Quote:
UFC to cut Houston Alexander following "Kimbo Slice" loss
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Houston Alexander faltered when it mattered most, and now the UFC veteran will soon receive his walking papers from the organization.
UFC president Dana White today told a small group of reporters at the UFC 107 pre-event press conference that Alexander, who recently dropped a lackluster unanimous decision to Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson, has been cut from the UFC.
MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) has since confirmed the process hasn't been completed but soon will be.
"I was going to leave," White said of Ferguson vs. Alexander. "I was going to get up and walk out of the fight. That's what I thought of it. If I didn't have to hand out 'The Ultimate Fighter' trophy at the end (of the event), I would have left that night. It wasn't a good night for me."
While complimenting Ferguson for a legit career win, White also compared Alexander to former UFC fighter Kalib Starnes, who was cut in 2008 following a bizarre loss to Nate Quarry. Starnes, who later said he was injured prior to the bout, continually backpeddled in the fight, which he lost via blowout scores of 30-26, 30-27 and 30-24.
"As disgusted as I was with Houston Alexander's performance, Kimbo beat a real guy," White said. "The last thing I expected was for Houston Alexander to come in and do the Kalib Starnes."
White said he never discussed his displeasure with the fighter.
"I don't even want to talk to him," he said. "Houston had an opportunity to – ahh, anyway."
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This is ridiculous. He's gonna cut Houston because of one bad fight... Every other fight he's looked great.
He had a good opponent that had lots of power and he knew he wouldn't have survived a slug fest. Is the UFC really that afraid to admit that Kimbo can fight. He has come along way from the backyard brawler he once was. He still has a very weak ground game, but in time it will be better. Kimbo could have a real career in the UFC if he continues to expand as a fighter like he has.
The UFC doesn't have a lot of quality fighters left so to cut one of your good fighters because of an off night seems kind of ridiculous to me. Seems like Dana is gonna cut his nose despite his face.
Like I've said before the UFC had it's 5 mins of fame and I believe it's all down hill from here.
It's not competitive like it once was. No one right now can beat BJ Penn, no one right now can beat GSP, no one right now can beat Silva, and no one right now beat Brock (because he can't fight and because there aren't any real contenders in his weight class.) Almost all the weight classes and there aren't any decent challengers. Seems like the cards keep getting filled with repeat bouts or bouts that aren't that exciting. I mean think about it the most hyped fight in UFC is the fight between coaches of TUF and the best Dana can come up with is Lidell vs Tito! Really!!!
The UFC is at a stalemate and it doesn't seem like they are trying to get the caliber fighters they need to get out of it. Just my
