Alex Karalexis (born 1977)

Professional fighter and cast member on Season 1 of The Ultimate Fighter[7]

What is Alex Karalexis (born 1977) known for?

Alex Karalexis, born in Boston, Massachusetts on September 20, 1977, is a renowned figure in the world of mixed martial arts. Known by his nicknames "The Assassin" and "T-Rex," Karalexis made his mark as a professional fighter from 2003 to 2011. He represented Team Sityodtong and had a fruitful career, with a total of 16 fights, out of which he won 10 - five by knockout, one by submission, and four by decision.

Before Karalexis stepped into the ring, he was a student at Whitman-Hanson Regional High School in Hanson, Massachusetts. There, he showcased his skills in soccer and wrestling. His talents in soccer were so prominent that he was named the MVP of the Massachusetts All-Star Game. A brief stint at Massasoit Community College followed his high school years. However, due to a recurring leg injury, he had to sideline his soccer career.

Instead of allowing this setback to deter him, Karalexis ventured into kickboxing and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, eventually transitioning into mixed martial arts. His dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence led him to become a contestant on the first season of The Ultimate Fighter, a popular mixed martial arts competition. Karalexis also competed for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC).

Indeed, Karalexis's time on The Ultimate Fighter was memorable. Although he lost his first middleweight fight of the series to Diego Sanchez, he returned in the series finale as a welterweight, defeating Josh Rafferty via TKO in the first round. He fought against seasoned fighters like Kenny Florian and Jason Von Flue in the UFC, before moving onto WEC.

During his time at WEC, Karalexis once dropped down a weight class to compete in the lightweight division—a testament to his adaptability. Unfortunately, a broken hand and subsequent injuries forced him out of several important fights. Following the UFC/WEC merger in December 2010, Karalexis was released by Zuffa, LLC, after losing three of his last four WEC fights.

Today, Karalexis is remembered for his versatility, as he competed in lightweight, welterweight, and middleweight divisions. From his early days at Whitman-Hanson Regional High School to his career in the UFC and WEC, Alex Karalexis has left an indelible mark in the world of sports.

More insight into Karalexis's career can be found on his Sherdog profile.