Breaking: UFC 282 opponent for Ovince Saint Preux pulls out due to visa issues

Ovince Saint Preux (left) and Antonio Trocoli (right) [Images via Getty and @atrocolioficial on Instagram]
Ovince Saint Preux (left) and Antonio Trocoli (right) [Images via Getty and @atrocolioficial on Instagram]

Ovince Saint Preux has lost yet another opponent for UFC 282. For the third time, the former light heavyweight title challenger has had an opponent drop out of UFC 282 as Anthony Trocoli withdrew from the fight due to visa issues.

Ovince Saint Preux holds a professional record of 26-16, including a 14-11 record in the UFC. He has been with the promotion for nearly a decade. Saint Preux has struggled lately, as he is just 4-6 in his last ten fights.

Saint Preux notably faced Jon Jones for the interim light heavyweight title in 2016, however, he lost the fight by unanimous decision. He has been unable to work his way back into the light heavyweight title picture since losing to Jones.

'OSP' is looking to build momentum after defeating former light heavyweight champion Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua via split decision at UFC 274 earlier this year. The UFC will now look to find a fourth opponent for Saint Preux, who is determined to fight on the card.


Ovince Saint Preux two previous opponents for UFC 282 pulled out for undisclosed reasons

Antonio Trocoli, who was set to make his UFC debut at UFC 282, becomes the third opponent of Ovince Saint Preux to withdraw from the card. The unranked light heavyweight was originally slated to face former light heavyweight title challenger Alexander Gustafsson.

Gustafsson has fought for the title three times, most notably at UFC 165, where his fight against Jon Jones was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame Fight Wing. He was unable to emerge victorious in any of his title fights, however, and has not found much success in recent years. Gustafsson has lost his last four fights and fallen out of the light heavyweight rankings altogether.

The former light heavyweight title challenger was looking to get back in the win column before being forced to withdraw for undisclosed reasons. He was ultimately replaced by Philipe Lins, who has had just three fights with the promotion.

Lins, who is 1-2 in the UFC and 15-5 overall, was also forced to withdraw for undisclosed reasons. With Trocoli becoming his third opponent to withdraw, it remains to be seen if Ovince Saint Preux will be able to find an opponent to face at UFC 282.

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Edited by C. Naik