Billy Evangelista

Billy Evangelista
Born October 7, 1980Expression error: Unexpected > operatorExpression error: Unexpected > operatorExpression error: Unexpected > operator
Parlier, California, United States
Nationality American
Height 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Weight 155 lb (70 kg; 11.1 st)
Division Lightweight
Fighting out of Fresno, California, United States
Team American Kickboxing Academy
Team Buhawe
Years active 2006-present
Mixed martial arts record
Total 17
Wins 13
By knockout 5
By decision 8
Losses 3
By submission 1
By decision 2
No contests 1
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Billy Evangelista (born October 7, 1980) is an American mixed martial artist who has fought for World Extreme Cagefighting and Strikeforce in his career.

Background

Evangelista was born and raised in Parlier, California and began wrestling when he was in the 7th 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 6th 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.[1]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Evangelista, who weighed 215 lbs., began mixed martial arts to lose weight. 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. Billy is currently training under Jasper Tayaba at Pro Buhawe. Billy is currently contracted to fight for Palace Fighting Championship and Strikeforce.

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.[2]

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.[3] 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 21st, 2013, finishing Josh Thornburg by TKO for his first stoppage win since 2008.[4]

Mixed martial arts record

Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 13–3 (1) Felipe Fogolin Submission (rear-naked choke) TWC 20: Isolation June 20, 2014 1 1:41 Porterville, California, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 13–2 (1) Josh Thornburg TKO (punches) TWC 17: Conflict June 21, 2013 3 1:31 Porterville, California, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 12–2 (1) Zak Bucia Decision (unanimous) UPC Unlimited: Up & Comers 15 May 11, 2013 3 5:00 Fresno, California, United States
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 11–2 (1) KJ Noons Decision (unanimous) Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Masvidal December 17, 2011 3 5:00 San Diego, California, United States
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 11–1 (1) Jorge Masvidal Decision (unanimous) Strikeforce: Feijao vs. Henderson March 5, 2011 3 5:00 Columbus, Ohio, United States Lightweight bout
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 11–0 (1) Waachiim Spiritwolf Decision (unanimous) Strikeforce Challengers: Bowling vs. Voelker October 22, 2010 3 5:00 Fresno, California, United States Catchweight bout (165 lb)
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 10–0 (1) Jorge Gurgel Decision (unanimous) Strikeforce Challengers: Gurgel vs. Evangelista November 6, 2009 3 5:00 Fresno, California, United States Catchweight bout (160 lb)
style="background-color: #c5d2ea; text-align:center" |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 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.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 9–0 Harris Sarmiento Decision (unanimous) PFC 12: High Stakes January 22, 2009 3 3:00 Lemoore, California, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 8–0 Luke Caudillo Decision (unanimous) Strikeforce: Payback September 3, 2008 3 5:00 Denver, Colorado, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 7–0 Nam Phan Decision (split) Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Thomson June 27, 2008 3 5:00 San Jose, California, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 6–0 Marlon Sims KO (punch) Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Le March 29, 2008 3 0:39 San Jose, California, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 5–0 Clint Coronel Decision (split) Strikeforce: Playboy Mansion September 29, 2007 3 5:00 Beverly Hills, California, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 4–0 Ryan Bixler Decision (unanimous) Melee on the Mountain July 24, 2007 5 5:00 Friant, California, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 3–0 Alexander Crispim TKO (punches) Gladiator Challenge 61 March 31, 2007 3 3:48 San Francisco, California, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 2–0 Isaiah Hill TKO (punches) Strikeforce: Young Guns February 10, 2007 1 1:39 San Jose, California, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 1–0 Ryan Healy TKO (punches and elbows) WEC 18: Unfinished Business January 13, 2006 2 2:06 Lemoore, California, United States

[5]

References

  1. ↑ http://zinkin.tv/athletes/billy-evangelista/
  2. ↑ "Bellator champ Hector Lombard willing to move to 205 pounds for "Babalu" fight". MMAspot.com. 209-08-24. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  3. ↑ "Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Masvidal". Strikeforce.com. 2011-10-11.
  4. ↑ "TWC 17 "Conflict" Results". EagleMtnCasino.com. 2013-06-22.
  5. ↑ http://sherdog.com/fighter/Billy-Evangelista-14857

External links