Ovince St. Preux is a promising light heavyweight who enjoyed a breakout year in 2010 when he reeled off six straight wins over respectable competition (including Antwain Britt, Benji Radach, and Chris Hawk), earning a contract with Strikeforce in the process. A strong athlete, St. Preux played defensive end and linebacker at the University of Tennessee prior to embarking on his fighting career.

St. Preux has a high school wrestling background and is capable of taking his opponent to the mat. His takedown arsenal consists of a quick single, and the ability to drop down for an effective double leg from closer quarters. Since graduating from university, St. Preux has worked towards rounding out his grappling arsenal. He shows good control from the top, and employs an active guard passing game. He stays tight to his opposition, secures quick transitions, and his technical skills have improved steadily. St. Preux unloads with big flurries and heavy punches from the top. He’s particularly adept at securing his opponents back or side, where he unleashes a barrage of big left hands. St. Preux has shown good submission awareness – defending well and procuring opportunities offensively (including a win via calf slicer). St. Preux will need to shore up his defensive wrestling and cardio, as he does tend to fade and get taken down in the later stages of bouts. Like many young fighters entering the sport with backgrounds in wrestling, St. Preux will need to focus on his guard which still requires considerable work.

Ovince is armed with promising size and agility for his division. He shows good hand speed, quickness, reach, and power in his punching. He’s most effective from the left side where he throws a powerful uppercut and very good straight left. He uses a powerful left roundhouse kicks to target the opposition’s head and body, and fires a very quick knee right up the middle. St. Preux does possess knockout power in his hands and feet, and is capable of opening up if he senses his opponent is in danger. Defensively however, St. Preux doesn’t always cover up appropriately lets his opponents get inside his long range too easily. He drops his hands and leaves his chin exposed when he strikes, and is susceptible to crisp counters down the middle.