After it was announced that Ovince Saint Preux would be stepping in on short notice to fight Jon Jones for the interim UFC light heavyweight championship in the main event of UFC 197, Daniel Cormier offered to train Saint Preux to beat the pound for pound king.

Saint Preux explained to BloodyElbow why he decided to turn down the champ’s offer to train:

“Well, actually I was listening to the show when he actually said that,” OSP said, “because he actually… I know Daniel, we talk. Every time I see him we get to talking and stuff. And my manager, they text from time to time… But, it’s just one of them situations. Like I said, from day one I’ve been here with my trainers and stuff. It’s one of them things that we talked about, I’ve been with my camp from day one and I appreciate the invitation and everything, all the hospitality. Even going back to the Strikeforce days with Bob Cook. Definitely appreciate the invitation, but I think with everything we’ve got going on over here… My coach came up with a solid game plan and I think we definitely gonna be okay.”

When Saint Preux and Jones step in the Octagon to fight at UFC 197 on April 23rd, who do you see emerging as the interim light heavyweight champion?