Being 42 years old, former UFC fighter Houston Alexander had seen it all in MMA. Well, almost.
Last October, Alexander took on Virgil Zwicker at Bellator 129 and fought to a draw for the first time in his career.
It was a result that the light heavyweight didn’t expect, even after the third frame concluded.
“I was surprised when they announced that my last fight with Virgil was a draw,” said Alexander. “I thought I was up on the scorecards. I thought I had won each round. I was surprised and kind of disappointed, but that’s how it goes when you let the fight go the judges.”
And really, it was a fight that Alexander controlled through-out, but a point deduction to headbutts is what cost him the victory on the scorecards.
“I was taught to keep my head underneath my opponent’s chin because it throws him off and allows you to work for a better position. That’s how they teach you in MMA and wrestling. That’s what I thought I was trying to do, but I guess I was a little bit too aggressive.”
Following the point deduction, Alexander’s fighting style against Zwicker altered paths.
“After the referee separated us in the third round and took a point from me, I was just thinking I had to keep pressure on him.”
Now, Houston Alexander will have an opportunity to avenge his draw, and he believes that he has rectified his issues with accidental headbutts.
“I have ways to avoid being penalized for headbutts in the next fight. I’ve been working in the gym to make sure nothing I do is misinterpreted as a headbutt,” said Alexander. “It’s just a matter of making sure I don’t get over aggressive when I get in those positions again.”
Alexander will approach the rematch with no intentions of meeting Zwicker in the cage again.
“I felt like I won the last fight, and I’m going to win this fight, so that’s the end of it. There’s not going to be a trilogy here.”