It’s a light heavyweight affair at UFC Vegas 88.
Old School vs. New School
A longtime staple of the weight class, Ovince Saint Preux is back in the Octagon. The former title challenger’s next test comes against ‘The African Savage’ Kennedy Nzechukwu inside the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Saint Preux, 40, has had better days in his UFC career as he is 1-3 in his last four fights. We last saw OSP over a year ago in a first-round TKO defeat to Phillips Lins. He’ll look to bounce back with a victory over the younger contender.
Nzechukwu also heads into the matchup coming off a loss, a TKO stoppage at the hands of Dustin Jacoby. This snapped an impressive three-fight win streak for the Nigerian-born fighter. Nzechukwu will look to regain his momentum with a win over UFC veteran Saint Preux.
Round 1:
OSP and Nzechukwu gauge their distance on the feet, not throwing much for the first minute. OSP lands a couple of leg kicks. Nzechukwu throws a few punches that don’t seem to connect. Nzechukwu lands a right hand. Nzechukwu pumps out the jab. Nzechukwu lands a leg kick. Jab lands for Nzechukwu to which OSP returns up top with a combo. OSP pops Nzechukwu with a jab. The light heavyweights exchange leg kicks.
Nzechukwu eats a big jab from OSP. OSP lands a leg kick. OSP keeps on throwing, however he doesn’t find his target for the most part towards the end of the round.
CDS: 10-9 OSP
Round 2:
Nzechukwu starts off more aggressive, but isn’t able to land clean with his strikes. OSP works the jab and lands a leg kick. Nzechukwu fires the jab over and over again. OSP punches to the body. Right hand lands for Nzechukwu. Nzechukwu keeps at it with his jab. OSP narrowly lands a teep kick to the face. OSP throws the same kick to which Nzechukwu catches it and backs up against the cage. They separate. OSP lands a two-strike combo. The fighter trade punches up close.
OSP finds a home for his punches. OSP hits Nzechukwu with the jab and follows it up with a right hook.
CDS: 10-9 OSP
Round 3:
Nzechukwu patters OSP with the jab. OSP knocks down Nzechukwu with an uppercut. Nzechukwu quickly gets back up to his feet. OSP lands another uppercut and pushes the pace against ‘The African Savage’. Nzechukwu stands his ground, landing his own strikes against the oncoming OSP. Nzechukwu eats a cross from OSP. Jab lands for OSP.
OSP’s cross finds his target once again. Nzechukwu lands a clean uppercut on the former title challenger. OSP works to the body, following up with shots to the head. Both men work at an insane pace in this final round, trading blows in the pocket.
Nzechukwu swings big in the phone booth but just misses. OSP punches to the body while in the clinch. Nzechukwu lands a right hook. OSP presses forward with strikes. Knee up the middle lands for Nzechukwu. OSP finishes the fight strong with a slow, but steady string of punches.
CDS: 10-9 OSP
Official result: Ovince Saint Preux defeats Kennedy Nzechukwu via unanimous decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Check out the highlights below:
What a fight from @003_OSP 😤
He leaves #UFCVegas88 with a split decision victory! pic.twitter.com/jWt4vwVZBW
— UFC (@ufc) March 17, 2024
"ANYBODY CAN GET IT" 😤
The OG, OSP is always ready! #UFCVegas88 | LIVE on TNT Sports & discovery+ pic.twitter.com/deOcp2Tzss
— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) March 17, 2024
