Cutting Edge BJJ’s Josef Manual Interview

Josef Manuel

I recently asked Professor Josef Manuel to take some time with me and tell me about his background in the sport of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). It was my first time speaking with Professor Josef and I can tell you his character is that of an outgoing and passionate individual. From his beginning to present time training, he seems to have the “secret sauce” for being a World Class Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Competitor and Instructor with over 200 students!

Professor Josef originally started out in boxing, but ran into a few “situations” that ended up in a grappling match. As a result of these incidents he decided to research BJJ. By chance he ran into a Rickson and Royler Gracie Black Belt Instructor, Professor Mario Lemos, who happened to be in the Northeast, United States where Professor Josef Manuel was living. After starting training with Instructor Mario it only took Professor Josef six months to be promoted to BJJ Blue Belt. Unfortunately, his training was cut short when Mario moved to Avon, New Jersey (South Jersey). By that time, Professor Josef was already addicted to the sport, and continued his training under another Royler Gracie Black Belt, David Adiv.

Professor Josef was researching the World Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Championship in Brazil and ordered, off of the Gracie Website, the 1999 BJJ World Championships on VHS. It was on these tapes that he saw the great Nova Uniao Competitor and Instructor Robson “Robinho” Moura. Nova Uniao leader Andre “Dede” Perdeneiras said “Robinho” is his most technical Black Belt. What Professor Josef saw astounded him! Robinho’s style was very aggressive and he was “submitting other Black Belts in his division like they were Blue Belts.”

In 2004, Professor Josef went to Rio, Brazil because one of his friends was competing in the Worlds; however, his real objective was to finally meet Master Robson “Robinho” Moura. To his disappointment, Robinho had moved to Sao Paulo a few years earlier and wasn’t in attendance.

After returning to the U.S. Professor Josef resumed his training, but started in on the challenging task of opening his own Martial Arts Academy. After investing the money and time into finding a location and getting a dojo setup he got some surprising news that some of his current team members were not keen on the idea. This unfortunately is common ground in the business aspect of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and caused him to defect from his current affiliation.
Despite the lack of a qualified instructor and team to affiliate, Professor Josef went ahead with opening the academy. It was this decision that eventually led him to his long time dream, meeting the 7-time BJJ World Champion, Robson “Robinho” Moura.

Shortly thereafter, Professor Josef and 15 of his students attended Battle at the Beach NAGA Tournament in New Jersey. Upon entering, he stood in surprise and amazement as “Robinho” watched the matches in the center of the gym. According to Professor Josef this was one of the “Most amazing things that has ever happened to me.” He had all 15 of his students stop and bow to “Robinho” as a sign of respect. He also said, “I was so star struck, just giving him praise for all that he has accomplished as a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Competitor.”
After meeting “Robinho”, Josef went to take a nap, which is a part of his routine before he competes. During his nap he realized that this was his opportunity to see about affiliating with Robson Moura Association. In a panic, he leaped up from the mat and went on the hunt to find him. Eventually Josef was able to meet with “Robinho” and showed him a presentation about his knowledge in running a Martial Arts Academy.

“Robinho” paused and told him first and foremost, ”Friendship and family, that’s what Nova Uniao is about.” Highly impressed with Professor Josef’s passion for Jiu-Jitsu, “Robinho” accepted his request and Professor Josef became his first affiliated instructor and Cutting Edge BJJ became his first affiliated academy in the U.S. Since then Professor Josef has trained, studied and traveled with Master Robson as an Instructor and competition team representative and has become his First Black Belt in the U.S. and his First American Black Belt World Champion.

Following in true Nova Uniao spirit business does not come first between the two. He described “Robinho” as being his friend, uncle, brother, dad, and coach. Professor Josef’s dream is still flourishing with his academy, Cutting Edge Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He offers BJJ self-defense programs to men, women and children with a strong focus on discipline and fitness.

Here are some questions I asked Professor Josef in an interview:

What does being a part of the Nova Uniao team mean to you?
“Nova Uniao is known for being like the “Robin Hood” of BJJ, taking a sport that was only affordable by the wealthy and providing Jiu-Jitsu instruction for the less fortunate. Which at the time was considered “going against the grain.” So what it means to me to be part of the Nova Uniao Team is that we provide this wonderful art for everyone regardless of social and financial status.”

You just recently took first place in the Black Belt – Masters – Light Feather division at the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship. What did you do to prepare for this victory?
“In 2009, I was determined to show my worth after recently being promoted to Black Belt. My dream was to compete as a Black Belt and to prepare for the World Championships I competed in as many tournaments as a Black Belt as I could. The Submission Shootout in NYC was an excellent way for me to warm up for the No-Gi Worlds. After competing in local tournaments I decided to register in the 2009 Pan Americans and I was the least favorite in the bracket to place on the podium. I plowed through the division to make it to the finals and came up short of the Gold and took a Silver Medal. That of course did not stop me, but only made my hungrier as I took the journey to California for the 2009 No-Gi World Championships and finally won the Gold Medal that I dreamed of winning since the day that I bought those VHS tapes where I first saw Robson “Robinho” Moura.

2009 Accomplishments
BLACK BELT NO – GI BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
GOLD MEDALIST

BLACK BELT NO – GI PAN AMERICAN BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU CHAMPIONSHIP
SILVER MEDALIST

SUBMISSION SHOOTOUT
ADVANCED SUPER FEATHERWEIGHT NO – GI
GOLD MEDALIST

SUBMISSION SHOOTOUT
ADVANCED SUPER 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

NYC SUBMISSION SHOOTOUT NO – GI
GOLD MEDALIST

If you were someone considering starting jiu jitsu what would you tell them?
“The first thing I would say is ‘consistency is the key’ stay consistent and don’t get discouraged. The white belt journey is a tough one but when you get passed white and make it to blue…it is so rewarding.”

What is the main focus of your school?
“The main focus at our academy is first of all to teach everyone practical self defense skills. Self defense is first and foremost. Second, is to promote a healthy life style by getting and staying in shape through training and exercising. Our motto is Health and Fitness Through Martial Arts.”

Josef and the Cutting Edge BJJ Students