TORONTO -- Of all the criticisms about Jon Jones' early success, the most ridiculous one has centered around his size, as if he plays by a different set of rules. Yes, his unmatched reach is a natural offensive advantage that he has been quick to master, but his long limbs are no impenetrable buffer zone. On the ground, they can be turned against him. When Vitor Belfort latched on to an arm bar early in the first round of their UFC 152 title fight, Jones was faced with that exact scenario.
It was just over one minute into the light heavyweight championship bout. Belfort was still completely fresh, and Jones' arm was dry and trapped, a victim of its own length. From this position, there is no easy escape. If you listen to enough MMA commentary, you often hear about how length is an advantage, but here is where you rarely hear that having long limbs can work against you. A long arm like Jones' has more distance to travel to work free of the hold. It is also a longer lever to hyperextend.
In this instance, Jones' length was of no help to him; in fact, at that particular moment, it was his worst attribute. And this is where even his detractors must have learned something new about Jones: his will to win might be greater than the sum of his physical gifts.
When you find yourself trapped as Jones was, there is a decision to make, one that doesn't offer much time for debate. Either you surrender and move on to the next day, or you fight on, willing to live with the consequences.
Jones immediately knew he was in a terrible position. He felt cracking, and Belfort, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt since 1996 who can trace his lineage to the founders of the art, said he too felt "popping" as he continued to torque the champion's right arm for the finish.
Faced with this position, most tap. If it were a training session, Jones wouldn't have thought twice about doing so. But with his championship on the line, he was committed to finding a way free or going home in a cast. As it turns out, he did both.
Jones tried three different escape routes. First, he tried to clasp his trapped arm with his free one, hoping to lock on to Belfort's leg and prevent full extension. By that time, Belfort was already committed, and Jones' two arms were not going to overpower Belfort's two legs. Jones' realized that instantly and went to plan B. He got to his feet and picked Belfort off the ground, hoping to shake free, then slammed Belfort to the ground, which effectively served to deepen the hold. Finally, faced with a nearly desperate situation, Jones stood up and shook his way free.
The whole sequence took 19 seconds, but even 19 seconds of your arm bent back at the elbow must feel like an eternity. Jones' resolve told us something about him that we had not fully known. This is not to say he pulled off some miracle escape. It wasn't a comeback tale to rival Anderson Silva's triangle over Chael Sonnen either, but in a sport that prizes gameness nearly above all else, Jones' willingness to trade his health for the possibility of victory is the first clear sign that he is prepared to live the "warrior" mentality he often mentions. And it's yet another sign that the champion is more than just a big body.
Think about this: Jones has tapped black belts, out-punched and out-kicked strikers and put wrestlers on their backs with ease. He's taken hard shots and escaped submissions. He's won fights on short notice and in the highest of pressure situations.
Whatever you think of Jones individually, you're lying to yourself if you can't admit just how good and how tough he is.
Jones' win over Belfort was his fifth straight over a former UFC champion, an incredible achievement made even more astounding with the knowledge that he's done this all within five years of the first day he ever stepped into an MMA gym. He's done it in dominant style and in a way where he reveals something new each time. Against Shogun Rua he proved his poise, against Rampage he proved his toughness. Against Machida, he proved he could take a big punch, while his fight with Rashad Evans showed he could win without his best game. And against Belfort, he showed he could withstand incredible pain and adversity to succeed.
Years ago, Ricardo Almeida told me a story about when he was a teenager just starting out in jiu-jitsu. In imparting a lession, his teacher, Carlos Gracie, told him that against Japanese fighters, he should always look for chokes rather than joint locks.
"The Japanese, they won't tap," he told the young Almeida.
The insinuation was that in living the warrior code, they would never voluntarily surrender. They must either be choked or beaten unconscious. On Saturday night, Jones effectively announced that's what it would take to beat him. As if he wasn't good enough, big enough and strong enough, Jones proved that even when you strip away his advantages, he's still willing to trade more suffering for success than you are.
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.
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Jon Jones gets ready for his fight during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
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Jon Jones gets ready for his fight during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
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Vitor Belfort is checked out after the first round during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
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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.
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Jon Jones gets some advice between rounds during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
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Jon Jones tries to finish Vitor Belfort during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
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Brittney Palmer signals the beginning of the fourth round during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
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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.
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Jon Jones kicks Vitor Belfort during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
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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.
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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.
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Vitor Belfort is attended to after his fight during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
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Jon Jones celebrates after defending his title during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
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Jon Jones and Vitor Belfort chat after their fight during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
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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.
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Joseph Benavidez gets ready for his fight during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
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Demetrious Johnson and Joseph Benavidez battle each other during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
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Joseph Benavidez punches Demetrious Johnson during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
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Joseph Benavidez punches Demetrious Johnson during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
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Demetrious Johnson punches Joseph Benavidez during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
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Joseph Benavidez tries to take down Demetrious Johnson during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
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Demetrious Johnson tries to hit Joseph Benavidez during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
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Joseph Benavidez and Demetrious Johnson exchange shots during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
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Joseph Benavidez hits Demetrious Johnson during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
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Joseph Benavidez tries to submit Demetrious Johnson during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
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Demetrious Johnson slams Joseph Benavidez during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
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Demetrious Johnson earns the decision during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
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Demetrious Johnson becomes the first UFC flyweight champ during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
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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.
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Brian Stann gets ready for his fight during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
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Fans make their way to their seats at the Air Canada Centre on Sat, Sept. 12, 2012 in Toronto.
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Michael Bisping drills Brian Stann during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
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Michael Bisping hits Brian Stann during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
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Brian Stann kicks Michael Bisping during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
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Michael Bisping hits Brian Stann with a left during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
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Brian Stann connects with a right during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
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Michael Bisping takes Brian Stann down during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
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Michael Bisping and Brian Stann exchange shots during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
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Michael Bisping and Brian Stann hug during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
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Michael Bisping earns the decision win during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
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Charles Oliveira gets ready for his fight during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
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Cub Swanson stares across the Octagon during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
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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.
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Cub Swanson delivers a potent body shot during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
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Cub Swanson drills Charles Oliveira during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
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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.
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Matt Hamill tries to finish Roger Hollett during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
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Matt Hamill gets the decision win over Roger Hollett during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
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Cub Swanson smiles after his impressive win during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
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Charles Oliveira receives medical attention during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
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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.
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Vinny Magalhaes gets ready for his return during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
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Vinny Magalhaes looks to finish Igor Pokrajac during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
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Vinny Magalhaes submits Igor Pokrajac during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
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Vinny Magalhaes celebrates his win during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
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Vinny Magalhaes celebrates his win during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
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Evan Dunham gets ready for his fight during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
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TJ Grant punches Evan Dunham during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
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TJ Grant punches Evan Dunham during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
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TJ Grant strikes Evan Dunham during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
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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.
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Evan Dunham strikes TJ Grant during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
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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.
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Lance Benoist and Sean Pierson exchange shots during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
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Sean Pierson, left, strikes Lance Benoist during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
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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.
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Lance Benoist connects again during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
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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.
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Marcus Brimage strikes Jimy Hettes during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
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Marcus Brimage delivers another shot during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
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Marcus Brimage hits Jimy Hettes in the face during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Mitch Gagnon punches Walel Watson during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
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Mitch Gagnon looks to finish Walel Watson during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
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Mitch Gagnon submits Walel Watson during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
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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.
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Kyle Noke celebrates his first-round knockout win during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.