Introduction
Ovince Saint Preux, known universally by the initials OSP, is the most athletically unorthodox light-heavyweight in modern UFC history. A Haitian-born, Knoxville, Tennessee-raised fighter who brought a portfolio of spinning and unorthodox attacks to the 205 lb division, OSP built a decade-long UFC career defined by spectacular KO finishes and multiple Performance of the Night bonuses. He challenged Jon Jones for the UFC Light-Heavyweight Championship at UFC 197 in April 2016, losing by unanimous decision, and remains one of the most entertaining fighters never to have held a divisional title.
Quick Stats
Full Name: Ovince Lubino Saint Preux
Nickname: OSP
Born: April 26, 1983 (Jacmel, Haiti; raised in Knoxville, Tennessee, USA)
Height: 6'2" (188 cm)
Weight Class: Light Heavyweight (205 lb)
Pro Record: 28-17-0 (19 KO, 4 SUB, 5 DEC)
UFC Career Record: 12-12
Title Shot: UFC 197 vs Jon Jones for UFC LHW Championship (April 23, 2016), lost UD
Background
Ovince Saint Preux was born on April 26, 1983 in Jacmel, Haiti — a coastal city on Haiti's southern coast. His family emigrated to Knoxville, Tennessee, where he attended the University of Tennessee and played football. He started MMA training after college and built a regional Tennessee and southeastern US career before the UFC contract arrived. The unorthodox striking style — spinning attacks, oblique kicks, and unpredictable angles — emerged from years of self-developed training supplemented by traditional martial arts.
The UFC debut came in 2012. The first fifteen UFC fights produced a 10-5 record with eight finishes including KO of the Night bonuses. The Jon Jones title shot at UFC 197 in April 2016 came after Jones's original opponent Alexander Gustafsson withdrew — OSP stepped up on short notice and performed respectably in a losing effort across five rounds. The post-title career continued into the early 2020s with wins over Alonzo Menifield and others.
Fighting Style
OSP's style is the most unorthodox striking approach in modern UFC light-heavyweight history. The spinning heel kick, the flying knee, the oblique kick series, and the upkick from the ground all feature in OSP's offensive portfolio — a range of unusual strikes that makes him uniquely difficult to prepare for. The 19 career KO wins confirm the finishing power. The vulnerability is sustained championship-distance wrestling pressure: elite-level wrestlers like Ryan Bader and Alexander Gustafsson have consistently outpointed OSP by negating the striking variety with takedowns and cage control.
Career Highlights
UFC 197 — Jones def. OSP, UD (April 23, 2016)
The UFC Light-Heavyweight Championship fight, in Las Vegas. Jon Jones — the greatest light-heavyweight of all time — won by unanimous decision over five rounds. OSP stepped up on short notice to replace Alexander Gustafsson and performed respectably throughout.
UFC Fight Night 83 — OSP def. Jimi Manuwa, KO R1 (January 17, 2016)
Jimi Manuwa — the heavy-handed British contender — was knocked out by OSP in the first round. Knockout of the Night and the win that produced the Jones title shot booking.
Championships and Title Reigns
UFC LHW Championship: Never won — one title shot at UFC 197 vs Jon Jones (April 2016), lost UD
Performance Bonuses: Multiple — Knockout of the Night (Manuwa, others), Performance of the Night
Notable Wins: Jimi Manuwa, Nikita Krylov, Cyrille Diabate, Rashad Evans, Alonzo Menifield
Fun Facts
• Born in Jacmel, Haiti — one of the very few Haitian-born UFC fighters in the sport's history.
• Played football at the University of Tennessee before transitioning to MMA.
• Stepped up on short notice to face Jon Jones at UFC 197 — one of the most high-profile short-notice title shots in modern UFC LHW history.
• 19 career KO wins across a diverse unorthodox striking portfolio including spinning heel kicks, flying knees, and upkicks.
Legacy and Verdict
Ovince Saint Preux's UFC legacy is the most unorthodox striking career in modern UFC light-heavyweight history. The Jon Jones title shot, the Jimi Manuwa KO, and the consistent Performance of the Night bonus appearances confirm championship-adjacent credentials. OSP is in any reasonable list of the ten most entertaining UFC light-heavyweights of the post-Evans era, and the Haitian-Tennessean origin story, the unique striking style, and the decade of UFC competition place him among the most distinctive personalities the division has produced.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did OSP fight Jon Jones?
Yes — at UFC 197 on April 23, 2016. OSP stepped up on short notice to replace Alexander Gustafsson; Jones won by unanimous decision.
Where is Ovince Saint Preux from?
OSP was born in Jacmel, Haiti and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee, USA. He attended the University of Tennessee.