Jon Jones e Vitor Belfort na pesagem do UFC 152. Foto:UFC/Divulgação.

Pronto, a hora é essa. De todos os lutadores escalados para o UFC 152, apenas Charles do Bronx não conseguiu bater o peso, ultrapassando 500 gramas do limite de sua categoria (Bronx terá duas horas para tirar a diferença, ou perde 20% da bolsa para Cub Swanson).

A pesagem oficial rolou esta tarde, em Toronto, no Canadá e por lá, Vitor Belfort, desafiante ao título dos meio-pesados, entrou com a bandeira do Brasil e acompanhado do faixa-preta Zé Mario. Na balança, o carioca cravou 92,8kg.

Já o campeão Jon Jones adentrou o pavilhão barbudo, encapuzado e sob vaias, e no medidor bateu 93,2kg. Na tradicional encarada, os lutadores foram bem cordiais.

Nos outros cara-a-cara, os mais nervosos foram entre Michael Bisping e Brian Stann, além do reestreante Vinny Magalhães contra Igor Pokrajac.

O Canal Combate transmite o UFC 152 a partir das 19h45 deste sábado.

Confira mais sobre o UFC aqui no GRACIEMAG.com.

UFC 152
Toronto, Canadá
22 de setembro de 2012

Jon Jones vs Vitor Belfort
Joseph Benavidez vs Demetrious Johnson
Michael Bisping vs Brian Stann
TJ Grant vs Evan Dunham
Matt Hamill vs Vladimir Matyushenko
Cub Swanson vs Charles do Bronx
Seth Baczynski vs Simeon Thoresen
Jimy Hettes vs Marcus Brimage
Igor Prokajac vs Vinny Magalhães
Mitch Gagnon vs Walel Watson
Charlie Brenneman vs Kyle Noke

Jon Jones e Vitor Belfort na coletiva de imprensa do UFC 152. Foto:UFC/Divulgação

O campeão dos meio-pesados do UFC Jon Jones e o desafiante Vitor Belfort vão se engalfinhar neste sábado, em Toronto no Canadá. Entretanto, eles e mais uma penca de cascas-grossas vão ter que enfrentar outro adversário impiedoso, a balança. A pesagem oficial do UFC 152 rola nesta sexta-feira, às 17h (horário de Brasília) e você confere tudo aqui no seu site predileito, o GRACIEMAG.com.

Não perca e siga ligado no GRACIEMAG.com e no twitter @graciemag_br.

UFC 152
Toronto, Canadá
22 de setembro de 2012

Jon Jones vs Vitor Belfort

Joseph Benavidez vs Demetrious Johnson

Michael Bisping vs Brian Stann

TJ Grant vs Evan Dunham

Matt Hamill vs Vladimir Matyushenko

Cub Swanson vs Charles do Bronx

Seth Baczynski vs Simeon Thoresen

Jimy Hettes vs Marcus Brimage

Igor Prokajac vs Vinny Magalhães

Mitch Gagnon vs Walel Watson

Charlie Brenneman vs Kyle Noke

Jon Jones and Vitor Belfort at pre-UFC 152 press conference / UFC publicity photo

UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones and challenger Vitor Belfort will square off this Saturday in Toronto, Canada. But first they and a handful of other burly bruisers will have to contend with a merciless adversary—the scale. Official weigh-ins for UFC 152 kick off this Friday at 6 pm GMT, and you can watch it all live here on your favorite fight site—GRACIEMAG.com.

Don’t miss it. Stay tuned to GRACIEMAG.com.

UFC 152
Toronto, Canada
September 22, 2012

Jon Jones vs Vitor Belfort
Joseph Benavidez vs Demetrious Johnson
Michael Bisping vs Brian Stann
TJ Grant vs Evan Dunham
Matt Hamill vs Vladimir Matyushenko
Cub Swanson vs Charles do Bronx
Seth Baczynski vs Simeon Thoresen
Jimy Hettes vs Marcus Brimage
Igor Prokajac vs Vinny Magalhães
Mitch Gagnon vs Walel Watson
Charlie Brenneman vs Kyle Noke

Vitor Belfort, between ex-UFC champion Rashad Evans and Jiu-Jitsu champ Brazilian Estima, during training at Blackzilians camp in Florida / Photo by Ryan Loco

Bráulio Estima had a sterling maiden outing in MMA last month, and following some well-deserved off time surfing, his mind is already back on training—and his eyes on UFC 152.

“It’s hugely satisfying to train with Vitor. I’m a fan of his from way back, so I’m somewhat partial,” said Carcará, another elite athlete helping Belfort prepare for his attempt to take the light heavyweight title from the fearsome Jon Jones, during a chat with GRACIEMAG.com. “Vitor’s a born professional. He’s dedicated and has a wealth of knowledge. Having started so early, he’s got some crazy octagon experience. I’ve learned a lot from him. Training here at Blackzilians is really professional, with lots of tactics, specific training on attacks and blocking takedowns and attacks,” added the Jiu-Jitsu professor from Gracie Barra Birmingham.

As for training, the black belt feels the help of one of Jones’s former friends will prove essential.

“Vitor has been practicing a bit of everything. Rashad Evans is backing Vitor up big time. There’s no one better than him to teach Vitor what he needs to know. Predicting the outcome of a fight like this one is difficult, but there is one thing I can say: Vitor’s doing awesome in striking, ground and pound and Jiu-Jitsu. A fight’s a fight, and nobody’s invincible. The way I see it, the first one to slip up will pay dearly,” he said in closing.

What do you think, savvy reader, will Vitor Belfort hold his own against Jon Jones on the coming 22nd? Will Belfort’s Jiu-Jitsu make the difference? Share your take with us.

UFC 152
Toronto, Canada
September 22, 2012

Jon Jones vs Vitor Belfort
Joseph Benavidez vs Demetrious Johnson
Michael Bisping vs Brian Stann
TJ Grant vs Evan Dunham
Matt Hamill vs Vladimir Matyushenko
Cub Swanson vs Charles do Bronx
Seth Baczynski vs Simeon Thoresen
Jimy Hettes vs Marcus Brimage
Igor Prokajac vs Vinny Magalhães
Mitch Gagnon vs Walel Watson
Charlie Brenneman vs Kyle Noke

Vitor Belfort em seu camp na Flórida, na equipe Blackzilians, entre o ex-campeão do UFC Rashad Evans e o campeão de Jiu-Jitsu Braulio Estima. Foto: Ryan Loco

Bráulio Estima obteve uma bela vitória em sua estreia no MMA, no mês passado, e após merecidas férias surfando, ele já está com a mente de volta aos treinos – e de olho no UFC 152.

“Treinar com o Vitor é uma satisfação enorme. Sou fã dele de longa data, então sou suspeito pra falar”, diz o Carcará, mais um casca-grossa que está ajudando Belfort na luta pelo cinturão dos meio-pesados, hoje em posse do monstro Jon Jones. “Vitor é um profissional nato. Dedicado e sabe muito. Como começou cedo, tem uma experiência no octógono sinistra. Aprendi muito com ele, os treinos aqui na Blackzilians são bem profissionais com muita tática, treino específico de golpes e bloqueio de quedas e golpes”, completou o professor da Gracie Barra Birmingham, em papo com o GRACIEMAG.com.

Quanto aos treinos, o faixa-preta conta que o auxílio de um ex-amigo de Jones é essencial.

“Vitor tem treinado de tudo um pouco. O Rashad Evans está dando uma grande força para o Vitor. Ninguém melhor que ele para passar tudo o que o Vitor precisa. Prever o desfecho de uma luta como esta é difícil. Mas uma coisa posso adiantar: Vitor está muito bem na trocação, no ground and pound e no Jiu-Jitsu. Luta é luta, e ninguém é invencível. Na minha análise, o primeiro que errar vai pagar mais caro”, encerrou.

E você sagaz leitor, acha que Vitor Belfort pode fazer bonito contra Jon Jones no dia 22? O Jiu-Jitsu de Belfort vai fazer a diferença? Comente com a gente.

UFC 152
Toronto, Canadá
22 de setembro de 2012

Jon Jones vs Vitor Belfort
Joseph Benavidez vs Demetrious Johnson
Michael Bisping vs Brian Stann
TJ Grant vs Evan Dunham
Matt Hamill vs Vladimir Matyushenko
Cub Swanson vs Charles do Bronx
Seth Baczynski vs Simeon Thoresen
Jimy Hettes vs Marcus Brimage
Igor Prokajac vs Vinny Magalhães
Mitch Gagnon vs Walel Watson
Charlie Brenneman vs Kyle Noke

Belfort contra Akiyama no UFC 133. Foto: UFC/Divulgação.

Se ninguém aceitou encarar Jon Jones (além de Chael Sonnen, claro), Vitor Belfort nem pestanejou e concordou em enfrentar o campeão dos meio-pesados do UFC. O duelo será no Canadá, no próximo dia 22, e o Ultimate lançou o vídeo promocional da edição 152.

O brasileiro se mostrou plenamente confiante na vitória. “Vou nocauteá-lo. É bom que ele esteja preparado para mim. Estou lá para lutar, estou lá para vencer. Vai ser leão contra leão. Vou vencer a luta, vou ditar o ritmo. O plano é derrotá-lo”, garantiu.

Confira o vídeo abaixo, que ainda traz os anúncios dos conferes entre Joseph Benavidez e Demetrious Johnson, pelo cinturão dos moscas, e entre as estrelas Michael Bisping e Brian Stann, válido pela divisão dos médios.

E para você leitor, o que Vitor Belfort precisa fazer para chocar o mundo e derrubar Jones? Deixe sua opinião nos comentários.

UFC 152
Toronto, Canadá
22 de setembro de 2012

Jon Jones vs Vitor Belfort
Joseph Benavidez vs Demetrious Johnson
Michael Bisping vs Brian Stann
TJ Grant vs Evan Dunham
Matt Hamill vs Vladimir Matyushenko
Cub Swanson vs Charles do Bronx
Seth Baczynski vs Simeon Thoresen
Jimy Hettes vs Marcus Brimage
Igor Prokajac vs Vinny Magalhães
Mitch Gagnon vs Walel Watson
Charlie Brenneman vs Kyle Noke

Belfort against Akiyama at UFC 133 / UFC publicity photo

While no one else accepted a shot at Jon Jones (except Chael Sonnen, of course), Vitor Belfort didn’t even blink and agreed to face the UFC light heavyweight champion right away. The two will square off on the coming 22nd in the main event of UFC 153, and the promotion has already released the promo video for the show.

The Brazilian has made it clear he’s confident going into the fight: “I’m going to knock him out. He’d better be ready for me. I’m going there to fight. I’m going there to win. It’ll be lion against lion. I’m going to win the fight, dictate the pace. The plan is to beat him,” he says.

Check out the video below, which also features teasers for the Joseph Benavidez-Demetrious Johnson flyweight-title affair and the middleweight showdown between Michael Bisping and Brian Stann.

What do you think, gentle reader? What does Vitor Belfort need to do to shock the world and take out Jon Jones? Let us know in the comments section below.

UFC 152
Toronto, Canada
September 22, 2012

Jon Jones vs Vitor Belfort
Joseph Benavidez vs Demetrious Johnson
Michael Bisping vs Brian Stann
TJ Grant vs Evan Dunham
Matt Hamill vs Vladimir Matyushenko
Cub Swanson vs Charles do Bronx
Seth Baczynski vs Simeon Thoresen
Jimy Hettes vs Marcus Brimage
Igor Prokajac vs Vinny Magalhães
Mitch Gagnon vs Walel Watson
Charlie Brenneman vs Kyle Noke

Check it all out in photos by Josh Hedges:

[flickr set=72157626156595780]

Confira as imagens disso nas fotos de Josh Hedges:

[flickr set=72157626156595780]

Mark Hunt returns to his winning ways in grand style. Photo: Josh Hedges.

UFC 127, in Australia, paid out 75 thousand-dollar bonuses for the evening’s best.

For best fight of the night, Brian Ebersole and Chris Lytle took the prize for the unanimous decision won by the former.

Now knockout-of-the-night went to Pride FC veteran Mark Hunt, who put down Chris Tuchscherer and left his six-fight losing streak behind him. Best submission was local boy Kyle Noke’s rear-naked choke on Chris Camozzi after just 1:35 minutes of fighting.

UFC 127 played to a packed house this Sunday in Sydney, Australia. And the crowd had the pleasure of applauding the victories of local fighter, suffered with the loss of one of their heroes, watched the provocation-filled fight of Michael Bisping, and accept a draw in the main event. Check out the results and breakdown of the fights on the main card:

Frustration in the main event

BJ Penn seemed to have pushed ahead with an advantage in the first two rounds, managing to take the fight to the ground and use his Jiu-Jitsu on Jon Fitch, making it to back mount. But Fitch was effective with the ground and pound throughout, a tactic that handed him the third round by washout, when BJ showed clear signs of fatigue. After the three rounds were up, one judge had Fitch as winning, while the other two had it a draw. Thus the fight had no winner, by majority decision.

The Englishman’s shut-up

Jorge Rivera even put a video on the internet just to provoke Michael Bisping. At the press conferences and at weight-in, before the event, the Englishman known for his hot temper already made it clear he didn’t like the games. During the fight, Bisping dominated the first round with takedowns but ended up landing an illegal knee. In the second, the Englishman went after Rivera with a true avalanche of strikes, getting him the technical knockout at 1:54 minutes. Then he lost his head, even spitting on someone from his opponent’s team. This is Bisping’s third win in a row since losing to Wanderlei Silva last year, also in Australia.

Put the brakes on the hometown boy

George Sotiropoulos was the one getting all the acclaim before the fight with Europe’s Dennis Siver. He was the favorite for winning five-straight fights in the UFC and for being the hometown boy. But Siver did well to steer clear of his opponent’s Jiu-Jitsu, deftly avoiding all takedowns. He managed two knockdowns in the opening round with his deadly crosses and controlled the rest of the action well, all on the feet. Victory by unanimous decision.

Efficient showboat

By entering his fight with his body hair shaved in the shape of an arrow pointing to his own head, Brian Ebersole already provided signs of what was to come. Against Chris Lytle, he applied outlandish kicks, played around, but was wholly effective. He landed spot-on knees, like in the second round, and dominated with takedowns, as well as defending well Lytle’s attempted guillotines. A well-deserved unanimous decision was the result defining his UFC debut. He used well the experience acquired over a 61-fight career.

A submission for Australia

In the first fight on the main card, local fighter Kyle Noke came out on top. After getting the better of the standup action, getting the takedown and landing straight into mounted position, Kyle took Chris Camozzi’s back to swiftly finish with the rear-naked choke. With the result, besides making the local crowd’s day, Noke notched his third win in three UFC appearances.

UFC 127
Sydney, Australia
February 27, 2011

Jon Fitch and B.J. Penn fought to a draw

Michael Bisping venceu Jorge Rivera via TKO in R2

Dennis Siver defeated George Sotiropoulos via unanimous decision

Brian Ebersole defeated Chris Lytle via unanimous decision

Kyle Noke submitted Chris Camozzi via rear-naked choke at 1:35 min of R1

Ross Pearson defeated Spencer Fisher via unanimous decision

Alexander Gustafsson submitted James Te Huna via rear-naked choke at 4:27 min of R1

Nick Ring defeated Riki Fukuda via unanimous decision

Tiequan Zhang submitted Jason Reinhardt via guillotine at 0.48 min of R1

Anthony Perosh submitted Tom Blackledge via rear-naked choke at 2:45 min of R1

Mark Hunt defeated Chris Tuchscherer via KO at 1:41 min of R1

Curt Warburton defeated Maciej Jewtuszko via unanimous decision

Mark Hunt volta às vitórias em grande estilo. Foto: Josh Hedges.

O UFC 127, na Austrália, pagou 75 mil dólares em bônus aos melhores da noite.

Pela melhor luta da noite, ficaram com o prêmio o provocador Brian Ebersole e Chris Lytle, que acabou derrotado em decisão unânime.

Já o nocaute ficou com o veterano do Pride Mark Hunt, que nocauteou Chris Tuchscherer e deixou para trás uma série de seis derrotas. A melhor finalização foi o mata-leão do lutador local Kyle Noke contra Chris Camozzi, em apenas 1min35s de combate.