UFC 142 Results: What We Learned from Vitor Belfort vs. Anthony Johnson

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Vitor Belfort (21-9) had a lot of pressure coming into his fight with Anthony Johnson (10-4), but he was able to overcome all the obstacles preceding the fight and submitted the former welterweight contender in the very first round with a rear-naked choke.

What We'll Remember About This Fight

If fans don't remember Belfort winning in Brazil for the first time since 1998, they will remember what happened at the weigh-ins. Johnson missed the middleweight limit of 186 pounds and came in at 197.

Before the fight, Dana White said Johnson would be fighting for his job, win or lose. It wasn't the first time Johnson had missed weight, and after deciding to move up in weight class due to that, missing at an even higher limit is unacceptable for the UFC president.

Johnson was 1.5 pounds away from making the middleweight limit, but doctors gave him fluids before the weigh-in, and he ballooned up to almost 200 pounds.

During the fight, Johnson was able to get Belfort down twice, but referee Dan Miragliotta didn't waste anytime in forcing the stand-up both times. This could be controversial, but there won't be many complaining about it due to Johnson's advantages of not having to dehydrate himself down to the middleweight limit.

What We Learned About Johnson

Many fans will walk away from the fight saying Johnson isn't a true professional for missing weight, but he did come out more aggressive than usual and looked to take out his opponent quickly. That has to be respected, and many thought he would just go immediately for the takedown.

Johnson had some success with his wrestling, but he looked average standing. Whenever Belfort was throwing, Johnson was ducking, covering up and looking to shoot. His defensive skills need to be worked on, but his offensive attack on the feet still remains dangerous.

What We Learned About Belfort

Belfort was able to showcase his Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt skills, and it has been a while since he has submitted an opponent. In fact, he hasn't submitted anyone since 2001.

All 10 of Belfort's UFC victories have come by submission or knockout.

What's Next for Johnson

There's a good chance Johnson will receive his walking papers after this fight and don't be surprised if he gets them.

If he doesn't get the boot, it's hard to predict who he will fight and at what weight he will fight. If he can't make it down to 185, he will have to fight at light-heavyweight.

It's hard to predict just how he will do at 205. He has never fought there before, and it will make a big difference in how he approaches much bigger opponents.

What's Next for Belfort

Belfort's next fight is already official, and it will come against Wanderlei Silva, who he defeated in 1998 after knocking him out just 44 seconds into Round 1.

The fight will go down after the first Ultimate Fighter season to cast all Brazilian fighters and feature Belfort and Silva as the coaches. The fight will likely happen in the summer and possibly be part of a stadium show in Brazil.