Josef "Ze Cobra" Manuel
Professor Josef "Ze Cobra" Manuel born and raised in Newark New Jersey was first introduced to this brilliant form of Martial Art in his teenage years watching Royce Gracie in the early editions of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He began his training in 2001 under Professor Mario Marcio Lemos a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt under Master Rickson and Royler Gracie of the famed Gracie Family. After receiving the rank of Blue Belt, Instructor Professor Mario Lemos relocated to South Jersey. This is the time where he began to train and study Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Professor David Adiv, a Black Belt under Master Royler Gracie. Professor Josef had the opportunity to be under the tutelage and train with Master Royler Gracie both in the U.S and in Brazil. In 2003, he received the rank of Purple Belt from Professor David Adiv. Professor Josef also trained with other Legendary Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu players in his search to increase his knowledge of this wonderful art, such as the founder of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Grandmaster Helio Gracie, Rorion Gracie, Royler Gracie, Renzo Gracie, Rolker Gracie, Ryron Gracie, Rener Gracie, Andre Pederneiras, Wendell Alexander, Robson "Robinho" Moura, Edson "Baiano" Carvalho, Cleber Luciano, John Danaher, Marcio Feitosa, Carlao Santos, Felipe Costa, Vitor "Shaolin" Ribeiro, Rogerio "Minotouro" Nogueira, Rodrigo "Feijao", Rubens "Cobrinha" Charles, Marcos Santos, Andre Galvao, Rafael Mendes, Gui Mendes, Ciao Terra, and Keenan Cornelius.
In 2004, Professor Josef traveled to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to train and compete. While he was there he sought out Master Robson Moura "The magician of the 135 pounders". Professor Josef finally had the chance to meet Master Robson in June of 2005 where the foundation for a lasting friendship was set in stone. On February 14th, 2009 Professor Josef was promoted to the prestigious rank of Black Belt Instructor by Master Robson Moura thus becoming Master Robson Moura’s 1st American Black Belt. Josef is currently a 4th degree Black Belt in the art of Jiu-Jitsu. On March 19, 2009, Professor Josef had the pleasure of training soldiers from the United States Army where he was awarded a Certificate of Achievement in Army Combatives Level 1. Jan 25, 2010 He was awarded Certificate of Achievement in Army Combative Level 2. Professor Josef Manuel will continue to train our armed forces and attain the highest level of Combative Training. Professor Josef Manuel’s expertise in the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has been recognized throughout the law enforcement community and he now has the pleasure of training Federal Agents and Local Law Enforcement Officials. With great mentors, dedication and a relentless will to succeed in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Professor Josef has been actively participating in the competition scene and is now fulfilling his goal of becoming a Champion and Master himself.
Actively Updating - Stay Tuned For More Titles
Actively Updating - Stay Tuned For More Titles
2023
•BLACK BELT IBJJF ATLANTA OPEN
GOLD MEDALIST
2022
•BLACK BELT IBJJF NEW HAVEN OPEN
OPEN CLASS GOLD MEDALIST
•BLACK BELT IBJJF NEW HAVEN OPEN
GOLD MEDALIST
•FIGHT 2 WIN 214 NEWARK NEW JERSEY SUPERFIGHT CHAMPION
•BLACK BELT IBJJF CHARLOTTE INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
GOLD MEDALIST
•BLACK BELT IBJJF ATLANTA INTERNATIONAL OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP
GOLD MEDALIST
•BLACK BELT IBJJF INDIANAPOLIS INTERNATIONAL OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP
GOLD MEDALIST
•BLACK BELT IBJJF BOISE INTERNATIONAL OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP
GOLD MEDALIST
•BLACK BELT IBJJF PANS CHAMPIONSHIP
SILVER MEDALIST
2021
•BLACK BELT IBJJF MASTERS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
SILVER MEDALIST
2013
•BLACK BELT IBJJF NEW YORK SUMMER INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
SILVER MEDALIST
•PRIDE BJJ CHAMPIONSHIP
GOLD MEDALIST
2011
•BLACK BELT IBJJF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
BRONZE MEDALIST
•BLACK BELT IBJJF MIAMI INTERNATIONAL OPEN
SILVER MEDALIST
•BLACK BELT LONG ISLAND PRIDE CHAMPIONSHIP
OPEN WEIGHT SUPER-FIGHT
SILVER MEDALIST
•BLACK BELT IBJJF MONTREAL INTERNATIONAL OPEN
GOLD MEDALIST
•BLACK BELT IBJJF MONTREAL INTERNATIONAL OPEN - ABSOLUTE
BRONZE MEDALIST
•BLACK BELT IBJJF BOSTON
INTERNATIONAL OPEN
BRONZE MEDALIST
•BLACK BELT LONG ISLAND PRIDE CHAMPIONSHIP
GOLD MEDALIST
•BLACK BELT IBJJF NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL OPEN
SILVER MEDALIST
2010
•ADCC TRIALS NO-GI ADVANCED
BRONZE MEDALIST
•BLACK BELT IBJJF NO-GI WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
GOLD MEDALIST
•BLACK BELT IBJJF NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL OPEN
SILVER MEDALIST
•BLACK BELT IBJJF EUROPEAN OPEN
GOLD MEDALIST
2009
•BLACK BELT IBJJF NO-GI WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
GOLD MEDALIST
•BLACK BELT IBJJF NO-GI PAN AMERICAN
SILVER MEDALIST
•BLACK BELT SUBMISSION SHOOTOUT
LIGHT FEATHERWEIGHT NO - GI
GOLD MEDALIST
•BLACK BELT SUBMISSION SHOOTOUT
LIGHT FEATHERWEIGHT NO - GI
GOLD MEDALIST
•ULTIMATE GRAPPLING CHALLENGE
BLACK BELT SUPER-FIGHT
SILVER MEDALIST
•ULTIMATE GRAPPLING CHALLENGE
BLACK BELT SUPER FIGHT NO-GI
GOLD MEDALIST
•BLACK BELT SUBMISSION SHOOTOUT NO - GI
LIGHT FEATHERWEIGHT GOLD MEDALIST
2008
•LONG ISLAND PRIDE
SILVER MEDALIST
•ULTIMATE GRAPPLING CHALLENGE
GOLD MEDALIST
•NEW JERSEY STATE BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU TOURNAMENT
GOLD MEDALIST
•BATTLE AT THE BATTLESHIP
GOLD MEDALIST
•ULTIMATE GRAPPLING CHALLENGE
SUPER FIGHT
GOLD MEDALIST
2007
•ULTIMATE GRAPPLING CHALLENGE
SILVER MEDALIST
•GRAPPLERS QUEST
SILVER MEDALIST
•ALLIED BJJ OPEN
SILVER MEDALIST
•LONG ISLAND PRIDE
SILVER MEDALIST
•ULTIMATE GRAPPLING CHALLENGE
NO - GI OPEN CLASS SUPER FIGHT
GOLD MEDALIST
•GRAPPLERS QUEST "BEAST OF THE EAST"
GOLD MEDALIST
2006
•PENNSYLVANIA STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS - OPEN WEIGHT
GOLD MEDALIST
•PENNSYLVANIA STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS - SUPERFIGHT
GOLD MEDALIST
•NEW YORK STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS - OPEN WEIGHT
GOLD MEDALIST
•NEW YORK STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS - SUPERFIGHT
GOLD MEDALIST
•PENNSYLVANIA STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS -BLACK BELT SUPER-FIGHT
SILVER MEDALIST
•NEW YORK STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS - SUPERFIGHT
GOLD MEDALIST
•NEW YORK STATE NO-GI
GOLD MEDALIST
•NEW YORK STATE MASTERS NO-GI
GOLD MEDALIST
2005
•GRAPPLERS QUEST
BRONZE MEDALIST
•NAGA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
GOLD MEDALIST
•NEW YORK STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
GOLD MEDALIST
•GRAPPLERS QUEST
GOLD MEDALIST
•GRAPPLERS QUEST
GOLD MEDALIST
•NEW YORK STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS- FEATHERWEIGHT
GOLD MEDALIST
•NEW YORK STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS- LIGHTWEIGHT
GOLD MEDALIST
2004
•NAGA BATTLE OF THE BEACH
GOLD MEDALIST
•NEW YORK STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
GOLD MEDALIST
•GRAPPLERS QUEST
GOLD MEDALIST
•NAGA
