Alexander, Al-Hassan Cleared for MMA Pit Fight ‘Genesis’

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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- Houston Alexander once made jaws drop by dropping Keith Jardine in 48 seconds at UFC 71.

On Saturday, he'll co-headline the first ever mixed martial arts card to be held at the Pit, the most historic sporting venue in the state of New Mexico.

Both Alexander (201.5 pounds) and his opponent, UFC veteran Razak Al-Hassan (204 pounds), made weight for their main event bout at the MMA Fight Pit: "Genesis."

Eight of the other 10 fighters slated to appear on the national pay-per-view card, including co-headliners Jens Pulver (136) and Coty "Ox" Wheeler (137), were within the two-pound allowance given by the New Mexico State Athletic Commission.

Only “Ultimate Fighter 8” alum Junie Allen Browning (162.75) and Jacob Clark (158), a late replacement for the injured Lenny Lovato Jr., failed to make weight. Sherdog.com has learned from NMSAC officials that Browning paid Clark an undisclosed sum of money for exceeding weight by a greater amount, and the bout will go on as planned.

Alexander was released from the UFC following a loss to Kimbo Slice at “The Ultimate Fighter 10” Finale. The Premier Combat Sports Product enters the bout with Al-Hassan on a three-fight winning streak, including a come-from-behind victory against Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou at Shark Fights 13.

The UFC cut ties with Al-Hassan after losses to Steve Cantwell and Kyle Kingsbury in 2009. The Taekwondo specialist has since won four of his last five bouts, dropping a split decision to Dwayne Lewis in his most recent fight at MFC 27. Formerly based out of the acclaimed Roufusport camp, Al-Hassan has recently relocated to train under UFC veteran Eric Schafer at Red Schafer Mixed Martial Arts in Milwaukee.

Pulver, the UFC's first lightweight champion, has lost seven of his last nine bouts, including his most recent appearance against Brian Davidson at Titan Fighting Championships 18. "Lil Evil" owns notable wins over B.J. Penn, Joe Stevenson, Caol Uno, Dennis Hallman and Cub Swanson.

Wheeler had a two fight stint in the WEC, dropping decisions to Will Campuzano and Charlie Valencia. The Mescalero native has since won two fights in a row, besting Ray Robinson and Michael Chupa.

The main card portion of Genesis -- scheduled to being at 9 p.m. EST on pay-per-view -- also includes a middleweight bout between Jackson’s Mixed Martial Arts product Willie Parks (187) and “Ultimate Fighter” Season 11 competitor Jamie Yager (185.5); the aforementioned tussle pitting Browning against the Farmington, N.M., native Clark; a heavyweight showdown between Ultimate Fighter 7 contestant Prince McLean (220) and Jackson's MMA product Tyler East (240.5); and a 105-pound women's tilt featuring Angelica Chavez (106.25) from Albuquerque's Chavez Dojo and Colorado kickboxing specialist Diana Rael (105.25).

All fighters for the card's four preliminary bouts met their weight requirements. Farmington's Guy Youell (147.25) takes on Jackson's Conrad Padilla (145.5); Coppell, Texas, native Jason Sampson (135.75) battles Albuquerque's Joshua Montoya (136); Sean Spencer (170.75) meets Ali Hanjani (170.75) from Arvada, Colo.; Albuquerque's Mark Lujan (183.8) makes his professional debut against Jackson's MMA's Rocky Ramirez (182.4).

MMA Fight Pit “Genesis” Weigh-in Results:
Razak Al-Hassan (204) vs. Houston Alexander (201.5)
Jens Pulver (136) vs. Coty Wheeler (137)
Jamie Yager (185.5) vs. Willie Parks (187)
Junie Allen Browning (162.75) vs. Jacob Clark (158)
Prince McLean (220) vs. Tyler East (240.5)
Diana Rael (105.25) vs. Angelica Chavez (106.25)
Guy Youell (147.25) vs. Conrad Padilla (145.5)
Jason Sampson vs. 135.75) vs. Joshua Montoya (136)
Sean Spencer (170.75) vs. Ali Hanjani (170.75)
Mark Lujan (183.8) vs. Rocky Ramirez (182.4)