Who we are

The Hurt Handbook began in 2021 as an Instagram blog where journalism student and MMA fan Robert Cardillo would give his thoughts on MMA news and events.

In 2022, Cardillo’s friend Evan Ortiz joined him to create a podcast which has ultimately led to a steadily growing YouTube channel where the longtime friends break down UFC events, as well as other promotions in combat sports.

The pair have also done numerous interviews with fighters, pundits, and promoters. Cardillo and Ortiz have also traveled to cover fight cards in the past which has led to numerous entertaining vlogs and fascinating interviews on YouTube.

Robert Cardillo and Evan Ortiz posing and smiling, Robert holding a trophy, standing in front of an orange backdrop with white text that reads 'Department of Communication, William Paterson University, Maltese Awards.'
Three men posing in a gym, with former UFC Champion Aljamain Sterling in the center showing a fist gesture, with Robert Cardillo and Evan Ortiz pointing at him, with UFC posters and workout equipment in the background.
Robert Cardillo and Evan Ortiz standing together inside an MMA venue with seats, with a mixed group of people in the background. They are smiling.
Three men standing together at a NJPAC event, smiling, with a white NJPAC backdrop in the background. The man in the middle is wearing glasses, a navy blazer, and yellow sneakers. The man on the left is wearing glasses, a gray polo shirt, and black pants. The man on the right is wearing a black Adidas T-shirt and a black cap.
  • A smiling man with a beard holding a trophy at William Paterson University, standing in front of an orange backdrop with printed text about the Maltese Awards.

    Robert Cardillo

    FOUNDER/PODCAST HOST

    Robert Cardillo is a combat sports journalist for The Hurt Handbook who graduated from William Paterson University in 2024 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications with a focus in Broadcast Journalism. At William Paterson’s 2024 Maltese Awards, Cardillo won the Outstanding Emerging Journalist Award. He’s interviewed multiple UFC champions including Merab Dvalishvili and Aljamain Sterling, as well as MMA pundits like Ariel Helwani.

  • A young man with glasses and a beard stands in a room with orange walls, wearing a black UFC Gym t-shirt and beige sweatpants. There are two pairs of white and black boxing gloves with signatures and a black sign that reads 'The Hurt Handbook' on a dark wooden table behind him.

    Evan Ortiz

    PODCAST HOST

    Evan Ortiz covers combat sports for The Hurt Handbook serving as a co-host on weekly podcasts. Ortiz has been training martial arts for a year and a half with The Cash Money team at the Frankie Edgar UFC Gym in Riverdale New Jersey and has trained with multiple former UFC fighters. He’s interviewed respected fighters such as UFC welterweight Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson, Karate Combat Heavyweight Champion Sam Alvey, and former UFC featherweight/lightweight Dennis Bermudez. Ortiz hopes to compete in some capacity in the near future and document each step of the way through The Hurt Handbook.

  • Silhouette of a person holding a camera rig outdoors during dusk or night with trees and streetlights in the background.

    James Pellegrino

    TECHNICAL DIRECTOR

    James Pellegrino is a technical director for The Hurt Handbook who graduated from The College of New Jersey in 2024 with Bachelor’s Degree in Communications with a focus in TV/Film, while also minoring Design & Creative Technology. Pellegrino has experience in video/audio production, having produced The Hurt Handbook Live, as well as Lion’s Television at The College New Jersey.