Houston Alexander, father of six, DJ, hip hop artist was about to step into the ring with Keith Jardine. Most fans didn't see this as much more than a gimme fight for Jardine, but forty eight seconds later it was clear that Houston Alexander was going to be a force in the UFC light heavyweight division.



It took just forty eight seconds for Houston Alexander to prove to the world that he belonged in the UFC mix. If Keith Jardine wasn't a believer before the fight, he surely was one afterwards. Alexander landed a big uppercut, then didn't stop until the ref pulled him off.

After that fight, half of the UFC fans thought that Alexander had something, a big, strong, athletic fighter with huge power in his fists. The other half didn't see enough to make a decision.

Alexander's second fight, against Alessio Sakara took longer, thirteen seconds longer in fact. Alexander got caught early, but laid a beating on Sakara leaving the fans in disbelief, but wanting more. The fans are about to get it on November 17th when Houston Alexander takes on undefeated UFC light heavyweight fighter Thiago Silva.

New Jersey is the host city for UFC seventy eight "Validation". The main event fight features two other light heavyweights, winners of seasons of the Ultimate Fighter TV series, Rashad Evans and Michael Bisping. Both of those two fighters are coming off of uninspired performances. Rashad had a draw against a very tough Tito Ortiz, while Bisping won (and lost) to Matt Hamill. While Houston Alexander isn't in the main event fight that night, I beleive that he should be ranked higher than the other two given his victory over Keith Jardine.

If Houston Alexander wins this fight convincingly then there is no doubt that he belongs right up there in title contention with the big UFC light heavyweight stars. It's crowded at the top, but I'm sure that somebody with Houston Alexanders strength and power can push his way through. I don't want to make a prediction for this fight, but it's difficult to ignore a fighter who has been so very dominant with fighters of the stature of Jardine and Alessio. Especially when you consider that Keith Jardine has wins over Chuck Liddell and Forrest Griffin. Between those two they've defeated Shogun, Tito, Randy. Babalu, Bonnar and the list goes on and on. Keith Jardine is at the very top of the UFC light heavyweight division, the deepest division in MMA and Alexander man handled him.

Does Houston Alexander have the tools necessary to climb to the top of the UFC light heavyweight division? Will he eventually hold the belt currently held by Quinton "Rampage" Jackson? We need to see more of Houston in action to decide, but one thing is for certain, Houston Alexander will make every second of the journey exciting for the fans of the UFC.