Ovince Saint Preux vs. Ryan Spann set for UFC Vegas 97

Longtime UFC veterans Ovince Saint Preux and Ryan Spann are set to collide on Sept. 7 in a three-round light heavyweight bout at UFC Vegas 97.

MMA Fighting’s Damon Martin confirmed the news on Monday following an initial report by MMA Junkie.

Saint Preux (27-17) is a one-time challenger for the UFC interim light heavyweight belt. The 41-year-old veteran makes his way back down to the 205-pound division following a four-fight run at heavyweight that saw him win split decisions over Kennedy Nzechukwu and Mauricio Rua but suffer knockout losses to Philipe Lins and Tanner Boser.

A UFC fighter since 2013, Saint Preux has won 15 of his 27 octagon appearances and holds notable wins over Alonzo Menifield, Corey Anderson, and Nikita Krylov.

Spann (21-10) looks to right his ship after suffering three consecutive defeats at the hands of Krylov, Anthony Smith, and Bogdan Guskov. Since joining the UFC as a signee off Contender Series, Spann, 32, has won seven of his 12 promotional appearances, finishing the likes of Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, Dominick Reyes, and Ion Cutelaba in the first round.

UFC Vegas 97 takes place at the UFC APEX in Las Vegas. A welterweight bout between contenders Gilbert Burns and Sean Brady is set to serve as the main event.