UFC Fight Night 104 results: Oezdemir takes split-decision over Saint Preux

Here is how the UFC Fight Night 104 welterweight fight between Ovince Saint Preux and Volkan Oezdemir played out.

Former interim light heavyweight title challenger Ovince Saint Preux (19-9) looked to get back in the win column against UFC newcomer Volkan Oezdemir (12-1) on the main card of UFC Fight Night 104.

Originally, Saint Preux was set to face No. 14-ranked Jan Blachowicz. However, Blachowicz suffered an injury and pulled out of the fight late last month. The UFC then secured Oezdemir to step in as a short-notice replacement.

It has been nearly a year since Saint Preux’s last victory. The 33-year-old fighter has since lost his last two fights. At UFC 197, he dropped a decision in a short-notice fight against former champion Jon Jones for the interim title when champion Daniel Cormier had to withdraw. “OSP” returned at UFC 204, where he suffered a brutal knockout at the hands of Jimi Manuwa.

Oezdemir is a native of Switzerland with 10 first-round victories, nine coming by knockout. He fought twice for Bellator, scoring a first-round TKO over Josh Lanier at Bellator 105 in 2013 before being submitted by Kelly Anundson at Bellator 115 in 2014. Since then, the 27-year-old has only fought two more times, earning wins in international promotions.

Round One:

They touched gloves and met in the center. Oezdemir comes out aggressive with a several body kicks. OSP circled and found his back against the fence quickly with Oezdemir pressing against him. OSP wizzers and got out of the clinch. OSP seemed content with just one or two shots, not looking to lose the center of the cage. Oezdemir flurried in, but OSP caught him with a left hand and backed off. OSP still throwing one or two strikes at a time, a cross or jab with a front kick. Oezdemir pushed in again to clinch against the fence, but not much action before OSP disengaged. Oezdemir pressed forward and both traded with jab-cross combos. Oezdemir’s style was clearly rush in with strikes and get out if he didn’t get the clinch. Oezdemir had been targeting  OSP’s legs with kicks throughout the round. Oezdemir landed several punches as he chased OSP along the cage.

FanSided scores the round: 10-9 Oezdemir.

Round Two:

They came out and OSP landed early with a cross and a kick. Oezdemir fired back and OSP locked him up and tripped him to the mat. Oezdemir got back up and separated fairly quickly. Back and forth action with just one or two-punch combos. OSP flurried landed several uppercuts before landing several strikes in a flurry. Oezdemir seems to be tired, but he kept pushing forward. The body kick was there a couple times for OSP. Back in the center after moving back and forth across the cage, the two returned to trading small combinations that slightly landed before the horn.

FanSided scores the round: 10-9 Ovince Saint Preux.

Round Three:

OSP stepped out immediately pumping the jab. Oezdemir tried to flurry in, but OSP turned him around and went for the the double leg against the fence. He let it go and they met back in the center. OSP landed a couple strikes before Oezdemir tried to rush in, but he just didn’t have the energy. OSP started to get his rhythm down as he was the fresher fighter, landing pawing jabs followed by crosses. Oezdemir was still connecting here and there while pushing OSP backwards, but they didn’t have the pop on them like earlier in the fight. OSP connected with a stiff right. OSP clearly became the aggressor lage in the fight. Stiff body shot by OSP followed by a a hard jab. OSP pushed in against the fence, but Oezdemir landed a knee. They backed up shortly before OSP landed two hard punches. Oezdemir backed up. OSP turned up the volume, mixing his punches to the body and head with Oezdemir’s back against the fence again. Oezdemir circled out, started to move forward, but the horn sounded and that’s the fight.

FanSided scores the round: 10-9 Ovince Saint Preux.

Official Decision: Volkan Oezdemir defeats Ovince Saint Preux  via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

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