The UFC is returning to New Jersey in April with an already stacked UFC 159 card. Well now it’s getting more stacked with the announcement of Ovince St. Preux (12-5 MMA) vs. Gian Villante (10-3 MMA) in their UFC debut.

St. Preux went 6-1 in Strikeforce and his only loss came against former 205-pound champion Gegard Mousasi. Before his loss to Mousasi, St. Preux went on an eight-fight win streak with five of those victories coming by stoppages. St. Preux got back in the win column with a third round KO of T.J. Cook in San Diego.

Villante will get to fight in his home area for the first time in two years when he faces St. Preux at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. at UFC 159. The New Yorker, a former heavyweight champion for the New Jersey-based Ring of Combat promotion. Villante comes to the UFC on a three-fight win streak in Strikeforce, and has only lost to Lorenz Larkin and Chad Griggs while fighting under the Strikeforce banner.

With all the great fight’s already announced for UFC 159, and the current “TUF” coaches headlining the card, this will be great exposure for the former Strikeforce fighters. With a big win in their debut with the UFC one of these fighters could take huge steps up the ladder in their division.

comments