From Strikeforce to XFC and Shark Fights, Ovince Saint Preux has seen it all. The UFC light heavyweight is known for his unique fighting style and his 7 Performance of the Night bonuses speak volumes about his skills inside the Octagon. Since making his professional debut in 2008, OSP has faced off against some of the biggest names in the MMA sphere like Jon Jones, Glover Teixeira, Mauricio Rua, and Jamahal Hill amongst many others.

But many fans have been curious to know, what’s the story behind the man who has pulled off more Von Flue chokes than anyone in the UFC? To answer that, let’s dive in and explore more about his ethnicity, nationality, and how the former college football star left the gridiron in pursuit of combat sports glory!

Where is Ovince Saint Preux from? Which flag does he carry?

Ovince Saint Preux was born on April 8, 1983, in Immokalee, Florida. His parents, Markinise and Mercilia, both Haitian immigrants, moved the family to the United States, seeking a safer life and better opportunities for their children. Life wasn’t easy, but the values instilled in him were undeniable: family, hard work, and pride in his roots.

In a previous interview with Bleacher Report, OSP had shared, “I was actually born in Miami, Fla., but both of my parents were born in Haiti … My dad came here during the mid-70’s and my mom came here in either 1980 or ’81.”

What makes Saint Preux’s story even more compelling is how deeply connected he remains to his Haitian heritage. He further stated, “To this day, I only speak Haitian Creole at home. My first language—even though I was born in the States—was Haitian Creole. My mom speaks English, but she barely speaks English.”

This connection is evident during his walks to the Octagon. He proudly carries the Haitian flag into the cage, despite some critics. “Some people think I’m ungrateful or un-American because I carry the Haitian flag”, he once shared, but he sees it differently. The flag is his message of hope. To the children in Haiti living in desperate conditions, it’s a symbol that anything is possible. OSP fights not just for victory, but for those still fighting for survival.

Draped in the Haitian flag, the UFC star’s journey from a Haitian-American upbringing in Miami to the heights of mixed martial arts is as inspiring as it is unique. But Saint Preux’s path to MMA greatness didn’t begin with gloves and Octagons!

More about Ovince Saint Preux’s early life

Ovince Saint Preux first made a name for himself as a stand-out athlete on the football field. Excelling at football, track, and wrestling in high school, OSP eventually earned a spot on the University of Tennessee’s ‘Tennessee Volunteers’ football team. He played for the team from 2001 to 2004. But why didn’t he make the jump to the NFL? In his talk with Bleacher Report, he shared, “A lot of people ask me why I quit on the NFL, but I say, “I didn’t quit on the NFL—the NFL quit on me.”

Football may have closed its doors, but another door opened—one that would lead him to the world of mixed martial arts. After graduating from college in 2004 with a degree in sociology, he found himself engrossed in the world of martial arts as he began to train in kickboxing and submission grappling when he was 21.

Going undefeated as an amateur with a 5-0 record, he made his professional debut in 2008 at VFC 1 but sadly, lost the decision on the night. Undeterred by another subsequent loss at Shark Fights 2, his persistence paid off with a 3-fight win streak. And in 2010, Strikeforce signed OSP to a multi-fight deal, marking the beginning of his journey into the spotlight.

Now, Ovince Saint Preux is gearing up to take on Ryan Spann at UFC 307. Coming off a win over Kennedy Nzechukwu in his last fight at UFC Vegas 88, the veteran is determined to keep his momentum going against ‘Superman’. With a career built on overcoming obstacles, both inside and outside the cage, it’s clear that Ovince Saint Preux will keep fighting with the same heart and pride that have carried him this far!