Their lives reveal several details in common. Both were world class fighters in free style wrestling. Both were Olympic medalists and monarchs of the world. At one point they decided to seek new paths and migrated. Then they were inserted into the world of mixed martial arts (MMA). For the 2014 they share the dream to continue moving towards the elite of their respective circuits.
Yoel Romero (6-1-0) and Alexis Vila (13-4-0) will have their first fights of the year in a few days. The Pinar del Rio fighter will take the Octagon on January 15 to face Derek Brunson (11-2-0) at the Arena at Gwinnett Center in Georgia. The bout will be part of the UFC Night 35. Three days later, on the 18, Vila will rival Sidemar Honorio (8-4-0) at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Florida, one of the matches scheduled in the World Series on Fighthing 8.
Yoel Romero (85kg) was one of the best fighters in the world in freestyle wrestling for almost a decade. In 2000 he reached the silver medal at the Olympics held in Sydney. He won five medals at World Championships: gold in Ankara 1999, silver in Budapest 2002 and Tehran 2005, and bronze Tehran 1998 and in 2001 Krasnoyarsk. People still remember the epic battles held with two aces of mattresses, American Carl Sanderson and Russian Saitiev.
The record as a freestyler of Villa Clara Alexis Vila (48kg) is not far behind. In the far 1996 defeated in a brilliant fight Vugar Orudzhov and took possession of the summer bronze in Atlanta. It was universal King a couple of times: Toronto 1993 and Istanbul 1994, besides finishing second in the tournament hosted by Atlanta in 1995. Like Romero he climbed the peak in continental and Central American tournaments.
Yoel decided to settle in Germany in 2007. In that nation he began practicing mixed martial arts. His official debut came in December 2009 with a KO victory against German Sascha Weinpolter. He won on European soil three other fights. The only loss that he accumulates in his he suffered it when he was already in the United States. It happened in the Strikeforce circuit, and the perpetrator was Rafael Cavalcante. Last 2013 marked his debut in the UFC with KO of the night on April 20 at Clifford Starks in the middleweight division. Another success in September against Brazilian Ronny Markes validated him as one of the top prospects in his weight.
In the octagon he is called ” Soldier of God” and integrates the franchise American Top Team. He loves Brazilian jiujitsu , found in this discipline a strong ally for his learning path to the UFC . Moreover, his plans included training Muay Thai and Boxing . “Of the rest will take care the desire, the physical and the heart ” on one occasion the gladiator who turns 37 on April 30 said
The career of Alexis “The Exorcist” Vila in mixed martial arts has been developed entirely in the United States scenarios. After hisdebut in December 2007 with victory over Steven Nelson by submission, he remained undefeated in eleven combats until 2011. Then three straight setbacks came, including two in the Bellator circuit that led to the termination of his contract with the entity. At this moment Alexis also belongs to American Top Team. He lost his last fight by unanimous decision last October 26 before Josh Rettinghouse . He is about to turn 43 and has the commitment to resume his winning ways in this 2014.
The scene is ready to enjoy the upcoming shows of these two Cubans on January 15 and 18. The invitation is already there.
Author
Daniel A. Fernández
