5 Things You Might Not Know About Alex White

Team Destruction representative Alex White has run hot and cold during a seven-fight stint with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. The 29-year-old has lost four times in six appearances since he debuted with a first-round knockout of Estevan Payan in April 2014 and now finds himself paired with former Reality Fighting and Cage Fury Fighting Championships titleholder Jim Miller at UFC 228 this Saturday at the American Airlines Center in Dallas.

“The Spartan” last fought on Jan. 14, when he dropped a three-round decision to James Krause at UFC Fight Night 124. Ahead of White’s clash with Miller, here are five things you might not know about him:

1. A near-fatal accident when he was young led to a minor speech impediment.

White was only 4 years old when he mistakenly drank gasoline from an empty juice container, resulting in permanently damaged vocal cords. Doctors told his parents that only a miracle could save him, but he ultimately survived and recovered.

2. He was unusually shy as a kid.

Much of his social awkwardness was caused by his speech issue. White became an easy target for bullies at a young age and kept to himself as a matter of self-preservation. Even then, he was enamored with martial arts. White found a gym, started training and developed into a professional prizefighter who was unafraid to speak his mind.

3. He worked at a popular fast food chain.

White was working at a McDonald’s in Park Hill, Missouri, when he started his MMA training. His mother told him about a gym that opened across from the fast-food outlet, and he paid a visit. Future coach Joe Worden liked how he progressed and started schooling him in other aspects of the sport. Worten did not charge for classes, so in exchange, White cleaned the gym on a nightly basis.

4. His cousin gave him his moniker.

Back in high school, neighborhood disputes were settled in a garage owned by White’s cousin. An ex-convict happened upon one of those fights and wanted to join, and White was the only one willing to throw fists with him. Acting as the announcer, White’s cousin asked him what he wanted to be called. He shrugged. Out of nowhere, his cousin asked, “How about ‘The Spartan?’”

5. He was into martial arts films as a kid.

White was always interested in martial arts, and it showed in his choice of movies. He loved martial arts-themed films starring Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan.