Alexis Vila

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==