Ovince Saint Preux stuns 'Shogun' Rua with 34-second knockout in UFC main event
Ovince Saint Preux called the opportunity to fight a legend like Mauricio "Shogun" Rua a blessing. Well, he certainly made the most of it.
Saint Preux stunned the crowd -- and just about everyone watching at home on FOX Sports 1 -- by knocking out Rua in just 34 seconds Saturday at UFC Fight Night in Uberlandia, Brazil. It was by far the biggest win of Saint Preux's career.
"In order to become a legend, you gotta beat a legend," Saint Preux told play-by-play man Jon Anik afterward. "That's what I did tonight."
Rua blitzed in early in the first round and Saint Preux side-stepped him, landing a left hook. Rua dropped and Saint Preux pounced, landing big ground and pound.
"When it landed, I knew I could finish him right there," Saint Preux said.
This wasn't even supposed to be the main event Saturday. "Shogun" was initially slated to face Jimi Manuwa, but Manuwa broke his foot last week. Saint Preux was scheduled to be in the co-main event against Francimar Barroso, but that fight was scrapped and Saint Preux moved up to take on Rua.
Saint Preux (17-6), who is not known for his knockout power, was coming off a unanimous decision loss to Ryan Bader in August. He was ranked No. 10 among light heavyweight contenders, while Rua was No. 9. Saint Preux, 31, got a late start in MMA after his career as a college football player at the University of Tennessee and it seems like he still has a high ceiling.
Rua (22-10) has now lost four of his last five bouts, the last two by knockout. Dan Henderson beat "Shogun" by TKO in the third round back in March. The talk this week could be a lot about how Rua, 32, should retire. "Shogun" is a former UFC light heavyweight champion and one of the best to come out of PRIDE.
"This fight meant a lot to me," Saint Preux said. "'Shogun' is a legend and I respect him. I'm still gonna be a big 'Shogun' fan."
Saint Preux might have picked up a few fans of his own Saturday night.
