NAME: Houston Alexander
NICKNAME: The Assassin
WEIGHT CLASS: Heavyweight
AGE / Date of Birth: 35 / 3/22/72
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6.0′ / 205
REACH: 28″
BIRTHPLACE: East St. Louis
FIGHTING OUT OF: Omaha, Nebraska
STYLE: Wrestling, Muay Thai
TRAINER: Mick Doyle, Curly Alexander
STRENGTHS: Punching power, athleticism, Overall strength
PROFESSIONAL MMA RECORD: 8-1

DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY OF TRAINING: I lift weights early in the morning. During the lunch hours I meet with Coach Alexander and work wrestling technique, and extreme old school conditioning. The afternoons are spent with Mick Doyle at the Muay Thai gym working submissions, stand up technique, pad rounds, conditioning and sparring.

Q&A

Thoughts on opponent, Keith Jardine?
He is a solid determined fighter and I am looking forward to the fight.

When and why did you start training for fighting?
I started because I love to fight and love competition, but I felt that the ring and Octagon would be a better test for my skill. The gym keeps me disciplined and shows my kids that there is a time and a place to fight, and why it is important to stay disciplined, healthy and focused

What ranks and titles have you held?
2004 Gladiator Championship Light heavyweight division champion.

Do you have any heroes?
My mother and Grandmother because of the values and code of conduct that they instilled in me. They taught me that discipline would help me to never give up until I got what I wanted.

What is your favorite technique?
I like to lift people off their feet and slam them into the ground and strike away!

What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC?
It is the best level that I can test myself at. I want to bring back the excitement to the Octagon of guys who are just raw and tough and hungry to win.

Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn?
No

What was your job before you started fighting?
Radio Broadcasting and community activist.

Houston Alexander, a.k.a. Scrib 1972 has acted as somewhat of an ambassador for Omaha hip-hop, seeking to project the positive nature and true essence of the culture. Alexander has been practicing art since the age of 13. He was first exposed to graffiti art in 1985 after watching the film “Beat Street.” He was immediately interested in the graffiti he saw in the film. Alexander became one of the best graffiti artists in town, honing his skills on abandoned buildings and trains. Soon afterwards, he helped form the Scribble Cru with several classmates. The Scribble Cru was responsible for many of the most-recognized murals in North Omaha, including ones for Leola’s and Mad Dads.

During this time, he began working with youth for the first time, giving positive speeches about staying in school and away from drugs and gangs. This passion to work with kids continues today, as he teaches kids B-boying in a class called the “School of Moves” at Butler-Gast YMCA, and visits schools with the “Culture Shock School Tour,” which he developed, and teaches kids about the positive nature of hip-hop.

Alexander also made a name for himself with his dancing skills. He became hooked on B-boying after watching “Flashdance.” He then formed the Alliance All-Stars, a dance group that performed on street corners in the Old Market and around the city. The Alliance All-Stars also developed classes to teach the fundamentals of hip-hop dancing. The group opened for a number of acts on their stops in Omaha, including Salt-N-Pepa and Tone Loc. Throughout the years, Alexander has been involved in many aspects of the Omaha hip-hop scene. Alexander continues to contribute to the local hip-hop scene. He co-created “Fresh Fest,” in 2000, an annual hip-hop competition and showcase.These days on Sunday nights, listeners tuning into his show on Omaha’s Power 106.9 know him as Strong Arm.

For the past seven years he’s participated in mix martial arts having over 200 fights. Recently he joined the Ultimate Fighting Championship which is the largest mix martial arts organization in the world. After winning his first fight with the UFC Houston is currently ranked one of the top fighters in his weight class in the world. As a headliner in the UFC he fights a few times a year in the Octagon as “The Assassin.” It’s a name he earned fighting his way through the bush leagues of mixed martial arts on his way to the big show.Houston Alexander, a teacher, a artist, a fighter, and most importantly a proud single parent raising six children on his own.