Our sport of mixed martial arts has come a long way since its birth in 1993. It has evolved from what was dubbed as “human cock-fighting”, to a high level sport that has roots in almost every country in the world. The rapid evolution of the sport is evident with the entrance of Olympic level athletes into the sport, including mostly Judo and wrestling.
There has yet to be an Olympian in the sport who has not dominated. If you need an example, look no further than the American Top Team wrestling phenom from Cuba; Alexis Vila (9-0-0). Another perfect example is a teammate of Vila’s, Bellator middleweight champ Hector Lombard (22-4-0). Vila, who is undefeated at flyweight (125 lbs), will be competing as one of the eight men in the next Bellator bantamweight tournament. It will go down as one of the most stacked tournaments in the history of the sport.
Bellator has done an excellent job of seeking out these Olympians and signing them to their stacked tournaments. Three of the seven champions in the tournament-style organization; Lombard, Ben Askren and Joe Warren are all elite caliber Olympians, or at least qualified to be so (in Warren’s case). Alexis was a bronze medalist in wrestling in the 1996 Olympics and brings a ruthless and exciting ground & pound style into the cage every time he enters it. All but one of his nine victories was a brutal finish with his last five coming by way of KO/TKO.
While Alexis is moving up in weight, several of the other combatants in the tournament are coming down from 145. All think they will be the ones to challenge current champ Zach Makovsky (13-2-0) for the title, including featherweight champ Warren (7-1-0), who is dropping down to make his run at a second title. Andre Galvao (9-4-1), a man many say defeated Warren in his last fight, is out for redemption and has his eyes on the strap. Inaugural 145-pound champ Joe Soto (9-1-0) is also dropping down to try his hand at a lower weight. Another former champion, Chase Beebe (18-7-0), who held the WEC bantamweight title, has also made his way into the tourney and looks to be a title holder once again. The finalist from the first BW tournament, Ed West (16-5-0) is making a return as well, looking for a rematch with the champ.
The remaining two participants, Eduardo Dantas (10-2-0) and Luis Nogueira (11-1-0) are young and relatively unknown, yet extremely talented and their hunger is not to be underestimated. Vila, who is coming in at 40 years old, knows this better than any of his adversaries but also realizes what he is capable of and feels his skills will be sharper than any of his opponents. Many put him at a size disadvantage, with all his career fights taking place at 125 pounds but the Cuban anvil has packed on some pounds of muscle and says he now walks around at about 150 pounds. In his mind and the minds of his training partners, there is no one capable of standing between him and the title of champion.
It's going to be an exciting year for Alexis. On top of the tournament, he is to be featured on a new reality show; Miami Hustle created by Genghis Con. His cast members include his friends and training partners, Jorge Masvidal, JZ Cavalcante & Jorge Santiago as well as Danillo and Yuri Villefort. Miami Hustle premiered this week with the first episode focusing on Vila and his training camp for Lewis McKenzie.
Dave Herbert: You are moving up in weight to compete in the next Bellator bantamweight tournament. Coming up from 125 lbs, do you feel you are at a size disadvantage?
Alexis Vila: Not at all. I'm big now. I'm weighing 149. I've spent the last 6 months training hard and lifting weights to bulk up. You should see me!
DH: You’re coming in undefeated at flyweight. Do you feel any added pressure going into this tournament to keep your undefeated status?
Vila: My opponents should feel pressure. Me, I'm an Olympian. I'm in great shape and I train hard every day. I spar with guys that are 145, 155, 170 even and I run over everyone. So no, there is no added pressure just excitement!
DH: Stylistically, what do you think of current champ Zach Makovsky?
Vila: I don't think about him. Period.
DH: Do you know who you are fighting in the opening round? Who would you choose to face if you could?
Vila: I don't know who I will be facing yet, but I am ready to fight anyone they put in front of me.
DH: What are your thoughts on Joe Warren dropping down to enter the tournament?
Vila: I think he believes he can be the champion in 2 weight classes which is why he dropped down. The problem is now he has to face me.
DH: Who do you feel is the strongest wrestler in the tournament besides yourself?
Vila: I haven't even thought about it because I'm an Olympic wrestler so I don't worry about anyone else.
DH: Who do you think is the best striker?
Vila: Me. (Laughs)
DH: Do you feel your standup is good enough to stand and trade with any of the guys in the tournament?
Vila: Yes. Although wrestling is what I'm best at, I've been boxing since I was a kid.
DH: Former champ Joe Soto is also dropping down to make his return in this tournament. What are your thoughts on Soto making his return as a bantamweight?
Vila: I think he should have stayed at his weight class because now he is going to have to face defeat against me.
DH: Other fighters in the tournament are Luis Nogueira, Eduardo Dantas, Chase Beebe, Ed West and Marcos Galvao. Who are you most excited about possibly facing?
Vila: I'm not excited to fight anyone they should be excited to fight me.
DH: Who in the tournament do you feel presents the biggest threat stylistically?
Vila: Honestly, these are not things that I think about. I train like a beast every single day. I'm ready to fight all the time. I don't worry about who my opponents are- I just want to be in the cage and I will produce every time.
DH: Did Galvao’s fight with Warren tell you anything about either fighter?
Vila: I didn't watch the fight. I know Warren and I think he is a great fighter.
DH: How is Miami Hustle coming along? Are you having fun shooting it?
Vila: I actually have a couple reality show opportunities in the works. I think the next 12 months are going to be very exciting.
DH: What is your prediction for Dominick Cruz/Urijah Faber?
Vila: Now that Urijah Faber is cutting so much weight I don't think he's the same fighter. I really like him but, I'd have to say Dominick Cruz in this case.
DH: Anyone you would like to thank?
Vila: Thanks to all my fans, ATT, my coaches and staff, and my management team from ML Management - Tina and Ray. And go watch Miami Hustle!
