Welcome to Ze Cobra's website!

Professor Josef “Ze Cobra" Manuel

    At the Chokelab Jiu-Jitsu Academy, everything we do is rooted in dedication, purpose, and passion. The information on this page isn’t just a resume — it’s a reflection of a lifelong commitment to helping individuals and families achieve their health, fitness, and athletic goals through the power of martial arts. When you join our academy, you become part of our extended family. Together with our dedicated staff and incredible students, I’m here to guide, support, and celebrate your journey every step of the way. Your goals become our mission — and your success is our highest reward. 

Looking forward to serving you!

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Testimonials

Michelle Ramos
Harrison, NJ
Friday, Jan 28, 2024

My 6 year old son has been training with Sensei Josef for about 7 months now and I am amazed at how much he has learned. His education extends beyond the Jiu-Jitsu training. Not only does my son learn self defense but he learns about conditioning and respect for himself and for others. Sensei is a great teacher. I plan on signing my daughter up as well when she is old enough.

George Albanese
North Arlington, NJ
Monday, Jan 31, 2024

I've been fortunate enough to know Professor Josef for 12 years now. I must say, I've never met a person in my life that's so dedicated to whatever it is that they do as he. He's always been the type of person to give 110% and I've always admired that about him. You can rest assure that when I have children, I'll be sending them his way. Not only for the top notch Jiu-Jitsu training, but to pick up all the positive qualities in life that has made Professor Josef the type of person that he is today.

Romeo Vela
Harrison, NJ
Tuesday, Feb 01, 2023

Great private lesson today thank you Sensei. We covered some fundementals and some interesting variations on them. A good teacher can get to the heart of your questions, and answer them in a manner that you not only get the information that you were seeking, but you also aquire knowledge that you didn't even know existed. Osu and thank ...you again!

Alex Britez
Kearny, NJ
Wednesday, Feb 02, 2022

I've trained in many schools before finding a home at Cutting Edge. There are no egos, great training partners, and amazing instruction. There are classes for intense training along with a great beginners program. I highly recommend Cutting Edge to anyone interested in keeping healthy, or looking to challenge themselves.

Clara Di Berardo
Kearny, NJ
Thursday, Feb 03, 2022

Sensei, the classes yesterday were insanely awesome... I loved every minute of it, as always! CLA rocks!!!

Meet Professor Josef “Ze Cobra” Manuel – Top-Rated Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Instructor in the Tri-State Area

 Looking for world-class Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu or Submission Grappling instruction near you? Professor Josef “Ze Cobra” Manuel is one of the most respected and accomplished BJJ and No-Gi athletes in the Tri-State Area, including New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. A decorated competitor with victories over multiple world-class opponents, Professor Manuel has earned top titles in many of the nation's most prestigious Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Submission Grappling tournaments. His dynamic, high-pressure style of Jiu-Jitsu has gained recognition throughout the martial arts world — from local academies to elite MMA circles. Whether you’re training for self-defense, competition, or just to get in shape, students from all over New Jersey and beyond choose Professor Josef Manuel for his proven coaching, elite-level technique, and relentless passion for the art.

What is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ)?

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a highly effective martial art and combat sport that specializes in grappling, ground fighting, and submission techniques. Its primary focus is to help practitioners control and neutralize opponents by gaining dominant positions and applying joint locks or chokeholds to force a submission. Unlike striking-based martial arts, BJJ empowers individuals of all sizes to defend themselves through leverage, technique, and strategic positioning. BJJ evolved from early 20th-century Kodokan Judo, which itself was a modern system developed in 1882 from traditional Japanese jujutsu (also known as Ryu styles). Over time, Brazilian innovators refined and expanded these techniques to create what we now recognize as modern Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Whether you're training for self-defense, competition, or personal development, BJJ offers practical skills and life-changing benefits for students of all ages and experience levels. 

In 1914, Esai Maeda, a skilled Japanese Judoka and Kodokan Judo representative, traveled to Brazil as part of a broader Japanese immigration initiative. While settling in the northern state of Pará, Maeda formed a close friendship with Gastão Gracie, a respected local businessman who assisted him in establishing himself in the country. As a gesture of gratitude, Maeda began teaching Judo (referred to at the time as Kano Jiu-Jitsu) to Gastão’s eldest son, Carlos Gracie. Carlos trained under Maeda for several years, absorbing the fundamentals of Judo and grappling. Inspired by what he learned, Carlos began teaching his younger brothers — including Hélio Gracie — setting the foundation for what would eventually evolve into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). Today, this legacy continues to grow worldwide, with BJJ recognized as one of the most effective martial arts for self-defense, sport, and mixed martial arts competition. 

At just 14 years old, Hélio Gracie, the youngest of the Gracie brothers, moved into a house in Botafogo, a borough of Rio de Janeiro, where his older brothers lived and taught Jiu-Jitsu. Due to his naturally frail physique, Hélio was advised by doctors to avoid intense physical activity. As a result, he spent years observing classes rather than participating in them, quietly memorizing the techniques taught by his brothers. At the age of 16, an unexpected opportunity changed everything. When a student arrived for a lesson and Carlos Gracie wasn’t available, Hélio offered to lead the class using the techniques he had committed to memory. The student was so impressed that he requested to continue learning from Hélio directly. From that moment, Hélio began teaching and gradually adapting the techniques to suit his own body type — emphasizing leverage, timing, and efficiency over strength. This adaptation would later become known as Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, a distinct evolution of traditional Judo designed to empower smaller individuals against larger opponents. Hélio Gracie would go on to earn a 6th dan black belt in Judo and is widely regarded as one of the founding figures of modern Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. 

Submission Grappling / No-Gi

Submission Grappling — also known as No-Gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu — is a fast-paced, submission-based sport that blends elements of wrestling, judo, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The objective is to defeat your opponent using joint locks or chokeholds, or to win by accumulating points through takedowns, positional control, and submission attempts. 

Unlike traditional Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Submission Grappling is practiced without the gi, making the matches faster and more dynamic. The absence of grips increases the demand for athleticism, speed, and strategy, while also changing the types of sweeps and submissions that can be effectively applied. 

Popular in MMA circles and grappling tournaments worldwide, No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu is a powerful training method for anyone looking to improve their self-defense, fitness, or competitive edge.