Jon Jones to face Ovince Saint Preux for interim title at UFC 197
Ovince Saint Preux has stepped in the place of injured light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier and face Jon Jones in a new UFC 197 main event bout, UFC president Dana White announced Saturday on ESPN.
The April 23 fight between Jones and Saint Preux will be for an interim light heavyweight title.
Cormier dropped off the card on Friday with an apparent leg injury, and it didn't take long for rumors to start swirling about Jones receiving a replacement opponent.
While several names were mentioned, including former title contender Anthony Johnson, the choice ultimately came down to Saint Preux, who has recently been itching to return to action.
Hey @003_OSP just wanted to thank you for stepping up and taking this fight last minute. Grateful for the opportunity to compete with you
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) April 2, 2016
Big thanks to the @ufc for this incredible opportunity. One question: You down with #OSP? #UFC197 @KnoxMma #RQQ #VFL pic.twitter.com/jMsfrWiu30
— Ovince Saint Preux (@003_OSP) April 3, 2016
Johnson was the first choice, but according to White he had oral surgery recently and couldn't even put a mouthpiece into his mouth for another three weeks.
Saint Preux will step into the bout off his last win over Rafael "Feijao" Cavalcante in February where he beat the former Strikeforce champion by unanimous decision.
The former University of Tennessee football player has gone 7-2 during his time with the UFC with both losses coming to top five ranked fighters Ryan Bader and Glover Teixeira.
It's a big step up in competition to face Jones on three weeks' notice, but the winner of the Jones vs. Saint Preux interim title fight will then battle Cormier later this year to unify the light heavyweight championship.
Flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson will take on Henry Cejudo in the co-main event on the card taking place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
