UFC 152 Results: Demetrious Johnson Captures Inaugural UFC Flyweight Title

By Mike Chiappetta@MikeChiappetta Sep 23, 2012, 12:10am EDT

TORONTO -- Just more than five years ago, Demetrious Johnson walked into an MMA gym to get a workout. He had no thoughts of winning a belt or even fighting professionally. He just wanted to stay in shape.

Johnson, though, was a natural. His improvements were so fast and so vast that within a short time of that initial visit, he was fighting. His progression continued into the UFC, and now, Johnson belongs to history, capturing the inaugural UFC flyweight championship with a hard-fought split-decision over Joseph Benavidez at UFC 152.

Two judges scored it for him by 49-46 and 48-47 scores, while a third scored it for Benavidez 48-47.

More Coverage: UFC 152 Results | UFC News
Download New MMA Fighting iPhone App

The fight was extremely closely contested, but if Johnson differentiated himself in any substantial ways, it was with his precision striking and takedowns.

While Benavidez spent plenty of time swinging and missing at the elusive "Mighty Mouse," Johnson was scoring with left hands and piling up takedowns.

The fourth was the most action-packed of the rounds, with each man exchanging top position in looking to establish dominance. Benavidez had it first, hunting for a guillotine. He earned full mount with it and squeezed for the finish but Johnson always kept just enough space to keep the blood flowing and eventually worked free. Johnson later scored a pair of takedowns, and ended the round on top dropping punches and elbows to the body.

In the fifth, he scored another two takedowns in clinching the win.

At the final horn, Johnson raised his hands, sure he had achieved victory while Benavidez seemed uncertain of who would get the nod.

According to statistics shown by the UFC, Johnson out-landed his opponent in strikes 110-82.

Johnson had a hard road to the finals, needing two tries to get past Ian McCall after an error tallying the scores in their first fight caused a draw and necessitated a rematch.

But once he got past McCall, he earned his gold.

"Joseph is a great competitor, but I trained hard," he said. "I dedicated a lot to this sport. It happened."

Johnson is now 16-2 with 1 no contest overall. Benavidez fell to 16-3.

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.