Ovince Saint Preux

Ovince Saint Preux
Born (1983-04-08) April 8, 1983
Naples, Florida, United States
Other names OSP
Nationality American
Height 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight 205 lb (93 kg; 14.6 st)
Division Light heavyweight
Reach 80.0 in (203 cm)[1]
Fighting out of Knoxville, Tennessee, United States
Team Knoxville Martial Arts Academy
Rank Blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Rafaello Oliveira[2]
Years active 2008–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total 27
Wins 19
By knockout 9
By submission 5
By decision 5
Losses 8
By knockout 1
By submission 1
By decision 6
Amateur career
Total 2
Wins 2
By knockout 1
By submission 1
Other information
University University of Tennessee
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Ovince Saint Preux (born April 8, 1983) is an American professional mixed martial artist who competes in the light heavyweight division for the UFC. A professional competitor since 2008, Saint Preux has also formerly competed for Strikeforce, the XFC, and Shark Fights. Saint Preux is currently #6 in official UFC light heavyweight rankings.[3]

Background

Saint Preux was born in Naples, Florida, to Haitian immigrant parents.[4] He attended Immokalee High School in Immokalee, Florida, where he wrestled, played defensive end for the football team, and ran track. As a wrestler, he compiled a record of 26-1, and was the state's 1A runner-up in his weight class. During his senior year in football, he registered 75 tackles, including a school-record 18 sacks, and was named All-State. In track, he competed in the 110-meter hurdles, the 300-meter hurdles, the discus throw, and the 4x400 relay.[5]

Saint Preux played college football for the Tennessee Volunteers from 2001 to 2004. After redshirting in 2001, he played primarily as a reserve at both defensive end and linebacker.[6] He earned varsity letters in 2002 and 2004, appearing in seventeen games during his college career.[7] He graduated in 2004 with a degree in sociology, and began to train in kickboxing and grappling.[8]

After two unsuccessful attempts at professional football, Saint Preux gave up the sport and began to take an interest in martial arts as a form of training. Saint Preux, who currently trains at Knoxville Martial Arts Academy in Knoxville, Tennessee, began to fight professionally at the suggestion of his coach.[4]

Saint Preux attributes his confidence in the ring to his membership in Omega Psi Phi fraternity.[9]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Saint Preux compiled an undefeated amateur MMA record of 5-0 before making his professional MMA debut at VFC 1 against Rodney Wallace, which he lost by decision. In his second MMA match, he suffered another decision loss. His next match came against Robert Turner which he won by a brutal head kick at XFC 7: School of Hard Knox. Saint Preux was a runner-up for Inside MMA's Submission of The Year for 2009 with a calf slicer against Ombey Mobley, but was beaten by Toby Imada's reverse triangle.

Strikeforce

In June 2010, Saint Preux signed a multi-fight deal with Strikeforce.[10] His debut match came against Chris Hawk at Strikeforce: Nashville, which he won due to TKO (punches) in the first round.

After knocking out UFC veteran Jason Day in eight seconds outside the Strikeforce organization, he returned to fight Antwain Britt in his second Strikeforce fight on a ShoMMA Strikeforce Challengers event. He won by unanimous decision.[11]

Saint Preux returned to action less than a month after his win over Britt to fight UFC and Strikeforce veteran Benji Radach on the main card of Strikeforce: Henderson vs. Babalu II.[12] Saint Preux defeated Radach via unanimous decision.

Saint Preux competed in his third Strikeforce fight in less than seven weeks and faced Abongo Humphrey on January 7, 2011, at Strikeforce Challengers: Woodley vs. Saffiedine.[13] He won the fight via unanimous decision. This three fight series over a seven week period marked the only time a Strikeforce fighter competed on three successive shows.[14]

Saint Preux faced Joe Cason on July 22, 2011, at Strikeforce Challengers: Bowling vs. Voelker III.[15] He won the fight via submission to strikes in the first round. In his post-fight interview, Saint Preux asked for either Renato Sobral or Gegard Mousasi as his next opponent.

Saint Preux next fought Gegard Mousasi on December 17, 2011, at Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Masvidal.[16] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Saint Preux fought T. J. Cook on August 18, 2012, at Strikeforce: Rousey vs. Kaufman. He won the fight via third round KO with a punch.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

In January 2013, the Strikeforce organization was closed by its parent company Zuffa with a majority of the Strikeforce fighters being brought over to the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

For his UFC debut, Saint Preux faced fellow promotional newcomer Gian Villante on April 27, 2013, at UFC 159.[17] The fight ended in unusual fashion as Saint Preux accidentally poked Villante in the right eye with his thumb and referee Kevin Mulhall immediately called an end to the fight after asking Villante if he could see. As a result of the injury, the fight went to the judges' scorecards and Saint Preux won a majority technical decision.[18]

For his second bout with the promotion, Saint Preux faced Cody Donovan on August 17, 2013, at UFC Fight Night 26.[19] He won the fight via knockout at 2:07 in the first round.

Saint Preux was briefly linked to a bout against Thiago Silva on January 15, 2014 at UFC Fight Night 35.[20] However, Silva pulled out of the bout less than 24 hours after the announcement.[21] The match against Silva was rescheduled for March 15, 2014 at UFC 171.[22] However, the rescheduled bout was cancelled on February 7, 2014 after Silva was arrested by Florida police on attempted murder charges.[23] Saint Preux instead fought Nikita Krylov at the event, winning in the first round with a Von Flue choke.[24] The rare submission win also earned Saint Preux his first Performance of the Night bonus award.[25]

For his fourth fight, Saint Preux faced Ryan Jimmo on June 14, 2014 at UFC 174.[26] He won the fight in the second round when Jimmo verbally submitted due to a broken arm as a result of blocking one of Saint Preux's kicks.[27]

Saint Preux faced Ryan Bader on August 16, 2014 in the main event at UFC Fight Night 47.[28] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[29]

Saint Preux was expected to face Rafael Cavalcante on November 8, 2014 at UFC Fight Night 56.[30] However, Cavalcante pulled out of the bout citing injury and was replaced by Francimar Barroso.[31] However, on October 29, it was announced that Saint Preux would step up to replace an injured Jimi Manuwa in the main event against Maurício Rua.[32] Despite being the underdog and fighting in Rua's home country of Brazil, Saint Preux won the fight via knockout just 34 seconds into the first round.[33] Shogun's loss to Preux was the fastest defeat of his professional career. The win also earned Saint Preux his second Performance of the Night bonus award.[34]

Saint Preux faced Patrick Cummins on April 18, 2015 at UFC on Fox 15.[35] He won the fight via knockout in the first round.[36]

Saint Preux faced Glover Teixeira on August 8, 2015 at UFC Fight Night 73.[37] He lost the back-and-forth fight by submission in the third round.[38] Both participants were awarded Fight of the Night honors.[39]

Saint Preux faced Rafael Cavalcante on February 6, 2016 at UFC Fight Night 82.[40] Despite Preux injuring his ankle in the first round, he won the fight by unanimous decision.[41]

Saint Preux faced Jon Jones on 21 days notice, in Jones return to the Octagon, for the interim light-heavyweight title on April 23, 2016 at UFC 197 after Daniel Cormier pulled out of the fight against Jones citing a foot injury.[42] Saint Preux lost via unanimous decision with scores of 50-45, 50-45 and 50-44.[43] Saint Preux's coach revealed that Saint Preux's arm was broken in the second round, despite the fight going a full five rounds.[44]

Championships and achievements

Mixed martial arts

Mixed martial arts record

Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 19–8 Jon Jones Decision (unanimous) UFC 197 April 23, 2016 5 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States For the interim UFC Light Heavyweight Championship.
Win 19–7 Rafael Cavalcante Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Hendricks vs. Thompson February 6, 2016 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 18–7 Glover Teixeira Technical Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC Fight Night: Teixeira vs. Saint Preux August 8, 2015 3 3:10 Nashville, Tennessee, United States Fight of the Night.
Win 18–6 Patrick Cummins KO (punches) UFC on Fox: Machida vs. Rockhold April 18, 2015 1 4:54 Newark, New Jersey, United States
Win 17–6 Maurício Rua TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Shogun vs. St. Preux November 8, 2014 1 0:34 Uberlândia, Brazil Performance of the Night.
Loss 16–6 Ryan Bader Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Bader vs. St. Preux August 16, 2014 5 5:00 Bangor, Maine, United States
Win 16–5 Ryan Jimmo Verbal Submission (arm injury) UFC 174 June 14, 2014 2 2:10 Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Win 15–5 Nikita Krylov Technical Submission (Von Flue choke) UFC 171 March 15, 2014 1 1:29 Dallas, Texas, United States Performance of the Night.
Win 14–5 Cody Donovan KO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Shogun vs. Sonnen August 17, 2013 1 2:07 Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Win 13–5 Gian Villante Technical Decision (majority) UFC 159 April 27, 2013 3 0:33 Newark, New Jersey, United States Eye poke rendered Villante unable to continue.
Win 12–5 T.J. Cook KO (punch) Strikeforce: Rousey vs. Kaufman August 18, 2012 3 0:20 San Diego, California, United States
Loss 11–5 Gegard Mousasi Decision (unanimous) Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Masvidal December 17, 2011 3 5:00 San Diego, California, United States
Win 11–4 Joe Cason Submission (punches) Strikeforce Challengers: Voelker vs. Bowling III July 22, 2011 1 1:12 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 10–4 Abongo Humphrey Decision (unanimous) Strikeforce Challengers: Woodley vs. Saffiedine January 7, 2011 3 5:00 Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Win 9–4 Benji Radach Decision (unanimous) Strikeforce: Henderson vs. Babalu II December 4, 2010 3 5:00 St. Louis, Missouri, United States
Win 8–4 Antwain Britt Decision (unanimous) Strikeforce Challengers: Wilcox vs. Ribeiro November 19, 2010 3 5:00 Jackson, Mississippi, United States
Win 7–4 Jason Day KO (punches) EFC 5: Summer Rumble July 24, 2010 1 0:08 Lloydminster, Saskatchewan, Canada
Win 6–4 Claudio Cunha Godoy TKO (arm injury) Washington Combat: Battle of the Legends May 15, 2010 1 5:00 Washington, D.C., United States
Win 5–4 Chris Hawk TKO (punches) Strikeforce: Nashville April 17, 2010 1 0:47 Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Win 4–4 Brett Chism TKO (punches) GTO Cage Fights February 20, 2010 1 1:15 Griffin, Georgia, United States
Loss 3–4 Virgil Zwicker TKO (punches) Top Combat Championship 1 September 26, 2009 2 0:46 San Juan, Puerto Rico
Loss 3–3 Nik Fekete Decision (unanimous) Vendetta Fighting Championship: A Night of Vengeance September 5, 2009 2 5:00 Oranjestad, Aruba
Win 3–2 Jonathan Smith Submission (mounted rear-naked choke) Vendetta Fighting Championship: A Night of Vengeance September 5, 2009 1 0:46 Oranjestad, Aruba
Win 2–2 Ombey Mobley Submission (calf slicer) XFC 8 April 25, 2009 1 2:36 Knoxville, Tennessee, United States
Win 1–2 Robert Turner KO (head kick) XFC 7 February 20, 2009 1 2:36 Knoxville, Tennessee, United States
Loss 0–2 Ray Lizama Decision (unanimous) Shark Fights 2 December 13, 2008 3 3:00 Amarillo, Texas, United States
Loss 0–1 Rodney Wallace Decision (unanimous) Vengeance Fighting Championship 1 September 27, 2008 3 5:00 Concord, North Carolina, United States

Mixed martial arts amateur record

Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 2-0 Todd Smart KO (punches) KOTC: Reckless May 17, 2008 1 1:28 Greenville, Mississippi, United States
Win 1-0 Mike Cormier Submission (rear-naked choke) KOTC: Reckless May 17, 2008 1 2:59 Greenville, Mississippi, United States

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Fight Card - UFC 174 Johnson vs. Bagautinov". UFC.com. Retrieved June 15, 2014.
  2. ↑ "Ovince Saint Preux - Official UFC Fighter Profile". UFC.com. Retrieved November 10, 2014.
  3. ↑ "Fighter Rankings - UFC ®". UFC.
  4. 1 2 Ed Knapp (July 19, 2011). "Ovince St. Preux Talks Haitian Roots and Future in MMA". bleacherreport.com.
  5. ↑ "2001 Tennessee Signees," 2001 Tennessee Volunteers Football Guide, p. 133.
  6. ↑ "2004 Squad," 2004 Tennessee Volunteers Football Guide, p. 124.
  7. ↑ Individual Career Football Statistics, UTSports.com. Retrieved: 10 October 2013.
  8. ↑ "Strikeforce Challengers: Ovince St. Preux vs. Antwain Britt Booked for November 19 in Jackson," MMA Mania, 29 October 2010.
  9. ↑ "Ovince Saint Preux: Filling in the Blanks". UFC.
  10. ↑ "Ovince Saint Preux Signs Multi-Fight with Strikeforce," Strikeforce.com.
  11. ↑ Jack Bratcher, "Ovince St. Preux Shows Continual Improvement With 'Strikeforce Challengers 12' Co-Main Event Victory," PROMMANOW.com, 20 November 2010.
  12. ↑ "Benji Radach vs. Ovince St. Preux Added to Strikeforce Fight Card". MMAWeekly.com. 2010-11-30. Retrieved 2010-11-30.
  13. ↑ "St. Preux-Humphrey Fills Injury Gap at Jan. 7 ‘Challengers’". sherdog.com. 2010-12-14.
  14. ↑ "Ovince St. Preux wins his third fight in seven weeks to keep him run going". MMAbay.co.uk. 2011-01-08. Retrieved 2014-03-16.
  15. ↑ "Joe Cason vs. Ovince St-Preux targeted for July's Strikeforce Challengers 17 event". mmajunkie.com. 2011-06-25.
  16. ↑ "Ovince St. Preux vs. ex-champ Gegard Mousasi booked for Dec. 17 Strikeforce event". mmajunkie.com. 2011-09-20.
  17. ↑ "Ovince St. Preux meets Gian Villante in battle of Strikeforce vets at UFC 159". mmajunkie.com. February 8, 2013.
  18. ↑ "Ovince St. Preux pokes Gian Villante's eye, awarded win". mmajunkie.com. April 27, 2013.
  19. ↑ Jason Floyd (June 4, 2013). "Ovince St-Preux vs. Cody Donovan added to UFC on FS1 #1". themmareport.com.
  20. ↑ Staff (2013-11-20). "Thiago Silva vs. Ovince St. Preux added to UFC Fight Night 35 in Georgia". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2013-11-20.
  21. ↑ Staff (2013-11-21). "Thiago Silva scratches from UFC Fight Night 35 co-main opposite Ovince St. Preux". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2013-11-21.
  22. ↑ Tom Ngo (2013-12-07). "Thiago Silva vs. Ovince St. Preux Re-Booked for UFC 171". 5thround.com. Retrieved 2013-12-07.
  23. ↑ Staff (2014-02-07). "UFC's Thiago Silva jailed in Florida on four charges, including attempted murder". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-02-07.
  24. ↑ Matt Erickson, "UFC 171 Results: Ovince St. Preux Puts Nikita Krylov to Sleep with Von Flue Choke," MMA Junkie, 15 March 2014.
  25. ↑ Staff (2014-03-16). "UFC 171 bonuses: Hendricks, Lawler, St. Preux, Bermudez win $50,000". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-03-16.
  26. ↑ Staff (2014-05-02). "Ryan Jimmo vs. Ovince St. Preux added to UFC 174 in Vancouver". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-05-02.
  27. ↑ Dave Doyle (2014-06-14). "UFC 174 results: Ovince St. Preux defeats Ryan Jimmo via injury TKO". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2014-06-14.
  28. ↑ Guilherme Cruz (2014-06-18). "Ryan Bader, Ovince St. Preux headline UFC Fight Night in Maine". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2014-06-18.
  29. ↑ Chuck Mindenhall (2014-08-17). "UFC Fight Night 47 recap: Ryan Bader scores unanimous decision over Ovince St. Preux". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2014-08-17.
  30. ↑ C.J. Tuttle (2014-08-27). "Ovince St. Preux-‘Feijao’ Cavalcante showdown booked for UFC Fight Night on Nov. 8". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2014-08-27.
  31. ↑ Staff (2014-09-26). "Lesão tira Feijão de Uberlândia (Brazilian Portuguese)". ufc.com.br. Retrieved 2014-09-26.
  32. ↑ Staff (2014-10-29). "Jimi Manuwa out at UFC Fight Night 56, Ovince Saint Preux now meets 'Shogun' Rua". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-10-29.
  33. ↑ Steven Marrocco (2014-11-09). "UFC Fight Night 56 results: Ovince Saint Preux destroys Mauricio Rua in 34 seconds". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-11-09.
  34. ↑ Karim Zidan (2014-11-09). "UFC Fight Night Uberlandia bonuses: St. Preux pockets $50,000 for ‘Shogun’ TKO". bloodyelbow.com.
  35. ↑ Shaun Al-Shatti (2015-01-28). "Ovince St. Preux vs. Patrick Cummins slated for UFC on FOX 15". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2015-01-28.
  36. ↑ Ben Fowlkes (2015-04-18). "UFC on FOX 15 results: Ovince Saint Preux knocks out Patrick Cummins with uppercut". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-04-18.
  37. ↑ Mike Bohn (2015-05-20). "Ovince Saint Preux vs. Glover Teixeira gets UFC Fight Night 73 main event slot". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-05-20.
  38. ↑ Steven Marrocco (2015-08-09). "UFC Fight Night 73 results: Glover Teixeira chokes Ovince Saint Preux out cold in third". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-08-09.
  39. ↑ Mike Sloan (2015-08-09). "UFC Fight Night Bonuses: Teixeira, St. Preux, Nunes, Vera Pocket $50K in Nashville". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2015-08-09.
  40. ↑ Staff (2015-12-16). "Rafael 'Feijao' Cavalcante meets Ovince Saint Preux at UFC Fight Night 82 in Las Vegas". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-12-16.
  41. ↑ Steven Marrocco (2016-02-06). "UFC Fight Night 82 results: Injured Ovince Saint Preux dominates Rafael Cavalcante". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-02-06.
  42. ↑ Marc Raimondi (2016-04-02). "Jon Jones vs. Ovince Saint Preux set for UFC 197 with Daniel Cormier out". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2016-04-02.
  43. ↑ Thomas Myers (2016-04-24). "UFC 197 results: Rusty Jon Jones shuts down Ovince St. Preux, wins interim Light Heavyweight title". mmamania.com. Retrieved 2016-04-24.
  44. ↑ Marc Raimondi (2016-04-24). "Coach: Ovince Saint Preux broke his arm in second round vs. Jon Jones". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2016-04-24.
  45. ↑ "MMAjunkie’s ‘Knockout of the Month’ for April: A head-rattler tops them all - MMAjunkie". MMAjunkie.

External links

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