UFC 98 Curse Strikes Houston Alexander

by Michael Rome on May 4, 2009 3:16 AM EDT in News Comment 40 comments

Houston Alexander broke his hand, and has to pull out of his fight at UFC 98:

Houston Alexander broke his hand. A new light heavyweight opponent for Andre Gusmao at UFC 98 to be announced quickly.

Houston is the latest in a long line of fighters that have been forced out of UFC 98 due to injury. First Frank Mir pulled out, forcing a change of the main event. Josh Koscheck, James Irvin, and Yushin Okami all pulled out of their fights, and were replaced by others in their division.

This may be a stroke of luck for Houston, who was probably on his way to being submitted by Gusmao. It remains a mystery why they keep putting him against black belts.

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I know I shouldn't...

but I dig Houston. His ground game SUUUUUCKS obviously but he is a really good guy (I’ve heard so many good things about him interacting with fans) and he has possibly the best pound for pound power in the UFC. I know people disagree but his power shots are incredible. Another loss and he absolutely should be gone but I hope he can get it together and at least learn how to stay the hell off his back.

Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.

http://CurseOfRonKarkovice.blogspot.com/

by Brent Brookhouse on May 3, 2009 9:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I like him a lot too, extraordinary power and I kind of wish they’d just put him against other B-level 205 strikers instead of having him fight guys like Schafer.

by Michael Rome on May 3, 2009 9:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I guess I can admit that I kind of like Houston also. It pains me to see him on the ground. As tough as he is standing, he just looks all kinds of lost on his back. I just wish he could develop some sick takedown defense, because he’s exciting as hell to watch when he’s throwing power shots.

by Cannon Jacques on May 3, 2009 10:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, I’ve always liked the guy. I think they have really used him wrong since the Irvin KO. The Thiago Silva fight showed that Houston has absolutely nothing to offer while on his back. The Irvin fight showed nothing at all because even guy’s with good chins are susceptible to a flash KO every now and then. At that point, it was clear that he should be matched up with guy’s with limited ground skills in order to set up an exciting display of striking. Instead, they matched him up with Eric Schafer and now Gusmao. This injury is the best thing that could’ve happened to him.

Houston is never going to be a contender in the UFC. At the same time, he’s one of those rare fighters who should be kept around (and put on TV) in fights against low-level talent and, only after stringing together a few wins, matched up with a contender. Everyone likes knockouts and Houston is able to deliver them in devastating fashion. A guy like Alessio Sakara was perfect for him. Brian Stann would be a good choice for a future opponent, as would Ivan Serati or Sokodjou, if they hadn’t cut him. The smartest choice would be to put him up against Octagon newbies for a few fights and then use him to help elevate someone who could potentially turn into a star, like Steve Cantwell or Jason Brilz.

by dropkick101 on May 3, 2009 11:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Houston is definitely one of my guilty pleasures.

I like watching him fight too. But he’s gotta learn to at least defend off his back. I don’t expect him to pull a triangle from his back, but I would like to see him learn a couple sweeps or something to help him get back to his feet. I don’t know what his trainers are doing, but his career is being killed quickly.

I love me some Sexyama!

by pud333 on May 4, 2009 12:09 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I really like him too i just wish he would really work on his ground defense,only to help him stay on his feet

by RealIrish on May 3, 2009 10:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Its official, UFC 98 is cursed.

Keep firing Assholes!
Akiyama is the Japanese word for Sexify.

by Ubernoober on May 3, 2009 10:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Damn

I had 400 on Gusmao @ mmaplayground….

by Fedorable on May 3, 2009 10:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Balla.

by Simco on May 4, 2009 4:43 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Its UFC 85 all over again im just glad i dont have tickets for this one,wonder how many more fighters will drop out

by RealIrish on May 3, 2009 10:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

he needs to fight brian stann.

by woooburn on May 3, 2009 10:30 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

I was just about to say that.

by SamCupitt on May 3, 2009 10:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That would be a good fight.

I love me some Sexyama!

by pud333 on May 4, 2009 12:10 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Jason Brilz.

http://www.fourouncestofreedom.com

by Beer Monster on May 3, 2009 10:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Do you work for Jason Brilz?

by subo on May 4, 2009 12:39 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just figured no one was reading the other thread anymore, so I’d say it over here. And they’re both from Nebraska, so it’d make sense. Sort of. Brilz might not fight during firefighting season though.

http://www.fourouncestofreedom.com

by Beer Monster on May 4, 2009 12:55 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah. That topic got jacked pretty hardcore.

by subo on May 4, 2009 1:27 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was thinking that Alexander would beat Gusmao. Gusmao’s stand up isn’t the best and his takedowns are pretty weak sauce. Granted if he gets on top of Alexander he’d probably sub him, but then again, who wouldn’t?

I think Alexander would have smoked him with his power.

by SamCupitt on May 3, 2009 10:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

yup, I had Alexander for the upset

he’s always got a punchers chance and he’s due.

"It's like a flying knuckle sandwich." --Rogan
"And many men have eaten it." -- Goldy

by thetakeover on May 3, 2009 10:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Another cursed card

The undercard has been devestated by injuries. I guess it’s some kind of tribute to how stacked this card was that it’s still a pretty damn good card (better than 99, though barely now). There’s quite a few “Who vs. Who?” fights on this card.

"It's like a flying knuckle sandwich." --Rogan
"And many men have eaten it." -- Goldy

by thetakeover on May 3, 2009 10:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Curse

What could be next? Who else is going to get hit with the injury bug? Well I wasn’t going to get the PPV but since it’s cursed I don’t feel so bad.

Nicely put Mr. Rome, better then my post about this 2 hours ago. ;-)

by UFCblogger on May 3, 2009 10:57 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Interesting new matchup

Who do you guys have in Drew McFedries Vs. Xavier Foupa-Pokam? I’m thinking professor X even though he’s the guy moving up in broadcast position to fill Irvin’s big punching shoes.

"It's like a flying knuckle sandwich." --Rogan
"And many men have eaten it." -- Goldy

by thetakeover on May 3, 2009 10:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I got XFP there. Reach advantage, slick muay thai, and a good chin.

http://www.fourouncestofreedom.com

by Beer Monster on May 3, 2009 11:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ditto.

"I see him beating Anderson Silva. I see him picking him apart. Him at a 131 years old...(trails off)." - Tito on Belfort at Affliction:DOR

by Rundownloser on May 3, 2009 11:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm PROBABLY on board with that...

McFedries was extremely nice when I met him a year or so back and he has the better one shot KO power in the fight. But XFP is the better all around striker. Unless Drew gets to him early I just don’t see him getting the win.

Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.

http://CurseOfRonKarkovice.blogspot.com/

by Brent Brookhouse on May 3, 2009 11:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, it’ll be a quick one I think. Professor X could sub him if it goes to the ground as well. His jiu jitsu has improved to the point where he can submit McFedries level opponents.

by SamCupitt on May 4, 2009 12:58 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Will Brock Larson get the call?

If they’re looking to bump up a pre-card guy, he’s next in line. Not sure if it would favor him though, since he’s been preparing to face a relative unknown with nowhere near the jits of Gusmao.

"It's like a flying knuckle sandwich." --Rogan
"And many men have eaten it." -- Goldy

by thetakeover on May 3, 2009 11:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

couple weight classes too low i think

by woooburn on May 3, 2009 11:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah…

by SamCupitt on May 4, 2009 12:59 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The other thing...

that should get pointed out is that a broken hand for a power puncher can equal serious trouble down the road. Hand breaks can stick with you and pop up mid fight.

Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.

http://CurseOfRonKarkovice.blogspot.com/

by Brent Brookhouse on May 3, 2009 11:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Jens Pulver Rec’s this.

http://www.fourouncestofreedom.com

by Beer Monster on May 3, 2009 11:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

So does Fedor

Keep firing Assholes!
Akiyama is the Japanese word for Sexify.

by Ubernoober on May 3, 2009 11:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

as far as replacements go...

… i wouldn’t mind seeing boetsch get another shot, since he apparently got cut recently.

by woooburn on May 4, 2009 12:01 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The cut The Barbarian! :O

Keep firing Assholes!
Akiyama is the Japanese word for Sexify.

by Ubernoober on May 4, 2009 12:06 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

poster rabrown mentions it here...

http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2009/4/30/859972/vinny-magalhaes-cut-from-the-ufc

… along with a bunch of other somewhat surprising names. not sure of the validity, but i wouldn’t surprise me.

by woooburn on May 4, 2009 12:21 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That sucks. My faith in humanity has been shattered.

Keep firing Assholes!
Akiyama is the Japanese word for Sexify.

by Ubernoober on May 4, 2009 12:26 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I certainly don’t have any contacts or sources but their profiles have all been removed from the UFC site.

As I posted in that thread today, it looks like MacDonald, Chonan, Loiseau and Bielkheden were also let go after UFC 97.

by rabrown on May 4, 2009 3:56 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The sweet thing about Houston fights are you know you are either getting either a KO or a SUB. I actually was thinking the other day when I read the thing where John Hackleman said that the UFC had to give Chuck his last fight on his contract that him and Houston could possibly be a fun fight and it would probably send Chuck out on top.

by The Legend on May 4, 2009 1:02 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs