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.
Six months prior to leaving the army, Evangelista was introduced to jiu-jitsu by his brother Jorge, who also wrestled at Fresno City College.
However, replays showed it was a legal blow and the decision was eventually overturned by the California State Athletic Commission.
[4] Evangelista would rebound from this controversial loss, defeating both Waachiim Spiritwolf and Jorge Gurgel via decision on Strikeforce Challengers shows.
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.