UFC Jacksonville live blog: Ovince Saint Preux vs. Ben Rothwell

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This is the UFC Jacksonville live blog for Ovince Saint Preux vs. Ben Rothwell, the heavyweight co-headliner for Wednesday’s fight card at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla.

Heavyweight Rothwell returns after a TKO over Stefan Struve that snapped a three-fight losing skid. Saint Preux, a career light heavyweight, steps up one division after pulling off another signature Von Flue choke this past September against Michal Oleksiejczuk.

Check out the UFC Jacksonville live blog below.

Round 1: Dan Miragliotta is the third man in the cage for the co-main event. Rothwell comes out and takes the center of the cage, and OSP stays on the outside, landing a few body kicks. Rothwell steps in and lands a couple of good right hands. OSP keeps getting back all the way into the fence and Rothwell again lands a pair of right hands. Saint Preux does not look outmatched at all in size in there but he does seem a bit cautious in his first heavyweight fight. More kicks from OSP but he’s not digging in with them. Saint Preux fakes a body kick and then goes high but Rothwell catches the kick and forces OSP down. OSP is now in turtle against the cage and Rothwell grabs a front choke and is looking to slip in a ten-finger guillotine but OSP is defending well, carrying Rothwell’s weight. OSP is fighting the hand and not allowing Rothwell to cinch in his chock so Rothwell lands a few chopping punches until OSP can get up. Short time left in the round and nothing of substance occurs before the horn sounds.

MMAFighting scores the round 10-9 Rothwell.

Round 2:

Round 3: