Edwin “Junny” Ocasio

Edwin "Junny" Ocasio was born on January 23, 1989, in the Bronx, New York. His childhood was marked by severe abuse at home, resulting in behavioral challenges and academic disengagement. At age 15, after relocating to East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, Junny discovered wrestling, providing him a constructive outlet to channel his frustrations. However, at 16, an ACL injury temporarily halted his wrestling aspirations. Demonstrating exceptional resilience, Ocasio dedicated several years to rehabilitation before transitioning to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in his early 20s—a pivotal turning point that reshaped his life's trajectory.

Junny Ocasio first encountered Murilo Santana around 2013 while training at Ronin Athletics. When Santana established Unity Jiu-Jitsu in 2015, Junny became the academy's inaugural student and a cornerstone of its competitive team. Under Santana's mentorship, Ocasio rapidly progressed, earning his brown belt in 2017 and subsequently his black belt on August 3, 2019—becoming Santana's first home-grown black belt. His unwavering loyalty and consistent competitive success have positioned him as a prominent representative of Unity's acclaimed competition squad.

Widely recognized for his aggressive, submission-focused style, Junny Ocasio is particularly celebrated for his mastery of leg locks. His signature submission, the inside heel hook, has earned him numerous victories. Additionally, Ocasio was among the earliest competitors to successfully implement the modern "Z-Lock"—a cross-body ankle lock variation—in elite competition. Approximately half of his competitive wins have come by submission, highlighting his proficiency in diverse lower-body attacks, including heel hooks, toe holds, and the Aoki lock.

Before his notable IBJJF accomplishments, Junny Ocasio established himself on the professional no-gi circuit. He notably secured second place at Kasai Pro 6 (2019), competing in a highly competitive bantamweight bracket. Ocasio has also faced elite athletes in high-profile superfights, including an intense, fast-paced match against Mikey Musumeci at Who's Number One (2021). His submission victories over distinguished opponents such as UFC veteran Wilson Reis at Fight 2 Win and IBJJF medalist Hiago Gama at the 2023 IBJJF Pan Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi Championship underscore his versatility and threat across various professional rulesets.

In 2023, Junny Ocasio achieved a historic milestone by capturing gold medals at the 2023 IBJJF European Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi Championship, 2023 IBJJF Pan Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi Championship, and 2023 IBJJF World Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi Championship in the black belt light-featherweight division. He became the first American male in his weight class to accomplish this remarkable trifecta, consistently dominating opponents with decisive victories and frequent submissions. This landmark achievement solidified Ocasio's status as one of the world's elite pound-for-pound no-gi grapplers.

Junny Ocasio's competition style is defined by relentless aggression, technical precision, and an unwavering pursuit of submissions—particularly leg attacks. Notable victories include impressive performances against accomplished competitors such as Lucas Pinheiro, Frank Cespedes, Tadiyah Danforth, David Terao, and Hiago Gama. Leading into the 2022 No-Gi Worlds, Ocasio compiled an impressive 13-2 no-gi record, securing eight submission victories. His consistent high-level performances, including bronze medals at the 2019 IBJJF World Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi Championship and 2021 IBJJF World Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi Championship, have firmly established him as a formidable competitor on the international stage.

Beyond his competitive accolades, Junny Ocasio has embraced a pivotal leadership role at Unity Jiu-Jitsu in Manhattan, New York. He regularly instructs classes, including early morning (7am) sessions and weekly evening classes, mentoring and guiding aspiring competitors. Balancing coaching responsibilities with his rigorous personal training regimen, Ocasio exemplifies a strong work ethic and serves as an inspirational figure. His transformative journey—from a troubled youth to a respected black belt world champion and influential coach—continues to inspire many within the New York grappling community.