It looks like lightweight fighter Alex Karalexis will not be part of the upcoming UFC expansion. That's because he was recently released by the Zuffa-owned promotion according to fiveouncesofpain.

Karalexis was expected to meet Zack Micklewright at WEC 48, however; when an injury forced Micklewright off the card, Anthony Pettis was booked to replace him.

Pettis was victorious via submission (triangle choke).

Karalexis was expected to step back in the cage shortly after for a bout with Zhan Tie Quan at WEC 51, but was forced to withdraw due to injury.

"T-Rex" was subsequently released from the WEC.

Now Karalexis will have to earn a spot on the UFC roster -- and it wouldn't be the first time.

Karalexis entered The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) season 1 as a middleweight. He was eliminated after losing to eventual TUF season 1 winner Diego Sanchez. "T-Rex" was invited back to the UFC at The Ultimate Fighter 1 Finale and made the most of the opportunity with a TKO victory over fellow cast member Josh Rafferty. 

Things wouldn't be as smooth for Karalexis later on as he suffered a TKO at the hands of current lightweight contender Kenny Florian and then being left unconscious courtesy of Jason Von Flue's shoulder choke. Karalexis was then released by the UFC.

"T-Rex" made his debut for WEC in August 2006. In his first three bouts with the promotion, he went 3-0 with victories over Thomas Denny, Olaf Alfonso and Josh Smith. Karalexis' hot streak came to a crashing halt when he was TKO'd by newcomer Ed Ratcliff. Karalexis tried to rebound from the loss, but suffered another TKO at the hands of Bart Palaszewski. 

A TKO win over Greg Mcintyre was followed by a submission loss to "Showtime" Pettis, which led to Karalexis' release.