Ovince Saint Preux

Ovince Saint Preux (born April 8, 1983) is an American professional mixed martial artist who competes in the light heavyweight division of the UFC.

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.

He earned varsity letters in 2002 and 2004, appearing in seventeen games during his college career.

He graduated in 2004 with a degree in sociology, and began to train in kickboxing and submission grappling.

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.

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

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.

A professional competitor since 2008, Saint Preux has also formerly competed for Strikeforce, the XFC, and Shark Fights.

He is known for his unorthodox fighting style, and has gained notability and notoriety for having won four fights using the rare Von Flue choke submission, leading to fans renaming it to the "Von Preux choke".

Saint Preux was born in Immokalee, Florida, to Haitian immigrant parents.

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.

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.

In June 2010, Saint Preux signed a multi-fight deal with Strikeforce.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Saint Preux faced Joe Cason on July 22, 2011, at Strikeforce Challengers: Voelker vs. Bowling III.

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.

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 knockout with a punch.

Saint Preux compiled a record of 5–1 within the promotion.

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.

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.