OSP went 6-0 in 2010
Tomorrow at Strikeforce Challengers Series 13 in Nashville, Tennessee a familiar face will be fighting for the third straight time on the televised portion of a Strikeforce event. Ovince Saint Preux (9-4) has gotten a lot of attention on social networks for this feat but in 2011 he wants to be known by name worldwide.
Saint Preux will be facing a tough opponent in heavy-handed striker Abongo Humphrey (7-2). He’ll be looking to continue his winning streak, currently at six when he steps into the cage as part one of his 2011 goals.
Saint Preux talks about his opponent, how he plans on following up a 6-0 record in 2010 and his on the job training in our interview with the Haitian-American fighter.
Strikeforce Challengers Series 13 can be seen live on Showtime on Friday January 7th and don’t worry if you don’t have Showtime because this weekend is a free preview. ShoMMA 13 will be headlined by a welterweight clash between undefeated Tyron Woodley and Tarec Saffiedine.
Your fight with Abongo Humphrey is your 3rd fight in less than two months, how do you feel physically?
I can honestly say that my body feels good. Like I always tell everyone, you got to take care of your body is the #1 thing. With both fights I walked out with pretty much no injuries, other than my hand hurting from punching and other than that I feel great.
Is this a decision to fight as much as possible?
I wasn’t looking for it but at the same time when your bosses call you, you take the fight. I have a little streak going on right now and I want to keep it going. I’ve been working my butt off and keep on training and doing my best. My trainer / coach said yes to the fight before I even did.
You played College football at Tennessee, what is any does football bring to the table that helps you in MMA?
The work ethic and the discipline, it has helped me out tremendously
Your last fight with Benji Radach was a complete domination by you, yet you couldn’t finish him. What did you learn from the fight?
It was one of those instances where the Ref didn’t stop the fight so what I wanted to do was not to over exert myself. I learned in the Antwain Britt fight where I did gas out after trying to finish him off by throwing like 47 power punches.
What are you thoughts on your opponent, Abongo Humphrey?
He is definitely a good stand up guy; he sets up his punches and kicks well. He trains out of Atlanta and is a quality opponent who looks like a beast.
With such little time between fights, have you trained for anything specific for Humphrey?
My Basically trained like all my other fights, hopefully stick and move and use my normal game plan. I’m always worried about people taking my to the ground as I prefer to stand, but I do consider myself a well-rounded fighter. My ground game is more decent than anything else, but I can pull off submissions.
How long have you been training MMA?
I have only been training MMA for four years ago when I started green.
So it’s like you are learning on the job then?
That’s basically it, I’m learning with every fight and it improves me.
For fans that might be new to O.S.P. What can they expect to see from you on January 7th?
I tell everyone that when I fight it’s going to be exciting whether I win or lose I always want to put on a good fight for the fans. Thus far with all my fights have ended up being exciting for the fans.
Will you have friends and family be making the trip to watch you from Knoxville, Tennessee, roughly 180 miles east of where ShoMMA 13 is being held at in Nashville, Tennessee?
Well all my family lives in Florida but I’m still going to have lots of friends from both Knoxville and Nashville.
You went 6-0 in 2010, how do you plan to top that in 2011?
Well I told my before 2010 that I wanted to get my record to a better place and sign with a major company, which I did with Strikeforce. In 2011 I told myself I want the whole world to know who Ovince Saint Preux is and hopefully by the end of the year get a title shot.
Are there any sponsors you’d like to thank?
Want to thank my trainer and head coach Eric Tanner, without him I would never be in the position that I’m in now. My strength and conditioning coach, Nate the great from next level fitness center level. My manager and of course all my sponsors.
