Cardo V. Urso MGySgt (Ret.)  began his Martial Arts training in Ueichi Ryu (Okinawan Karate) in 1971. Moving to New York in 1973, Cardo then began to train in Shukukai Karate, Judo and wrestled on his high school wrestling team, he was the captain of his wrestling team his junior and senior year. After graduating from South Glens Falls High School in 1977, Cardo competed in the National Championships for Greco-Roman Wrestling in Pontiac MI. Cardo attended and wrestled at Cobleskill Community College.

 

In 1978, Cardo enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and he continued to train and wrestled on the Camp Lejuene Greco-Roman team. In 1980, Cardo was reassigned to Parris Island SC where he served as a Drill Instructor. While there he trained in Tang So Do and Boxed on the Parris Island Boxing team. Receiving orders to Okinawa Japan in 1983, Cardo was able to train in Okinawan Karate and Kobudo. Being reassigned to Inspector Instructor duty in Joliet Il Cardo trained in  Hapkido and Matsukazi Ryu Jujitsu. Cardo moved back to Camp Lejuene NC in 1992, and became the Battalion Operations Chief for Third Battalion Tenth Marines. During this tour, Cardo became a Close Combat Instructor Trainer in Linear Infighting Nerol Override Engagement System (LINE) of Close Combat. In 1997, Cardo was designated as the Lead Subject Matter Expert (S.M.E.) for the Marine Corps Close Combat Program as he helped to developed and implemented this program Corps wide. In 1999 he helped to reconstructed the existing Marine Corps Close Combat Program into the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (M.C.M.A.P.). Retiring in 2002 as a Master Gunnery Sargent (E-9) Cardo went to work for a Federal Law Enforcement agency, as the Branch Chief for a Defensive Tactics program.

 

He has over 35 years of martial arts training, and currently holds Black Belts in Okinawa Karate, White Crane, Judo, Jujitsu and Sambo, and is also a level 3 instructor in the Miletich Fighting Systems.

 

Cardo was an Inspector for the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board until he became a Judge. As a Judge with the NJSACB, he has scored fights for promotions such as the UFC, IFL, EliteXC, Ring of Combat, Cage Fury, M-1, Bellator and Strikeforce. As a Judge for the UFC, he has worked in Rio de Janiero and Jaragua do Sul Brasil, Montreal, Birmingham England, Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Mohegan Sun, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington D.C.

 

Cardo still teaches and trains in martial arts at his school, The Habu Pit, in Northfield.

 

Cardo and his wife May reside in Egg Harbor Township and have two children, Dominic and Lauren.