Ovince Saint Preux is not a UFC fighter.
The person who fought Jon Jones for UFC gold as an thrilling, up-and-coming challenger in Dana White’s roster has signed with a brand new MMA promotion.
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Saint Preux had his final UFC struggle in October, dropping by first-round submission to Ryan Spann at UFC 307.
The 41-year-old has now signed with the World Battle League (GFL), in keeping with the official web site, which lists the Haitian as an formally signed mild heavyweight.
Saint Preux is legendary for his distinctive methods and strikes, particularly the Von Flue choke.
He holds the UFC report for the best variety of victories achieved by means of the Von Flue choke, tapping out his opponents 4 instances with the uncommon submission.
This even led to many followers renaming the manoeuvre the ‘Von Preux choke’ as he secured victories with it in opposition to Nikita Krylov, Marcos Rogerio de Lima, Yushin Okami, and most just lately, Michal Oleksiejczuk.
Saint Preux debuted with the UFC in 2013 after efficiently climbing his approach to the highest of Strikeforce, which despatched most of its fighters to White’s promotion after its mother or father firm, Zuffa, closed the organisation.
He went unbeaten in his first three bouts and ultimately earned a title shot in opposition to Jones, filling in for UFC Corridor of Famer Daniel Cormier at UFC 197 as a short-notice harm alternative.
Though Saint Preux went the gap with Jones and misplaced by way of unanimous resolution, it could not set a precedent for issues to return.
He proceeded to lose 10 of his subsequent 18 bouts in White’s promotion, along with his final victory coming in opposition to Kennedy Nzechukwu in March 2024.
GFL will launch in 2025 with a team-based idea after securing funding from tech traders in Silicon Valley.
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The brand-new promotion will characteristic six groups throughout 4 continents, with venues booked in 10 cities worldwide.
Every group will encompass 20 fighters throughout 10 weight courses, a singular characteristic of the GFL, as all bouts will reportedly function below a catchweight system.
In December, the GFL introduced the highest 50 most-followed fighters who’ve signed with the promotion.
Former UFC champion Tyron Woodley topped the checklist, with different ex-UFC stars akin to Fabricio Werdum, Anthony Pettis, Luke Rockhold and Alexander Gustafsson additionally featured.
Talking on The Ariel Helwani Present, GFL founder Darren Owen revealed the enterprise mannequin behind his MMA promotion.
“Launching in 2025, the World Battle League seeks to redefine the enterprise mannequin and improve competitors in blended martial arts,” he stated.
“Athletes and coaches will probably be a part of an incentive and income sharing plan primarily based on league success, whereas competing for glory and fascinating with followers in cities around the globe.
“The GFL will reimagine the enterprise of fight sports activities for the twenty first century.”
GFL will even have a 50/50 income share mannequin with the fighters and supply retirement incentives.
Quite a few fights signed to the promotion are largely previous their prime and will solely have one or two fights left of their skilled careers.
Stuart Austin is likely one of the few MMA fighters who can declare to have a victory over UFC interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall.
He’s one among 4 English fighters to characteristic in MMA’s new league, with Danny ‘The Cheesecake Murderer’ Mitchell, former PFL fighter Oscar Ownsworth, and ex-UFC consultant Cameron Else additionally signed to the promotion.
Owens additionally informed Helwani that he’ll meet with potential broadcasters in January to barter broadcast rights for the promotion’s inaugural season.