Marcelo Cohen

Marcelo Cohen was born on December 12, 1983, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. His path to Brazilian jiu-jitsu ran through judo, which he began at age 9. That early grounding sharpened the instincts that define elite grapplers — balance, timing, and body control — building a physical vocabulary he would carry throughout his martial arts career. By his mid-teens, he made the transition to Brazilian jiu-jitsu, stepping onto the mats at the legendary Carlson Gracie Academy headquarters in Rio de Janeiro.

Training within the Carlson Gracie Academy immersed Cohen in one of the sport's most storied lineages — a culture built on toughness, technical precision, and an uncompromising competitive spirit. Under the guidance of Marcelo Saporito, Cohen developed from a determined young grappler into a skilled black belt practitioner, laying the groundwork for a career defined by consistency and growth.

In 2004, Marcelo Cohen relocated to Jupiter, Florida, where he continued his development at The Armory. Training alongside combat sports figures such as Kurt Pellegrino and Eduardo Guedes, Cohen sharpened his game in a high-level competitive environment that echoed the demanding standards of his years at the Carlson Gracie Academy.

Despite the distance from Rio de Janeiro, Cohen maintained an active coaching relationship with Marcelo Saporito. That bond culminated in a milestone moment: on his 29th birthday in December 2012, Saporito promoted Cohen to black belt — a promotion that carried deep personal significance given the depth of their coach-student relationship.

Head Coach and Community Builder

Cohen's role at The Armory continued to evolve after his promotion. He rose to head coach, taking on the responsibility of transmitting the technical knowledge and competitive mindset accumulated over more than two decades on the mats. His work as an instructor earned broader recognition in 2015, when Jiu-Jitsu Magazine highlighted his contributions to the sport, acknowledging both the quality and the impact of his coaching.

Marcelo Cohen competes in the Galo (Rooster) weight division at 57.5 kg / 127 lbs, representing the United States on the international stage. His black belt record reflects sustained excellence across multiple competitive formats, with a particular dominance in no-gi competition at the master level.

IBJJF No-Gi and National Titles

Cohen announced himself at the top of the IBJJF no-gi circuit with a gold medal at the IBJJF No-Gi Pans Championship in 2016 — a title he reclaimed in 2019, proving his performance was built on consistency rather than circumstance. Between those two Pans victories, he captured gold at the IBJJF No-Gi American Nationals in 2017, reinforcing his standing at the national level. His victory at the 2018 ADCC Florida Tournament further demonstrated his adaptability across different rulesets, extending his competitive reach well beyond the IBJJF framework.

Regional Dominance and Longevity

On the regional IBJJF circuit, Cohen compiled a string of titles that underscored his command of the Galo division. He took gold at the IBJJF Atlanta Winter Open in both 2016 and 2018, added the IBJJF Atlanta Summer Open title in 2017, and claimed the IBJJF Miami Winter Open in 2019. His earliest black belt title — a Master 1 gold at the IBJJF Miami Open in 2015 — marked the start of a sustained pattern of podium finishes that validated his standing as one of the more decorated competitors in his weight class and age bracket.