Tag: Ovince Saint Preux

Alexander Gustafsson to return at UFC 282 against Ovince Saint Preux

Not done yet, Alexander Gustafsson will look to pick up his first win since 2017 when he meets Ovince Saint Preux at UFC 282.

Two of the UFC light heavyweight division’s most seasoned veterans are expected to square off in the promotion’s final pay-per-view event of 2022.

Multitime UFC title challenger [autotag]Alexander Gustafsson[/autotag] is expected to return against former interim title challenger [autotag]Ovince Saint Preux[/autotag] in a light heavyweight bout. The fight will take place Dec. 10 at UFC 282 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Two people with knowledge of the matchup informed MMA Junkie of the booking Tuesday but asked to remain anonymous as the promotion has yet to make an official announcement.

Gustafsson (18-8 MMA, 10-8 UFC), 35, has not won since May 2017. He’s attempted four times, but all have resulted in finishing defeats. His four-fight skid includes a title challenge loss to Jon Jones by TKO, submission losses to Anthony Smith and Fabricio Werdum, and most recently a 67-second TKO loss to Nikita Krylov in July.

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Saint Preux, 39, snapped a two-fight skid in May at UFC 274 when he defeated Mauricio “Shogun” Rua by split decision in a relatively uneventful affair. Over the span of his most recent six outings, Saint Preux is 3-3 with appearances at both light heavyweight and heavyweight.

With the addition, the UFC 282 lineup includes:

  • Robbie Lawler vs. Santiago Ponzinibbio
  • Alexander Hernandez vs. Billy Quarantillo
  • Dalcha Lungiambula vs. Edmen Shahbazyan
  • Chris Daukaus vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik
  • Joaquin Buckley vs. Chris Curtis
  • Dalcha Lungiambula vs. Edmen Shahbazyan
  • T.J. Brown vs. Erik Silva
  • Daniel da Silva vs. Vinicius Salvador
  • Bo Nickal vs. Jamie Pickett
  • Ronnie Lawrence vs. Cameron Saaiman
  • Alexander Gustafsson vs. Ovince Saint Preux

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UFC 274 results: Ovince Saint Preux gets split call over ‘Shogun’ in dull rematch

It wasn’t particularly thrilling, but Ovince Saint Preux once again defeated Mauricio Rua in their UFC 274 rematch.

PHOENIX – It wasn’t particularly thrilling, but [autotag]Ovince Saint Preux[/autotag] once again defeated [autotag]Mauricio Rua[/autotag] in their UFC 274 rematch.

After scoring a 34-second knockout in their first meeting in November 2014, Saint Preux (26-16 MMA, 14-11 UFC) outpointed Rua (27-13-1 MMA, 11-11-1 UFC) over the course of three rounds to take a split decision by scores of 28-29, 29-28 and 30-27.

“Shogun,” a former UFC and PRIDE grand prix champion, said prior to the event that he only had two fights left in his career, and Saint Preux ensured he would not have the chance to go out on a winning streak.

The light heavyweight bout was part of the UFC 274 main card at Footprint Center in Phoenix.

Both men started the bout by gauging the distance. Rua used his traditional high muay-Thai guard, while Saint Preux attempted to throw kicks underneath the elbows to the body. Rua pressed forward but was also looking to counter punch. Saint Preux didn’t give him many opportunities, however, because of his kick-heavy approach. The crowd got restless and began to boo late in the opening round, which was quite slow-paced.

There wasn’t much of a change in the second round. Saint Preux stayed disciplined with his kicking attack, mixing up shots to Rua’s body and occasionally going to the head. Rua stayed patient and kicked the legs and body of his opponent, while mixing in bursts of punches. Nothing major landed for either side, however, and the crowd kept expressing frustration in the low-action affair through 10 relatively uneventful minutes.

The start of the third round saw Saint Preux shoot for the first takedown of the fight. He was denied, and was unable to hold Rua against the fence. The fight went back to open space and continued to see both men have difficulty finding the big shot they wanted to close the shot. Saint Preux and Rua traded punches and kicks, but did not take any massive risks as an upset crowd waved their cell phone lights as the clock listlessly wound down to a final bell.

Ultimately the judges valued Saint Preux’s minimal work more, and he got his hand raised. However, he did not receive a post-fight interview in the octagon.

Up-to-the-minute results of UFC 274 include:

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Ovince Saint Preux def. ‘Shogun’ Rua at UFC 274: Best photos

Check out these photos from Ovince Saint Preux vs. Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua at UFC 274 at Footprint Center in Phoenix.

Check out these photos from Ovince Saint Preux’s split decision win over Mauricio “Shogun” Rua at UFC 274 at Footprint Center in Phoenix. (Photos courtesy of Mark J. Rebilas, USA TODAY Sports)

 

UFC 274: Quick picks and prognostications

MMA Junkie fight analyst Dan Tom gives quick breakdowns and his predictions for the main card of UFC 274.

MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom breaks down the UFC’s top bouts. Today, we look at the main card for UFC 274.

UFC 274 takes place Saturday at Footprint Center in Phoenix. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and early prelims on ESPN+.

Last event’s results: 3-3

Overall picks for UFC main cards in 2022: 41-17

Welcome to MMA Junkie’s quick picks and prognostications, where I’ll be giving brief, fight-day breakdowns for UFC main cards.

With that in mind, I hope these write-ups don’t come off as curt or dismissive, as my goal here is to offer quick picks and analysis in a digestible format. All odds listed are provided by Tipico Sportsbook.

If you’d like more detailed analysis from me, then feel free to check out my weekly show, The Protect Ya’ Neck Podcast.

So, without further ado…

Ovince Saint Preux plans rough MMA exit for ‘Shogun’ Rua at UFC 274: ‘It sucks for him’

If MMA legend Mauricio Rua retires from competition at UFC 274, Ovince Saint Preux plans to send him out in devastating.

PHOENIX – If MMA legend [autotag]Mauricio Rua[/autotag] retires from competition at UFC 274, then [autotag]Ovince Saint Preux[/autotag] plans to send him out in devastating fashion once again.

Saint Preux (25-16 MMA, 13-11 UFC) and Rua (27-12-1 MMA, 11-10-1 UFC) are set to rematch on Saturday’s card at Footprint Center in a light heavyweight bout that airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+.

After OSP won the first fight by 34-second knockout in November 2014, the pair will finally run it back. Saint Preux has the goal of upstaging his previous performance and is paying no mind to the fact this could be the final time “Shogun” steps into the octagon.

“I fought him one time and beat him. If I do it again, it will probably be a staple,” Saint Preux told MMA Junkie and other reporters at UFC 274 media day on Wednesday. “It sucks for him. At the end of the day, I’m trying to make a statement.”

Although he wants to do better than his last fight with Rua, Saint Preux said he’s not leaning on the past matchup to lead him to victory.

“It’s pretty much pointless (to watch the first fight),” Saint Preux said. “People change, fighters change and styles change over time.”

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Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua, Ovince Saint Preux to rematch at UFC 274

Two UFC light heavyweight staples will rematch nearly eight years after their first meeting.

[autotag]Ovince Saint Preux[/autotag] and [autotag]Mauricio Rua[/autotag] are running it back.

Nearly eight years after their first meeting, “OSP” and “Shogun” will meet May 7 at UFC 274 for their second time fighting inside the promotion’s cage. MMA Junkie confirmed the signing of the bout. AG Fight was first to report the news.

The two fighters first fought at UFC Fight Night 56 in November 2014. The fight served as the card’s headliner and took place in Rua’s home country of Brazil. Saint Preux spoiled the party when he flattened Rua and finished the fight with strikes just 34 seconds into the bout.

They were expected to rematch in Japan in 2017, but Rua suffered a knee injury and withdrew from the bout.

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At UFC 274, Saint Preux looks to snap a two-fight skid. In recent years, he’s bounced between light heavyweight and heavyweight with mixed results. Over the span of his past 12 fights, Saint Preux has gone 6-6. Wins in that stretch include Corey Anderson, Tyson Pedro and Alonzo Menifield.

Rua (27-12-1 MMA, 11-10-1 UFC) has not competed since a November 2020 loss to Paul Craig. After the fight, UFC president Dana White voiced uncertainty about Rua’s future, despite it being his first loss in four outings. Since the loss to Saint Preux in 2014, Rua has gone 5-2-1.

With the addition, the UFC 274 lineup includes:

  • Champion Glover Teixeira vs. Jiri Prochazka
  • Champion Charles Oliveira def. Justin Gaethje
  • Macy Chiasson vs. Norma Dumont
  • Ariane Carnelossi vs. Lupita Godinez
  • Blagoy Ivanov vs. Marcos Rogerio de Lima
  • Kleydson Rodrigues vs. C.J. Vergara
  • Mauricio Rua vs. Ovince Saint Preux

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Ovince Saint Preux out of UFC Fight Night 197 vs. Philipe Lins

This week’s UFC return to Las Vegas has another hole in the lineup.

This week’s UFC return to Las Vegas has another hole in the lineup.

[autotag]Ovince Saint Preux[/autotag] (25-16 MMA, 15-12 UFC) is out of his light heavyweight fight against [autotag]Philipe Lins[/autotag] (14-5 MMA, 0-2 UFC) at UFC Fight Night 197 on Saturday. MMA Junkie confirmed his withdrawal from a person with knowledge of the matchup. The promotion made the announcement on the UFC 268 post-fight show.

UFC Fight Night 197 takes place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The event streams on ESPN+.

Saint Preux was looking to snap a two-fight skid of TKO losses to Jamahal Hill and Tanner Boser in his return to 205 pounds. Those setbacks came on the heels of a knockout win over Alonzo Menifield.

It is not yet known if Lins will remain on the card against a short-notice replacement opponent. He has consecutive losses to Boser and Andrei Arlovski, both in 2020 in his first two fights in the promotion. Prior to signing with the UFC, Lins had four straight stoppage wins in the PFL, including a $1 million win in the promotion’s 2018 heavyweight season.

With the change, the UFC Fight Night 197 lineup includes:

MAIN CARD (ESPN+, 4 p.m. ET)

  • Max Holloway vs. Yair Rodriguez
  • Marcos Rogerio de Lima vs. Ben Rothwell
  • Leah Letson vs. Felicia Spencer
  • Philipe Lins vs. TBA
  • Kyle Daukaus vs. Roman Dolidze
  • Julio Arce vs. Song Yadong

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+, 1 p.m. ET)

  • Joel Alvarez vs. Thiago Moises
  • Cynthia Calvillo vs. Andrea Lee
  • Miguel Baeza vs. Khaos Williams
  • Collin Anglin vs. Sean Woodson
  • Cortney Casey vs. Liana Jojua
  • Rafael Alves vs. Marc Diakiese
  • Da Un Jung vs. Kennedy Nzechukwu

Philipe Lins, Ovince Saint Preux verbally agree to fight at UFC event Nov. 13

Both men most recently competed at heavyweight, but will change divisions for this fight.

The UFC schedule continues to roll out, as it is finalizing another event for the month of November – and a light heavyweight bout to go along with it.

The promotion is currently targeting former PFL heavyweight champion [autotag]Philipe Lins[/autotag] for a drop to 205 pounds when he takes on longtime promotional veteran [autotag]Ovince Saint Preux[/autotag]. The bout is expected to take place Nov. 13 with verbal agreements in place.

Two people with knowledge of the matchup recently informed MMA Junkie of the targeted booking but asked to remain anonymous as the promotion has yet to make an official announcement.

No other fights, nor a location or venue, have yet been announced for the card at this time.

Lins (14-5 MMA, 0-2 UFC) has encountered tough luck as of late, with consecutive losses to Tanner Boser and Andrei Arlovski. Prior to his UFC debut, Lins rattled off four wins in a row – all inside the distance under the PFL banner. Lins is one of the few fighters in MMA history to have competed in the UFC, Bellator, and PFL.

Saint Preux (25-16 MMA, 15-12 UFC), too, will look to snap a recent skid in his return to 205 pounds. Following a knockout victory over Dana White’s Contender signee Alonzo Menifield, Saint Preux was stopped with strikes in back-to-back fights against Jamahal Hill and Tanner Boser.

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5 biggest takeaways from UFC Fight Night 190: Ciryl Gane’s road to gold, ‘OSP’s’ appeal, more

Thoughts and analysis of the biggest storylines coming out of UFC Fight Night 190, which took place Saturday in Las Vegas.

What mattered most at UFC Fight Night 190 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas? Here are a few post-fight musings …

Ovince Saint Preux plans to appeal knockout loss to Tanner Boser at UFC Fight Night 190

Ovince Saint Preux plans to file an appeal of his TKO loss to Tanner Boser.

The co-main event of UFC Fight Night 190 between [autotag]Ovince Saint Preux[/autotag] and [autotag]Tanner Boser[/autotag] ended in a knockout in the second round, but not without a controversial moment just prior to the stoppage.

Saint Preux (25-16 MMA, 13-11 UFC) had Boser (20-8-1 MMA, 4-3 UFC) on his back close to the fence after securing a takedown. Boser tried to improve his posture by pushing himself away from Saint Preux, including using his right hand against the fence for leverage.

At the moment, it appeared Boser may have grabbed the fence to pull himself up, which prompted referee Jason Herzog to step in and touch both fighters, an action that usually signals a pause to the action. However, Herzog did not pause the action after making contact and allowed the fight to continue.

Alternate replay angles shown during the broadcast made it appear that Boser’s fist was closed as he pushed against the fence, which is legal. He also denied grabbing the fence during the post-fight news conference.

The action resulted in Boser getting back to his feet and landing strikes that resulted in a knockout stoppage just a few seconds later.

MMA Junkie confirmed Saint Preux now plans to protest the result following a report from MMA Fighting, claiming the referee’s actions caused him to pause during a key moment of the fight.

“I felt the ref put his hand on my back, which is only done to pause the action or call a finish,” Saint Preux said in a statement. “I slightly paused and then the tide turned. We will be protesting and requesting a no-contest.”

Saint Preux’s return to the heavyweight division did not go as planned as he was down on the scorecards after the first round. If Saturday’s second-round stoppage result stands after appeal, he will be 0-2 in the weight class.

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