UFC 197: Jon Jones vs. Ovince Saint Preux Toe to Toe Preview – A Complete Breakdown

Jon Jones fights for the interim light heavyweight belt against Ovince Saint Preux this April 23, 2016 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Single sentence summary:

Phil: The UFC’s antihero kingpin returns to fight a surprisingly deadly softball.

David: Jones fought the law and the law’s done. Now it’s OSP’s turn.

Stats

Record: Light Heavyweight Jon Jones 21-1 vs.Ovince Saint Preux 19-7

Odds: Light HeavyweightJon Jones -605 vs.Ovince Saint Preux +505

History lesson / introduction to the fighters

Phil: Jon Jones was the man everyone loved to hate. In his time away he’s reversed that perception a bit, strangely enough. Are people just happy to see the “real” Bones? Do they just hate sermonizing, so they rankle at Cormier’s speeches the way they used to react to Jones’ obsequious preaching? Are people just relieved to have him back? Probably some combination of the above.

David: Well I think deep down in places they don’t talk about parties, fans want Jones on that wall. They need Jones on that wall. They may weep for class, respect, and the American way, but that’s the luxury of not knowing what fuels active sports watching. That cocaine, marijuana, and infidelity, while grotesque, probably saves MMA’s decline.

Phil: Ovince Saint-Preux was one of the UFC’s prospects-who-never-made-it, getting pushed down the totem pole every time by more skilled and focused fighters. However, given the overwhelming shallowness of light heavyweight, he’s been a staple of the Top 10, and was fortuitously in just the right place at the right time (i.e. on one of his upswings) when Dan Cormier dropped out and Jon Jones needed an opponent.

David: I’ve been pretty happy with OSP. At the time of the signing, he was merely a depth move. But just like in team sports, sometimes injuries allow depth players to become more than just complimentary pieces to an efficient lineup. OSP is that guy.

What are the stakes?

Phil: Interim light heavyweight championship!!! But seriously, though. Everyone knows Bones is the best 205er and the greatest fighter on the planet. If OSP wins this it’s an upset for the ages.

David: The interim belt humors me. The UFC has managed to turn a empty gold cup holder into something with even less merit than it began with.

Where do they want it?

Phil: Bones works in two approximate layers. The outside where he kicks opponents in the knee, and the inside where he forces his opponents to carry his weight while opening them up with dragging elbows and knees from the collar ties. The interesting thing is that he’s much better at the inner layer than the …

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