Ovince Saint Preux and Mauricio Rua are running it back.
Nearly eight years after their first meeting, “OSP” and “Shogun” will meet May 7 at UFC 274 for their second time fighting inside the promotion’s cage. MMA Junkie confirmed the signing of the bout. AG Fight was first to report the news.
The two fighters first fought at UFC Fight Night 56 in November 2014. The fight served as the card’s headliner and took place in Rua’s home country of Brazil. Saint Preux spoiled the party when he flattened Rua and finished the fight with strikes just 34 seconds into the bout.
They were expected to rematch in Japan in 2017, but Rua suffered a knee injury and withdrew from the bout.
At UFC 274, Saint Preux looks to snap a two-fight skid. In recent years, he’s bounced between light heavyweight and heavyweight with mixed results. Over the span of his past 12 fights, Saint Preux has gone 6-6. Wins in that stretch include Corey Anderson, Tyson Pedro and Alonzo Menifield.
Rua (27-12-1 MMA, 11-10-1 UFC) has not competed since a November 2020 loss to Paul Craig. After the fight, UFC president Dana White voiced uncertainty about Rua’s future, despite it being his first loss in four outings. Since the loss to Saint Preux in 2014, Rua has gone 5-2-1.
With the addition, the UFC 274 lineup includes:
- Champion Glover Teixeira vs. Jiri Prochazka
- Champion Charles Oliveira def. Justin Gaethje
- Macy Chiasson vs. Norma Dumont
- Ariane Carnelossi vs. Lupita Godinez
- Blagoy Ivanov vs. Marcos Rogerio de Lima
- Kleydson Rodrigues vs. C.J. Vergara
- Mauricio Rua vs. Ovince Saint Preux
