Phil Ryan Cardella is an American mixed martial arts fighter. He formerly fought as a lightweight in the World Extreme Cagefighting organization. All but one of Cardella?s triumphs have come by first-round submission. He holds a 2nd degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under Relson Gracie, as well as a 3rd degree black belt in Taekwondo and a 2nd Degree black belt in Hapkido. He served as an assault amphibious vehicle crewman in the United States Marine Corps from 1994 to 1998, during which he also taught primary marksmanship and combat water safety. Today he continues to work with various branches of the U.S. Military to train them in hand to hand combatives using Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Phil was the first American fighter to represent the Relson Gracie Team in MMA competition. Relson Gracie has been in Phil's corner during many of his MMA matches. Phil is the founder Relson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu associations in Texas but has now moved to Florida to lead his team and community there and is the Head Instructor of Relson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Florida, a martial arts school specializing in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. 

July 9th, 1976 in Houston (Age 47)