Ovince Saint Preux is no longer part of the UFC. The veteran mixed martial artist, known for his thrilling fights and unique submission skills, has officially signed with the Global Fight League (GFL) after his last appearance for the UFC, which ended unsuccessfully with a first-round submission loss to Ryan Spann at UFC 307.
The 41-year-old Saint Preux, who gained fame for his spectacular execution of the Von Flue choke, joins GFL as part of its innovative roster as the promotion gears up for its launch set for 2025. The announcement, confirmed on the official GFL website, highlights Saint Preux as one of the notable light heavyweight fighters joining the organization.
Saint Preux's career dates back 16 years, during which he amassed a record of 27 wins and 18 losses, with 20 of those wins coming by way of stoppage. He's perhaps best known for his fight against Jon Jones at UFC 197, where he stepped up as a short-notice replacement for Daniel Cormier. Despite losing by unanimous decision, his performance against one of the greatest fighters of all time catapulted him to the forefront of MMA fans’ minds.
After this title shot, Saint Preux faced several challenges, losing 10 out of his next 18 fights, with his last UFC victory coming against Kennedy Nzechukwu in March 2024. His performance trends showcased moments of brilliance, including his record-setting execution of the Von Flue choke—an unusual but effective submission maneuver which led many aficionados to endearingly dub it the 'Von Preux choke' following his successful applications against various opponents, including Yushin Okami and Michal Oleksiejczuk.
The GFL plans to revolutionize the MMA world with its unique team-based competition format. This new promotion is expected to feature teams competing across weight classes, which adds another layer of strategy and excitement to the fights. According to GFL founder Darren Owen, “Launching in 2025, the Global Fight League seeks to redefine the business model and promote competition in mixed martial arts.” The GFL will operate on the concept of revenue sharing among fighters and teams, making it distinct from traditional MMA promotions.
With investors from Silicon Valley backings, the GFL is gearing up to make significant waves when it launches, promising fights and events across 10 cities worldwide. The structure includes 20 fighters per team across various weight classes, all competing within the catchweight system, allowing for flexibility and strategic matchup planning.
Saint Preux's inclusion offers him fresh prospects, especially since the league's light heavyweight division may not hold the competitive depth found at his prior UFC home; fighters like Alexander Gustafsson and Thiago Santos are also joining, but many are older and past their prime. This circumstance could create a favorable scenario for Saint Preux to potentially capture the championship title he sought throughout his UFC career.
His future momentum will greatly depend on how the GFL plans to draft and match fighters. Fans are eager to see with which team Saint Preux ends up and how the promotion will craft its matchups. The anticipation surrounding the GFL indicates it will attract not just longtime MMA fans but also those new to the sport due to its engaging structure and promising income opportunities for fighters.
Other notable fighters signed to the GFL include former UFC champions and seasoned contenders like Tyron Woodley and Anthony Pettis, who have joined the promotion as it builds its identity. The GFL aims to create opportunities for these fighters, some of whom may be nearing the end of their careers, to continue competing at high levels.
Owen has expressed optimism about how the GFL will transform the combat sports industry. He recently stated plans to meet with potential broadcasters to hammer out television deals for the inaugural season, adding another element of intrigue as fans look forward to seeing how and where they can watch these fights.
For Ovince Saint Preux, this new chapter with GFL could invigorate his career—offering him not just fights but possibly the chance at glory he once chased within the UFC.
