Alexis Vila

Alexis Vila Perdomo (born March 12, 1971) is a Cuban professional mixed martial artist. An accomplished wrestler, Vila is also a two-time World Champion and 1996 Olympic bronze medallist. At the 1996 Summer Olympics he won the bronze medal in the Freestyle Light Flyweight (– 48 kg) category.

In 2019, Vila was sentenced to 15 years in prison for his part in a kidnapping and murder.

Background Born and raised in a rough neighborhood in Villa Clara, Cuba, Vila began getting into street fights from a young age. After winning multiple titles in wrestling and earning a bronze medal at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia, Vila defected to the United States in 1997 and found a job coaching at Michigan State University where he worked with future UFC fighters Rashad Evans and Gray Maynard. In 2004, Vila accidentally crashed his car into Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. Though no one was hurt, authorities mistakenly believed it to be attempted terrorism and Vila was charged with airport violence and sent to prison for three years. Upon his release, Vila began his career in mixed martial arts.

Mixed martial arts career

Bellator Fighting Championships Vila made his Bellator debut by defeating Featherweight Champion Joe Warren in the quarterfinals of the Bantamweight tournament at Bellator 51. Vila next faced Marcos Galvao and won by controversial split decision.

In the finals, Vila faced Eduardo Dantas for the Season 5 Bellator Bantamweight Tournament Championship. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Vila's next fight was against Luis Nogueira in the Quarterfinals of the Season 6 Bantamweight Tournament. Vila lost via unanimous decision.

World Series of Fighting Vila faced Josh Rettinghouse in a Bantamweight bout at World Series of Fighting 6: Burkman vs. Carl on October 26, 2013. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Vila faced Sidemar Honorio at WSOF 8. He won the bout via unanimous decision.

Vila then faced Brandon Hempleman at WSOF 12 on August 9, 2014. Vila lost via unanimous decision.

Other promotions Vila faced Brazilian prospect Marcel Adur at Fight Time 23: Mayhem In Miami on February 6, 2015. He lost the fight via body kick TKO, suffering the first TKO loss of his career.

Personal life He has a daughter in Cuba. He married Adriana Vila Perdomo (née De La Cruz) in Miami on April 26, 2012, but later divorced. She is now married to fellow Cuban boxer Joel Casamayor. On April 23, 2018, Vila was arrested for charges including 2nd degree murder.

In December 2019, he was sentenced to 15 years in prison following his conviction for his role in organizing the kidnapping, torture and murder of Camilo Salazar.

Mixed martial arts record Win

Jorge Calvo Decision (unanimous) Titan FC 40

Coral Gables, Florida, United States Loss

Abdiel Velazquez Decision (majority) Titan FC 39

Coral Gables, Florida, United States Loss

Marcel Adur TKO (body kick and punches) Fight Time 23 – Mayhem In Miami

Miami, Florida, United States Loss

Brandon Hempleman Decision (unanimous) WSOF 12

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Sidemar Honorio Decision (unanimous) WSOF 8

Hollywood, Florida, United States Flyweight bout Loss

Josh Rettinghouse Decision (unanimous) WSOF 6

Coral Gables, Florida, United States Bantamweight bout Win

Wascar Cruz Submission (guillotine choke) CFA – Fight Night 1

Miami, Florida, United States Win

Czar Sklavos Decision (unanimous) CFA 11: Kyle vs. Wiuff 2

Coral Gables, Florida, United States Loss

Joshua Sampo Submission (guillotine choke) CFA 9: Night of Champions

Coral Gables, Florida, United States For the inaugural CFA Flyweight Championship Loss

Luis Nogueira Decision (unanimous) Bellator 65

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Loss

Eduardo Dantas Decision (unanimous) Bellator 59

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Bellator Season 5 Bantamweight Tournament Final Win

Marcos Galvão Decision (split) Bellator 55

Yuma, Arizona, United States Bellator Season 5 Bantamweight Tournament Semifinal Win

Joe Warren KO (punch) Bellator 51

Canton, Ohio, United States Bellator Season 5 Bantamweight Tournament Quarterfinal; Bantamweight Debut. Win

Lewis McKenzie TKO (punches) MFA: New Generation 4

Miami, Florida, United States Win

Omar Choudhury TKO (punches) MFA: New Generation 2

Miami, Florida, United States Win

Sean Hall TKO (punches) MFA: New Generation 1

Miami, Florida, United States Win

Cody Bell TKO (punches) G-Force Fights: Bad Blood 2

Coral Gables, Florida, United States Win

Ben Nguyen KO (punch) PFC: Best of Both Worlds

Lemoore, California, United States Win

Ian Wolf Submission (rear-naked choke) MFA: There Will Be Blood

Miami, Florida, United States Win

Ralph Acosta TKO (punches) G-Force Fights: Bad Blood 1

Miami, Florida, United States Win

Tyler Weathers Decision (unanimous) Warpath

Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States Win

Steven Nelson Submission (guillotine choke) Crazy Horse Fights

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States