Ovince Saint Preux's new style? 'People running into my punches'

LAS VEGAS – After an August 2015 loss to former title challenger Glover Teixeira, Ovince Saint Preux decided to take some time off and work on his fighting style.

So what can we expect from Saint Preux (18-7 MMA, 6-2 UFC), who’s No. 8 in the USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA light-heavyweight rankings, when he takes on unranked ex-Strikeforce champion Rafael Cavalcante (12-6 MMA, 1-3 UFC) on Saturday at UFC Fight Night 82?

He said his coach, Eric Turner, has made a few tweaks ahead of the main-card bout, which airs on FOX Sports 1 from Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena.

“Instead of me trying to chase people down, it’s going to be a style that people are running into my punches,” Saint Preux told MMAjunkie on Wednesday.

Saint Preux’s punches have rarely been an issue; he owns nine knockouts in 18 career wins. But as he continues fighting top 205-pounders – he’s faced Teixeira, Patrick Cummins, Mauricio Rua and Ryan Bader in his four most recent bouts – the 32-year-old said the “prospect” and “up-and-coming” tags can be eliminated.

“The up-and-coming part just passed,” he said. “I’m one of the contenders now that can be a threat. As long as I got out there and do my job, I can prove that to people.”

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