Doug Evans Dropped by UFC, Scheduled for April “ShoXC”

Doug Evans (6-2 MMA, 0-2 UFC), the Alaskan-based fighter originally recruited by the UFC to fight Roger Huerta back in June, has confirmed that he was dropped from the UFC following a subsequent loss to Mark Bocek in December.

However, the 27-year-old fighter today told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) that he has already signed a deal with EliteXC and will be part of an April “ShoXC: Elite Challenger Series” event vs. Wilson Reis (3-0). The fight was first reported by Sam Caplan of fiveouncesofpain.com, who said the event will likely take place April 5 in California.

“ShoXC” is the MMA version of Showtime’s popular “ShoBox” program for boxing and features top prospects. EliteXC has hosted four “ShoXC” events to date, spotlighting fighters such as Paul Daley, Eddie Alvarez, Jared Hamman and Victor Valenzuela.

Evans, who competed as a lightweight in the UFC, said he’s looking forward to fighting at 140 lbs.

“Although I enjoyed fighting for the biggest fight organization out there, it will feel real good to get back to my more-natural weight class and start being one of the bigger guys in the division again,” Evans told MMAjunkie.com.

Evans began his professional career with six consecutive victories in the Alaska Fighting Championship, a successful Anchorage-based organization that’s sending a growing number of fighters to the continental U.S. to sign with major organization. Evans was the first to put the AFC on the map when he was picked to fight rising star Huerta at The Ultimate Fighter 5 Finale. Although he suffered a second-round TKO, Evans was impressive in the first round, nearly submitting Huerta while displaying veteran-like poise.

Although his contract was terminated after the December unanimous-decision loss to Bocek, Evans anticipates a successful career with EliteXC.

“I’m really excited to get in there with (EliteXC), where I plan on making my new home,” he said.

He’ll first take on Reis, a Pennsylvania-based fighter who scored a second-round submission of Zach Makovsky at a Jan. 25 “ShoXC” event. The Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt and accomplished grappler turned pro back in July 2007.