LAS VEGAS -- Long before anyone thought it a possibility,
Houston Alexander knew his path would one day cross with
Kevin “Kimbo Slice” Ferguson. He foresaw the matchup in a dream.
“I had a dream last year that I would actually fight him,” Alexander said during an open workout on Thursday. “I knew we were on this path to fight. This is the first time I’ve ever dreamt of something like this. When I woke up, I was like, ‘Oh, s--t. This could actually happen.’”
Strike “could.” Alexander will meet Slice in a featured 215-pound catchweight bout at “
The Ultimate Fighter 10” Finale this Saturday at the Palms Casino Resort. There, his dream will turn to stone cold reality when he stands across the Octagon from the bearded Bahamian-born brawler.
“It is kind of surreal,” Alexander said. “It’s kind of like déjà vu for me.”
Mick Doyle, who has trained Alexander since 2007, was not surprised when the 37-year-old Nebraskan made him aware of his vision.
“When he’s with his kids, he’s a family guy,” Doyle said. “The other half of him eats, sleeps and thinks this stuff. He wants to do good, so it doesn’t surprise me he was dreaming about a fight.”
The Alexander-Slice showdown has all the ingredients for which fans hunger, according to Doyle.
“Everybody likes black-on-black crime,” he said. “They both come from the streets. They’re both learning the game.”
Doyle, however, thinks Alexander has the advantage, so long as he does not allow himself to be drawn into a firefight, especially early, when a fresh Slice figures to be at his best.
“He was Kimbo at one time,” he said. “He’s two years of training ahead of him. He needs to remember that and not get drawn into a f--king backyard brawl.”
After he burst on the scene with violent stoppages of
Keith Jardine and
Alessio Sakara in 2007, Alexander ran aground. Three straight first-round losses followed. With the blessing of UFC brass, he accepted a fight with
Sherman Pendergarst under the Adrenaline MMA banner in September. It seemed like a risky endeavor, but Alexander passed the test, as he battered Pendergarst with leg kicks and punches.
“I’m kind of glad I went through it,” Alexander said. “The grade level was so high after [my wins over Jardine and Sakara]. It was a learning experience.”
Time away from the Octagon and its glaring spotlight served Alexander well.
“It wasn’t tough at all,” Alexander said. “I’ve been in the game for close to 10 years. I understand the ups and downs. You’re not going to win every one of them. The year was good for me to get adjusted and become a better MMA fighter.”
When the UFC came calling and offered Slice, he leaped at the chance.
“I thought about it and said, ‘Yeah, let’s take the fight,’” Alexander said. “I didn’t have to think twice about it.”
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