With Daniel Cormier now removed from the main event at UFC 197, Ovince St. Pruex now steps up to face Jon Jones in the headlining bout.
On Friday, reports of Daniel Cormier being injured and unable to compete surfaced leaving many to speculate who would step in on three weeks notice to take on the pound-for-pound great, or even if Jones would still compete at the event at all. Anthony Johnson had thrown his name out as a potential candidate should there be an opening.
Jones (21-1. 16-1 in UFC) recently ran into more legal trouble after being incarcerated from Tuesday til Thursday this week after violating his probation. On Thursday he was released from ABQ custody and allowed to compete at UFC 197. Jones last competed against Daniel Cormier at UFC 182 winning by judges decision and defending his UFC Light Heavyweight championship. Jones was then involved in a hit-and-run that forced the UFC to indefinitely suspend him and strip him of his title. With that now behind him Jones looks to continue his dominance and once again earn back his championship.
“OSP” (19-7, 7-2 in UFC) steps in on three weeks notice to fight for his first championship since joining Strikeforce back in 2010. St. Preux is coming off a judges decision victory over Rafael Calvacante and is ranked No. 6 in the UFC. He also holds victories over the likes of Gian Vilante, Ryan Jimmo, Patrick Cummins and Mauricio “Shogun” Rua.
UFC 197 takes place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 23rd and will stream live on pay-per-view.