Middleweight Vitor Belfort may be a legend in the cage but he?s also human. The 35-year old nearly exited UFC 152 with the light heavyweight championship, overcoming tremendous odds in the process, when he locked up an Armbar on terrific title-holder Jon Jones in the first frame of their headlining fight, but in the end Jones was able to escape the submission attempt.
While some credit has to be given to Jones? tenacity and subsequent defense, it also appears Belfort slipped up while wrenching the 25-year old?s limb and likely cost himself the belt as a result.
?When I heard his arm pop, I let go a little and that is where he escaped,? explained Belfort at the post-event press conference. ?I made a mistake. He is a great fighter and I lost the opportunity.?
Belfort: “Don’t count the days, make the days count…”
Adding weight to Belfort?s statement, Jones admitted after the show that his arm suffered unknown damage during the exchange which he labeled as possibly involving nerve damage to his bicep.
PHOTO CREDIT – UFC
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