First UFC PPV In Over A Month For The First Time In Years.
Tonight’s tale of the tape features UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon “Bones” Jones (17-1) and “The Phenom” Vítor Belfort (30-9). Initially, Jones was scheduled to fight Dan Henderson at UFC 151 but after Henderson sustained a partial rupture of his MCL, the entire PPV was cancelled. Following the cancellation, Lyoto Machida who defeated Ryan Bader at UFC on Fox last month, was scheduled to fight Jon Jones at this PPV but declined for a rematch stating he wouldn’t have enough time to train for a title bout in just three weeks.
Before Machida cancelled the fight, Chael Sonnen had been pushing publicly a match against Jon Jones, but Bones cancelled the fight for undisclosed reason. This immediately vilified Jones in the eyes of the MMA fans and even UFC president Dana White. Some could say due to the friendship Jones and UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva (defeated Sonnen twice) share would be the cause for his cancellation; while others could say Jones is just looking to avoid a defeat from Sonnen. Bones is arguably an 8-1 favorite over that should be an easy victory over Belfort.
Also Demetrious Johnson and Joseph Benavidez have the first ever championship fight for the flyweight title which the winner will be crowned a title. Benavidez is the favorite in this one but beating Johnson won’t be easy tonight as I expect it to be a decision victory. Arguably the most anticipated fight of the night; in a kickboxing match-up we’ll see Michael Bisping against Brian Stann. These two fighters have lost to Chael Sonnen over the past 12 months, but both expect to move back forward in the middleweight division with a respectable victory. Michael Bisping is the favorite for this one but Brian Stann who’s the obvious underdog could possibly pull an upset tonight after the past weeks with Bisping taking a nonchalant approach to the fight.
Be sure to tune in tonight as UFC 152 emanates live from the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Check the jump for a special video preview along with the complete match card listings.
Main Card on Pay-Per-View | 10:00pm ET (7:00pm PT)
- Jon Jones vs. Vitor Belfort
- Joseph Benavidez vs. Demetrious Johnson
- Michael Bisping vs. Brian Stann
- Matt Hamill vs. Canada Roger Hollett
- Cub Swanson vs. Brazil Charles Oliveira
Preliminary Card on FX | 8:00pm ET (5:00pm PT)
- Igor Pokrajac vs. Vinny Magalhães
- TJ Grant vs. Evan Dunham
- Sean Pierson vs. Lance Benoist
- Jimy Hettes vs. Marcus Brimage
Preliminary Card on Facebook | 6:45pm ET (3:45pm PT)
- Seth Baczynski vs. Simeon Thoresen
- Mitch Gagnon vs. Walel Watson
- Kyle Noke vs. Charlie Brenneman