Billy Evangelista
# Billy Evangelista

Billy Evangelista (born October 7, 1980) is an American former mixed martial artist. A professional from 2006 until 2014, he fought for World Extreme Cagefighting, Strikeforce, and the Palace Fighting Championship in his career.

## Background

Evangelista was born and raised in Parlier, California and began wrestling when he was in the seventh grade. He continued at Parlier High School, where he was ranked #1 in his league as both a sophomore and junior. As a junior, he placed sixth in the Valley Championship, barely missing state qualifications. After graduating in 1999, he continued his wrestling career at Fresno City College for one season before enlisting in the United States Army in the Airborne Infantry division. He did a three-year tour and was based in Alaska. Six months prior to leaving the army, Evangelista was introduced to jiu-jitsu by his brother Jorge, who also wrestled at Fresno City College. After having his arm hyper-extended by a friend of his brother's, Evangelista fell in love with the sport and began training soon after.

## Mixed martial arts career

### Early career

Evangelista, who weighed 215 lbs, also began mixed martial arts as a way to lose weight. After compiling a 2-0 amateur MMA record, he made his professional MMA debut in January 2006. After a year away from the sport, he continued fighting in February 2007 when he made his debut for Strikeforce. During his career he trained under Jasper Tayaba at Team Buhawe and Javier Mendez at the American Kickboxing Academy.

### Strikeforce

Over the next two years he amassed an impressive undefeated streak of 9-0.

Evangelista suffered his first recorded loss in a fight against Mike Aina at Strikeforce Challengers: Evangelista vs. Aina. He was originally disqualified for an alleged illegal knee strike to the head. However, replays showed it was a legal blow and the decision was eventually overturned by the California State Athletic Commission.

Evangelista would rebound from this controversial loss, defeating both Waachiim Spiritwolf and Jorge Gurgel via decision on Strikeforce Challengers shows. He eventually did suffer his first defeat via decision against Jorge Masvidal at Strikeforce: Feijao vs. Henderson.

Evangelista then faced K. J. Noons at Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Masvidal in December 2011. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

After Strikeforce closed in January 2013, Evangelista was not among the fighters imported to the Ultimate Fighting Championship roster, having lost his last two Strikeforce bouts. He returned to action at The Warriors Cage: Conflict on June 21, 2013, finishing Josh Thornburg by TKO for his first stoppage win since 2008.

## Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown :

| 17 matches | 13 wins | 3 losses |
| - | - | - |
| By knockout | 5 | 0 |
| By submission | 0 | 1 |
| By decision | 8 | 2 |
| No contests | 1 | 1 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
| Loss | 13–3 (1) | Felipe Fogolin | Submission (rear-naked choke) | TWC 20: Isolation | June 20, 2014 | 1 | 1:41 | Porterville, California, United States | |
| Win | 13–2 (1) | Josh Thornburg | TKO (punches) | TWC 17: Conflict | June 21, 2013 | 3 | 1:31 | Porterville, California, United States | |
| Win | 12–2 (1) | Zak Bucia | Decision (unanimous) | UPC Unlimited: Up & Comers 15 | May 11, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Fresno, California, United States | Welterweight debut. |
| Loss | 11–2 (1) | K. J. Noons | Decision (unanimous) | Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Masvidal | December 17, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | San Diego, California, United States | |
| Loss | 11–1 (1) | Jorge Masvidal | Decision (unanimous) | Strikeforce: Feijao vs. Henderson | March 5, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Columbus, Ohio, United States | |
| Win | 11–0 (1) | Waachiim Spiritwolf | Decision (unanimous) | Strikeforce Challengers: Bowling vs. Voelker | October 22, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | Fresno, California, United States | Catchweight (165 lbs) bout. |
| Win | 10–0 (1) | Jorge Gurgel | Decision (unanimous) | Strikeforce Challengers: Gurgel vs. Evangelista | November 6, 2009 | 3 | 5:00 | Fresno, California, United States | Catchweight (160 lbs) bout. |
| NC | 9–0 (1) | Mike Aina | No Contest (overturned by CSAC) | Strikeforce Challengers: Evangelista vs. Aina | May 15, 2009 | 2 | 3:42 | Fresno, California, United States | Catchweight (157 lbs) bout. Originally a DQ win for Aina due to an illegal knee strike to the head; overturned after it was determined that the knee struck the shoulder, not the head. |
| Win | 9–0 | Harris Sarmiento | Decision (unanimous) | PFC 12: High Stakes | January 22, 2009 | 3 | 3:00 | Lemoore, California, United States | |
| Win | 8–0 | Luke Caudillo | Decision (unanimous) | Strikeforce: Payback | September 3, 2008 | 3 | 5:00 | Denver, Colorado, United States | |
| Win | 7–0 | Nam Phan | Decision (split) | Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Thomson | June 27, 2008 | 3 | 5:00 | San Jose, California, United States | |
| Win | 6–0 | Marlon Sims | KO (punch) | Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Le | March 29, 2008 | 3 | 0:39 | San Jose, California, United States | Catchweight (163 lbs) bout. |
| Win | 5–0 | Clint Coronel | Decision (split) | Strikeforce: Playboy Mansion | September 29, 2007 | 3 | 5:00 | Beverly Hills, California, United States | |
| Win | 4–0 | Ryan Bixler | Decision (unanimous) | Melee on the Mountain | July 24, 2007 | 5 | 5:00 | Friant, California, United States | |
| Win | 3–0 | Alexander Crispim | TKO (punches) | Gladiator Challenge 61 | March 31, 2007 | 3 | 3:48 | San Francisco, California, United States | |
| Win | 2–0 | Isaiah Hill | TKO (punches) | Strikeforce: Young Guns | February 10, 2007 | 1 | 1:39 | San Jose, California, United States | |
| Win | 1–0 | Ryan Healy | TKO (punches and elbows) | WEC 18: Unfinished Business | January 13, 2006 | 2 | 2:06 | Lemoore, California, United States | |
