WEC 39 Breakdown: The Undercard

Alex Karalexis vs. Greg McIntyre

Power Ratings

Karalexis
Striking : 2.5
Grappling : 2.0
Submissions : 1.0
Experience : 3.0
Total : 2.1

McIntyre
Striking : 1.5
Grappling : 1.5
Submissions : 1.5
Experience : 5.0
Total : 2.4

Analysis: Although not as stellar as his season one teammates on “The Ultimate Fighter” -- Stephan Bonnar, Mike Swick, Nate Quarry and Chris Leben -- Boston native Karalexis has made a decent career for himself after the series. After taking off almost all 2008, he lost his second fight in a row to former International Fight League regular Bart Palaszewski. Having yet to endure a three-fight losing streak during his six year career, the 31-year-old striker wants to change his fortunes.

A student of Dean Lister, McIntyre was welcomed into the WEC following a successful showing on the “Tapout” reality show. His promotional debut did not go as planned, though, as he got triangle choked late in his fight with Mike Budnik. Training with Lister, his main strength lies in the ground game, but McIntyre also has some wrestling and boxing skills in his arsenal.

* * *

Prediction: Look for Karalexis to walk away with a close decision in a battle between two of the most experienced fighters on the card.

Mike Budnik vs. John Franchi

Power Ratings

Budnik
Striking : 2.0
Grappling : 1.5
Submissions : 2.0
Experience : 1.5
Total : 1.8

Franchi
Striking : 2.0
Grappling : 2.0
Submissions : 1.5
Experience : 1.0
Total : 1.6

Analysis: Budnik (7-1), a veteran of the South Central MMA scene, has dropped down a weight class after suffering his first professional loss to amateur wrestling standout Shane Roller in December. Prior to taking up fighting, the 34-year-old “Wildfire” was a world-class inline skater for many years. The unbeaten Franchi (4-0) was originally scheduled to fight world-ranked Jose Aldo last September, but the bout was eventually scrapped. He will now receive a far more comfortable welcome to the promotion.

* * *

Prediction: Scott Adams, the WEC matchmaker when Franchi signed, must have seen something in the 26-year-old college student, as his victories over four opponents with 10 combined wins do not reveal much. The safe bet here is Budnik. Expect him to slap on one of his patented choke holds midway through the bout.

Justin Haskins vs. Mike Pierce

Power Ratings

Haskins
Striking : 1.5
Grappling : 2.0
Submissions : 2.5
Experience : 1.0
Total : 1.8

Pierce
Striking : 2.0
Grappling : 2.0
Submissions : 1.5
Experience : 1.5
Total : 1.8

Analysis: A Kurt Pellegrino-trained wrestler, Haskins (4-2) returns to the WEC for his second fight, as he will open the show against Pierce. Haskins was knocked out by Xtreme Couture prospect Johny Hendricks in his promotional debut in December. Pierce (6-1), a former welterweight champion inside the Oregon-based Sportfight promotion, is a short and stocky ground-and-pound machine with aggression to match.

* * *

Prediction: Haskins has the advantage in reach and the ground game, which makes up for his lack of experience. Look for the New Jersey native to control the bout on the mat en route to a decision victory against Pierce.