UFC Jacksonville: Ben Rothwell Spoils Ovince Saint Preux’s HW, Octagon Debut

Ovince Saint Preux moved up from light-heavyweight to face veteran heavyweight Ben Rothwell tonight at UFC Jacksonville, and while OSP impressed, Rothwell ruled the day.

Round one

Rothwell came out pressuring and OSP looked to counter. Rothwell scored with a couple of shots early on, but OSP ate them. Mid round, Rothwell was still moving forward while OSP was fired the odd kick and moving laterally. OSP fired a head kick but Rothwell countered with a takedown. With OSP kneeling against the cage, Rothwell landed a few shots from above and pressed his weight on the veteran light-heavyweight. OSP finally got back to his feet.

Round two

OSP threatened with a head kick moments into the round. Not long after, OSP fired in a hard body kick as well. Rothwell flurried in not long after and scored with a couple of uppercuts. OSP just missed with a big left and Rothwell returned with a kick to the body. Rothwell clinched up and fired some knees from the Muay Thai clinch. Rothwell dug to the body with with a left and clinched up again. Rothwell went for a takedown but OSP defended.

Late in the round, OSP caught Rothwell with a counter left that momentarily put the heavyweight on the deck.

Round three

OSP switched to orthodox in round three for a bit and picked up the pace. Just over a minute in, however, Rothwell planted several hard shots, including a couple to the body. Rothwell clinched up against the fence, but OSP eventually broke free. OSP winged in some hard punches and Rothwell just missed with a huge right. Rothwell continued to move forward and clinched up again. OSP landed a couple of shots off the break and Rothwell returned fire. Both men winged huge shots and Rothwell stumbled to the floor, right after the final horn. Very solid fight.

Two of the three judges awarded the fight to Rothwell.

Here are the results so far from UFC Jacksonville.

Ben Rothwell def. Ovince Saint Preux via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Drew Dober def. Alexander Hernandez via TKO (punches) R2, 4:25
Ricky Simon def. Ray Borg via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Andrei Arlovski def. Philipe Lins via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Thiago Moises def. Michael Johnson via submission (heel hook) R2, 0:25
Sijara Eubanks def. Sarah Moras via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
Omar Morales def. Gabriel Benitez via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Brian Kelleher def. Hunter Azure via KO (punches) R2, 3:40
Chase Sherman def. Ike Villanueva via TKO (strikes) R2, 0:49