Career
Born and raised in a rough neighborhood in 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 the 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 Bellator Fighting Championships
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 versus Carl on October 26, 2013. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.
Vila faced Sidemar Honorio at WSOF 8.
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.