Ovince Saint Preux vs. Shamil Gamzatov added to UFC Lincoln
Russian prospect Shamil Gamzatov will face a stiff test in just his second UFC fight.
Gamzatov (14-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) will take on Ovince Saint Preux (24-13 MMA, 12-8 UFC) at UFC Lincoln in a light heavyweight bout. A person with knowledge of the situation confirmed the booking to MMA Junkie after an initial report from Russian media outlet Vestnik MMA.
The event, likely to be UFC on ESPN+ 30, takes place April 25 at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Neb.
Gamzatov picked up a split decision win over Klidson Abreu in his promotional debut at UFC on ESPN+ 21 in his return to 205 pounds. Undefeated in his professional MMA career, Gamzatov has competed under both the ACB and PFL banner.
Former UFC light heavyweight title challenger Saint Preux avoided a three-fight losing skid with a submission win over Michal Oleksiejczuk last September at UFC on ESPN+ 18, scoring his fourth career Von Flue choke.
Saint Preux recently accepted a three-month suspension from the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency for testing positive for banned substances in an out-of-competition drug test conducted Nov. 1. After an investigation, USADA concluded that Saint Preux’s failed drug test was due to contaminated supplements.
USADA also determined that Saint Preux’s exposure to these substances began Oct. 25, meaning Saint Preux’s suspension ended Jan. 25, which made him eligible to compete at the date USADA announced his suspension on Jan. 31.
With the addition, the current UFC Lincoln lineup includes:
- Anthony Smith vs. Glover Teixeira
- Evan Dunham vs. Michael Johnson
- Anthony Rocco Martin vs. David Zawada
- Zak Cummings vs. Andrew Sanchez
- Cynthia Calvillo vs. Antonina Shevchenko
- Ariane Carnelossi vs. Mackenzie Dern
- Christos Giagos vs. Alan Patrick
- Shamil Gamzatov vs. Ovince Saint Preux
