Liddell-Jackson II Headlines UFC 71 Card
Jardnie vs. Alexander
May 24, 2007
Keith
Jardine (Pictures) vs. Houston Alexander
On what is one of the more competitive fight cards in recent memory, the pairing of Keith Jardine (Pictures) and Houston Alexander sticks out like a sore thumb.
Much like an episode of World's Wildest Police Chases, the appeal
of this one seems to be rooted more in the potential for physical
devastation than true competition. Then again, the UFC has shown a
penchant of late for unearthing previously unknown talent and while
one can question Alexander's credentials, his work ethic is beyond
reproach.
A single father of six, Alexander spends his days balancing his fatherly duties with his fistic duties and thus far, has found success in both. Having originally made his debut in 2001, Alexander went on an extended hiatus in early 2005 that lasted all the way into 2007. Making his return barely a month and a half ago, the East. St. Louis-born Alexander certainly isn't short on bravery and he'll need plenty to handle one of the UFC's premier light heavyweight contenders.
The net result has been a much more active fight schedule and with the popularity Jardine gained from his run on TUF, he saw his star rise to new heights in 2006 thanks in no small part to a stunning KO victory over one of TUF's most recognizable stars, Forrest Griffin (Pictures).
It was a sudden and unexpected blitzkrieg of punches that Jardine (12-2-1) used to dispatch Griffin in the first round, and it's that killer instinct that many have felt the Greg Jackson-trained light heavyweight was lacking. In three prior UFC contests, Jardine, 31, went the full time limit, and in his bout against Stephan Bonnar (Pictures) it cost him dearly as he dropped a hotly disputed unanimous decision.
That night is way off in the rearview mirror for Jardine, who seems focused on building off his most recent success instead of being dragged down by past failures.
Much as one may try and find a scenario where Alexander, 35, pulls off the upset of upsets, it's hard to imagine him doing so considering he's in the UFC only because he was one the few fighters out there willing to fight Keith Jardine (Pictures) on short notice. I'll give the man credit for bravery, but Jardine is far more experienced and is coming off the best performance of his career.
The potential for a let down is always there with any fighter (*cough*Georges St. Pierre (Pictures)*cough*) but Alexander's standard-issue moderately well-rounded style isn't going to get him anywhere against Jardine. There is no place that this fight can go where Alexander, who now fights out of Omaha, Neb., can put Jardine in danger. "The Dean of Mean" is simply better on the ground, in the clinch and on the feet.
When you take into account Jardine's newfound aggression and the potential for a quick night's work, a KO of the Night award is on the table. Alexander (6-1-0, 1 NC) won't roll over, but he will find himself grossly outgunned and the victim of a KO midway through the first round.
On what is one of the more competitive fight cards in recent memory, the pairing of Keith Jardine (Pictures) and Houston Alexander sticks out like a sore thumb.
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A single father of six, Alexander spends his days balancing his fatherly duties with his fistic duties and thus far, has found success in both. Having originally made his debut in 2001, Alexander went on an extended hiatus in early 2005 that lasted all the way into 2007. Making his return barely a month and a half ago, the East. St. Louis-born Alexander certainly isn't short on bravery and he'll need plenty to handle one of the UFC's premier light heavyweight contenders.
Jardine, like Alexander, made his initial foray into the world of
professional MMA in 2001 but has enjoyed the luxury of training
with what has become one of the elite MMA academies in America,
Jackson's Submission Fighting.
The net result has been a much more active fight schedule and with the popularity Jardine gained from his run on TUF, he saw his star rise to new heights in 2006 thanks in no small part to a stunning KO victory over one of TUF's most recognizable stars, Forrest Griffin (Pictures).
It was a sudden and unexpected blitzkrieg of punches that Jardine (12-2-1) used to dispatch Griffin in the first round, and it's that killer instinct that many have felt the Greg Jackson-trained light heavyweight was lacking. In three prior UFC contests, Jardine, 31, went the full time limit, and in his bout against Stephan Bonnar (Pictures) it cost him dearly as he dropped a hotly disputed unanimous decision.
That night is way off in the rearview mirror for Jardine, who seems focused on building off his most recent success instead of being dragged down by past failures.
Much as one may try and find a scenario where Alexander, 35, pulls off the upset of upsets, it's hard to imagine him doing so considering he's in the UFC only because he was one the few fighters out there willing to fight Keith Jardine (Pictures) on short notice. I'll give the man credit for bravery, but Jardine is far more experienced and is coming off the best performance of his career.
The potential for a let down is always there with any fighter (*cough*Georges St. Pierre (Pictures)*cough*) but Alexander's standard-issue moderately well-rounded style isn't going to get him anywhere against Jardine. There is no place that this fight can go where Alexander, who now fights out of Omaha, Neb., can put Jardine in danger. "The Dean of Mean" is simply better on the ground, in the clinch and on the feet.
When you take into account Jardine's newfound aggression and the potential for a quick night's work, a KO of the Night award is on the table. Alexander (6-1-0, 1 NC) won't roll over, but he will find himself grossly outgunned and the victim of a KO midway through the first round.
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