Issue 115
June 2014
Rising star Ovince St Preux improved to 3-0 in the UFC’s 205lb division in Texas in March using the rarely seen, yet completely dangerous, Von Flue choke.
When it was announced that Nikita Krylov would face Ovince St Preux at UFC 171, most fans expected a slugfest between two heavy-handed strikers. After all, OSP had nearly crushed Cody Donovan’s skull with some brutal ground ‘n’ pound at UFC Fight Night 26 last summer, while Krylov needed just 25 seconds to register his first Octagon victory with a vicious head kick against Walt Harris at the start of the year.
And while it may not have been the haymaker bombing assault fans were looking forward to, expectations were more than appeased when St Preux choked Krylov unconscious with the extremely rare Von Flue choke. Yet, while the unorthodox submission came as a surprise to most ringside and home audience viewers, OSP admits he doesn’t understand what all the fuss was about.
“I knew it would win ‘Performance of the Night’ but I didn’t realize everyone was going to make a big deal about it,” the Haitian-American said in an exclusive interview with FO. “I didn’t know it was going to get that much attention.”
St Preux admits he felt tempted to use his dynamic striking skills against Krylov, however, decided to stick with the plan his team had set for him.
“During the fight I was telling myself to stick to the game plan, which was to take him down to the ground. I wanted to stand and strike with him, but my coach was adamant we take him down to the ground.
“When I took him down I didn’t expect him to hold on to my head the way he did. He was holding on to my head and I thought he was going to let go, but when I realized he wasn’t going to do that I knew I had to go for the Von Flue choke.
“By that time, even my coaches were yelling for the Von Flue choke. They were shouting at me, saying that even if his head pops out that the kimura was there. I actually let go of the arm I had trapped because I was pretty sure he wasn’t going to go anywhere. I knew he was going to keep holding my head.”
OSP adds: “I actually let go before (referee) Dan Miragliotta came in to stop us because I already knew he was asleep.”
With his opponent lying on the mat unconscious, plus a cool $50,000 bonus check for his slick handiwork being signed, you’d think St Preux would be dreaming of getting some new toys to play with. However, the light heavyweight contender had less selfish plans for his bonus cash.
“I’m probably going to use it to help my parents,” he says. “I don’t need much, I don’t have children and I’m not married.”
