Magalhaes celebrates his win during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos Vinny Magalhaes celebrates his win during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos Evan Dunham gets ready for his fight during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos TJ Grant punches Evan Dunham during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos TJ Grant punches Evan Dunham during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos TJ Grant strikes Evan Dunham during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos TJ Grant kicks Evan Dunham during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos A very bloody Evan Dunham battles TJ Grant during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos Evan Dunham strikes TJ Grant during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos TJ Grant earns a decision win over Evan Dunham during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos Lance Benoist hits Sean Pierson in the face during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos Lance Benoist and Sean Pierson exchange shots during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos Sean Pierson, left, strikes Lance Benoist during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos Lance Benoist connects with a short right against Sean Pierson during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos Lance Pierson connects with a left during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos Lance Benoist connects again during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos Sean Pierson celebrates his unanimous decision win over Lance Benoist during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos Jimy Hettes nails Marcus Brimage in the face with a knee during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos Marcus Brimage strikes Jimy Hettes during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos Marcus Brimage delivers another shot during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos Marcus Brimage hits Jimy Hettes in the face during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos Marcus Brimage delivers another shot to the face of Jimy Hettes during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos Marcus Brimage earned a unanimous decision win over Jimy Hettes during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos Seth Baczynski rocks Simeon Thoresen during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos The ref pulls Seth Baczynski away after his first-round knockout during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos Simeon Thoresen is attended to after getting knocked out during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos Seth Baczynski celebrates his knockout win during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos Mitch Gagnon punches Walel Watson during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos Mitch Gagnon looks to finish Walel Watson during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos Mitch Gagnon submits Walel Watson during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos Mitch Gagnon celebrates his submission victory during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos Kyle Noke kicks Charlie Brenneman in the face during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
- UFC 152 Photos Kyle Noke celebrates his first-round knockout win during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
In This Stream
UFC 152: Jones vs. Belfort Results
- UFC 152 Results: Jon Jones Submits Vitor Belfort In Fourth Round
- UFC 152 Results: Demetrious Johnson Captures Inaugural UFC Flyweight Title
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