Samy Al Jamal was born on May 25, 1966, in Brazil, and spent his formative years in Rio de Janeiro, where the city's energy and culture shaped his early development. His martial arts journey began at age 12 with Shotokan Karate, a discipline in which he earned a black belt, before expanding into Wing Chun at brown belt level and Judo, where he again reached black belt. This multi-disciplinary foundation gave Al Jamal a well-rounded command of both striking and grappling systems, one that would later define his coaching philosophy.
Following a period of study in the United States, Al Jamal returned to Brazil and discovered Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He began training under Fabricio Martins, who guided him through every stage of his progression on the mats. In 1999, Fabricio Martins awarded Al Jamal his black belt, completing a transition from the striking arts into the world of submission grappling. Shortly thereafter, his family relocated to Jordan — a move that became the defining catalyst for the next chapter of his life, redirecting his focus from personal athletic development toward a broader mission of establishing BJJ and MMA in the Middle East.