Ovince Saint Preux vs. Ben Rothwell targeted for UFC event on May 13th.

Photo Credit: UFC & Brad Penner - USA TODAY Sports

A heavyweight pairing between division debutante, Ovince Saint Preux, and 'Big' Ben Rothwell is targeted to feature at a UFC event on May 13th. in Jacksonville, Florida.

OSP was originally slated to meet with Ion Cuțelaba at the since cancelled UFC Fight Night Nebraska card on April 25th. - and will now make his heavyweight debut instead. The Floridian last featured in the Octagon at UFC Fight Night Copenhagen in September, finishing Michał Oleksiejczuk via a Von Flue choke. Rothwell, on the other hand, took a controversial second-round knockout over Stefan Struve in his last outing. The 38-year-old was set to meet Gian Villante on the postponed UFC 249 card on April 18th. News of the targeted bout was initially reported by ESPN writer, Ariel Helwani.

As mentioned earlier, Saint Preux lodged a Von Flue finish over Oleksiejczuk - the incredible fourth time he's done such in his lengthy career. The 37-year-old rose to prominence back in 2016, challenging Jon Jones for the interim light heavyweight crown, following a unanimous decision triumph over Rafael Feijão. The Knoxville based all-rounder has managed notable triumphs over the likes of Tyson Pedro, Yushin Okami, Patrick Cummins, Shogun Rua, Nikita Krylov, and a memorable high-kick finish of Corey Anderson. 

Wisconsin born striker, Rothwell, made a return to the Octagon last March - for the first time since his decision loss to former champion, Junior dos Santos in 2016. Rothwell would go on to lose two decisions to Blagoy Ivanov, and Andrei Arlovski, before returning to the win column with the previously noted stoppage of Struve. The Roufusport trainee has lodged an eye-catching twenty-eight career knockouts from his thirty-seven career wins. Rothwell has famously finished the likes of Alistair Overeem, Brendan Schaub, Brandon Vera, Matt Mitrione, Josh Barnett, and Dan Bobish.

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