Houston Alexander facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Houston Alexander |
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Houston Alexander in 2007
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| Born | March 22, 1972 East St. Louis, Illinois, United States |
| Other names | We Have A Problem |
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) |
| Weight | 203 lb (92 kg; 14 st 7 lb) |
| Division | Heavyweight Light Heavyweight Middleweight |
| Reach | 72 in (183 cm) |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Fighting out of | Omaha, Nebraska, United States |
| Team | Grudge Training Center Finney's HIT Squad |
| Years active | 2001–2017 (MMA) 2021–present (Bare-knuckle boxing) |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 36 |
| Wins | 17 |
| By knockout | 14 |
| By decision | 3 |
| Losses | 16 |
| By knockout | 10 |
| By submission | 2 |
| By decision | 4 |
| Draws | 1 |
| No contests | 2 |
Houston Alexander (born March 22, 1972) is an American former professional mixed martial artist. He competed from 2001 to 2017. He also fought in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and Bellator MMA. Since 2021, he has been competing in bare-knuckle boxing. He is currently ranked among the top bare-knuckle boxers.
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Early Life and Sports
Alexander was born in East St. Louis, Illinois. He lived there for his first eight years. Growing up, he learned to defend himself. Later, he moved to Omaha, Nebraska.
He was very athletic as a kid. He went to Omaha North High School. There, he played football and wrestled. He was good at both sports. He also started boxing when he was a teenager.
Alexander was accepted to the Savannah College of Art & Design. But he chose to stay in Omaha for his daughter. Before becoming a fighter, he worked at an asphalt company.
Mixed Martial Arts Journey
Fighting in the UFC
Houston Alexander joined the UFC at UFC 71 on May 26, 2007. His first fight was against Keith Jardine. Alexander won by knockout in just 49 seconds. This was a big surprise to many.
After this win, Alexander trained full-time. He worked out three times a day, seven days a week. He then signed a new contract with the UFC.
At UFC 75, Alexander defeated Alessio Sakara from Italy. Alexander was good at fighting up close. He used short, powerful punches. He said his strength came from lifting weights.
At UFC 78, Alexander fought Thiago Silva. Silva was undefeated at the time. Silva won the fight in the first round. He got on top of Alexander and landed punches until the referee stopped the fight.
On April 2, 2008, Alexander fought James Irvin. This fight was at UFC Fight Night: Kenny Florian vs Joe Lauzon. Irvin knocked Alexander out in just eight seconds. This was one of the fastest knockouts in UFC history. Alexander felt the fight was stopped too soon.
Alexander then fought Eric "Red" Schafer in his hometown of Omaha. Alexander lost this fight in the first round. Schafer won with an arm triangle submission.
Alexander was supposed to fight Andre Gusmão at UFC 98. But he had to pull out because of a broken hand.
He later fought Sherman Pendergarst outside the UFC. Alexander won that fight. He used leg kicks and punches to get a TKO victory.
Alexander returned to the UFC to fight Kimbo Slice. This fight was at The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights Finale. Alexander lost by a unanimous decision. Many thought the fight would end quickly. After this loss, Alexander left the UFC.
Fighting in Other Leagues
After leaving the UFC, Alexander fought Joey Beltran. Beltran won by knockout in the second round.
Alexander then faced Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou at Shark Fights 13: Jardine vs. Prangley. After a tough first round, Alexander came back strong. He won in the second round by TKO. This fight won "Fight of the Night" and "Knockout of the Night" awards.
He was set for a rematch with James Irvin. But the fight was canceled due to injuries and a failed drug test.
Alexander fought Razak Al-Hassan at MMA Fight Pit: Genesis. He won by TKO when the doctor stopped the fight due to a cut.
He later faced Steve Bosse. Bosse knocked him out with an elbow in the second round.
Alexander also fought Gilbert Yvel. Yvel won with a single punch knockout in the first round.
On September 15, 2012, Alexander fought Jan Błachowicz in Poland. Błachowicz controlled the fight on the ground. Alexander lost by a unanimous decision.
Alexander won two fights in the Victory Fighting Championship. He defeated Dennis Reed and then Chuck Grigsby. His win over Grigsby earned him the VFC Light Heavyweight Championship.
Fighting in Bellator MMA
Alexander joined Bellator MMA. He fought Vladimir Matyushenko at Bellator 99. Alexander lost this fight by unanimous decision.
At Bellator 117, Alexander fought Matt Uhde. He won by TKO after the doctor stopped the fight.
Alexander was supposed to fight James Thompson. But Thompson got injured. So Alexander fought Virgil Zwicker instead. The fight ended in a draw. Alexander lost a point for headbutting.
They had a rematch at Bellator 132. Zwicker won that fight by a split decision.
Achievements and Awards
Houston Alexander has earned several awards during his fighting career:
- Shark Fights
- Fight of the Night (One time)
- Knockout of the Night (One time)
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- Knockout of the Night (One time)
- UFC.com Awards
- 2007: Ranked #3 Knockout of the Year (vs. Keith Jardine)
- 2007: Ranked #5 Upset of the Year (vs. Keith Jardine)
- 2007: Ranked #10 Knockout of the Year (vs. Alessio Sakara)
- Victory Fighting Championship
- VFC Light Heavyweight Championship (One time)
Bare-Knuckle Boxing
Houston Alexander now competes in bare-knuckle boxing. This is a sport where fighters punch without gloves. He has a perfect record of 4 wins and 0 losses. He is currently ranked among the top bare-knuckle boxers.
Television Appearances
Alexander appeared on the Fox Sports Network show "Sport Science" in 2009. This show looks at the science behind sports.
Music Career
Houston Alexander is also known as "Scrib," "Cone-Dome," or "FAS/ONE" in the music world. He has been a big part of Omaha's underground hip hop scene for a long time. In the 1980s, he led a group called the Scribble Crew. They were known for their amazing graffiti art in North Omaha. Their art can still be seen today.
His group, Midwest Alliance, was active through the 1990s. They were very important to the Omaha music scene.
Today, Alexander is a DJ on KOPW 106.9. This is a local radio station in Omaha. He hosts a show that plays independent hip hop music. He also runs a program for elementary school students. It's called the "Culture Shock School Tour." It teaches kids about hip hop culture.
Personal Life
In 2000, Houston Alexander made a very special gift. He donated one of his kidneys to his oldest daughter.
See also
- List of Bellator MMA alumni
- List of male mixed martial artists
- Hip hop in Omaha
