Even as EliteXC champ, UFC 165's Wilson Reis had one eye on the octagon

The first notable feat of Wilson Reis‘ pro MMA career came five years ago and 14 bouts ago.

As the short-lived EliteXC promotion was moving closer to extinction, Reis won the CBS-televised organization’s first (and only) 140-pound title. But even back then, the Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt had his eye on the world’s largest fight promotion.

“Around that time, the WEC already belonged to Zuffa,” Reis, 28, told MMAjunkie.com. “I was contacted by (former WEC General Manager) Reed Harris, but I had just signed a contract with Bellator. But we kept in touch.”

After the demise of EliteXC, Reis fought nine times for Bellator, competed in four tournaments, but was released after back-to-back losses to Patricio “Pitbull” Freire and Eduardo Dantas. He then hit the regional circuit, racking up four consecutive wins, three of which came via submission. That was enough to garner the interest of UFC officials, who recently offered him a contract.

“It was a surprise,” Reis said of the deal. “But I had been trying to get into the UFC ever since I left Bellator. I’ve been in contact with (matchmaker) Sean Shelby this entire time.”

Although he initially was slated to fight Hugo “Wolverine” Viana at UFC Fight Night 28, Reis (16-4 MMA, 0-0 UFC) ultimately was shifted to a bout with bantamweight Ivan Menjivar (25-10 MMA, 4-3 UFC) on Saturday at UFC 165. They meet in a FOX Sports 1-televised preliminary-card bout at Toronto’s Air Canada Centre prior to the pay-per-view main card.

“I hope ‘Wolverine’ has a speedy recovery,” Reis said. “As far as my fight, the UFC matchmakers assured me they’d put me on another card right away, and that’s what happened. Mere days after my debut was postponed, I found out I’d be on the UFC 165 card in Canada, headlined by Jon Jones, against Ivan Menjivar, who’s a much more experienced opponent and more highly ranked.”

He said the opportunity was a direct result of his ability to stay noticed. A pair of Matrix Fights bouts kept him busy, and a recent win at Cage Warriors 50 kept his name out there. And though he ultimately wasn’t selected for the show, he said he tried out for “The Ultimate Fighter 18,” which gave UFC officials another chance to take notice of him.

While he couldn’t have predicted things would turn out so well, especially after his initial UFC booking hit a snafu, Reis said he’s truly thankful for Saturday’s big opportunity against Menjivar, who has the 15th and final spot in the USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie.com MMA bantamweight rankings.

“I’m pretty excited,” he said. “Now, instead of facing a fellow Brazilian, I get an international-caliber opponent. It’s a great opportunity for me. I’ll be representing Brazil. I’m very happy.”

For more on UFC 165, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.