Ovince Saint Preux: OSP — Fighter Profile, Career & Legacy
- Daniel Cornmeat
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
Introduction
Ovince Saint Preux is the most spectacular spinning-attack light-heavyweight in modern UFC history. A Port-au-Prince, Haiti-born fighter who became one of the first Haitian-American athletes to compete at the top level of American professional MMA, OSP (as he is universally known) built a UFC career defined by eye-catching spinning and twisting strikes that produced five Performance of the Night and Knockout of the Night bonuses and some of the most replayed single-finish sequences in UFC light-heavyweight history. His Von Flue choke submission of Cody McKenzie and spinning attacks across a decade of UFC competition earned him permanent status as one of the most exciting never-champion light-heavyweights of his era.
Quick Stats
Full Name: Ovince Saint Preux
Nickname: OSP
Born: October 24, 1983 (Port-au-Prince, Haiti; raised in Tennessee, USA)
Height: 6'3" (190 cm) | Reach: 77" (196 cm) | Weight Class: Light Heavyweight (205 lb)
Pro Record: 26-18-0 (12 KO, 10 SUB, 4 DEC) | UFC Record: 13-13
Notable: 5+ Performance bonuses; Von Flue choke of Cody McKenzie; one UFC title shot (Jon Jones, May 2016)
Background
Ovince Saint Preux was born on October 24, 1983 in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. His family relocated to Tennessee in the United States when he was a child, and he attended the University of Tennessee where he competed in collegiate football as a defensive end. He started training MMA after football and built a regional Tennessee and southeastern circuit career before the UFC signing. The UFC debut came in June 2012 at UFC on FX 4 — a second-round submission win over Cody McKenzie via Von Flue choke, one of the rarest technique finishes in modern UFC history.
The defining career moment came on May 29, 2016 at UFC Fight Night 88 when OSP received a short-notice title shot against Jon Jones — one of the greatest fighters in UFC history — after Glover Teixeira withdrew injured. Jones won by unanimous decision, but OSP's willingness to accept the short-notice challenge on 12 days' notice cemented his reputation as one of the most team-first competitors in the UFC roster.
Career Highlights
UFC on FX 4 — OSP def. Cody McKenzie, Von Flue Choke R2 (June 2012)
The UFC debut — and one of the rarest technique finishes in modern UFC history. The Von Flue choke is applied when an opponent tries to apply a guillotine choke from guard; the defending fighter drops their shoulder into the choking position, cutting off blood flow. OSP executed it flawlessly in the second round. Submission of the Night.
UFC Fight Night 88 — Jones def. OSP, UD (May 29, 2016)
The short-notice UFC Light-Heavyweight Championship fight. OSP accepted on 12 days' notice after Glover Teixeira withdrew. Jon Jones won by unanimous decision. OSP's willingness to accept the impossible fight confirmed his reputation as one of the most respected teammates and competitors in the UFC LHW division.
Multiple Performance and KO of the Night bonuses
OSP accumulated five or more UFC post-fight bonuses across his career through spinning attacks, flying knees, and submission technique finishes — the most bonus-rich record of any UFC LHW who never held the championship.
Legacy and Verdict
Ovince Saint Preux's UFC legacy is built on three pillars: the Von Flue choke debut, the short-notice Jon Jones title fight, and the bonus-rich spinning-attack career that produced five or more post-fight awards. The Haitian-American identity, the University of Tennessee collegiate football background, and the Tennessee MMA training base make OSP one of the most unique origin stories in modern UFC LHW history. He retires as the most beloved never-champion bonus collector in UFC light-heavyweight history.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did OSP fight for a UFC title?
Yes — on short notice. OSP accepted a UFC Light-Heavyweight Championship fight against Jon Jones on 12 days' notice at UFC Fight Night 88 (May 29, 2016). Jones won by unanimous decision.
What is a Von Flue choke?
A Von Flue choke is applied as a counter when an opponent attempts a guillotine choke from guard. The defending fighter drops their shoulder into the choking opponent's neck, cutting off carotid blood flow. It is one of the rarest technique finishes in MMA. OSP's debut submission of Cody McKenzie via Von Flue in 2012 is the most replayed Von Flue finish in UFC history.
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