Rubens Charles

Early Life and Transition to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Rubens Charles, widely recognized as "Cobrinha," was born on December 24, 1979, in Londrina, Brazil. During his childhood, he relocated to São Carlos, initially pursuing football (soccer). His athletic journey soon shifted toward capoeira, a Brazilian martial art that significantly enhanced his physical attributes. At age 21, after a friend introduced him to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Cobrinha fully embraced grappling. He began training under Mauro Pacífico before continuing his development under the legendary Fernando Terere, who quickly recognized and cultivated his exceptional talent.

Influence of Capoeira on BJJ Style

Integration of Capoeira Movements

As a former professional capoeirista, Cobrinha consistently incorporates capoeira into his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training. He credits capoeira for significantly improving his balance, motor coordination, and flexibility—qualities that define his dynamic grappling style. In 2020, he developed "Cobrinha’s CapoFit," an online instructional program combining capoeira movements such as ginga and kicks with functional fitness exercises specifically tailored for BJJ practitioners.

Practical Application in Competition

At his academy, students regularly perform capoeira-inspired warm-ups, including cartwheels and flowing movements. Cobrinha himself frequently showcased brief capoeira routines before matches at major tournaments, notably at the 2017 ADCC World Championship, demonstrating the practical benefits of this integration.

Competition Style and Technical Approach

Dynamic and Aggressive Grappling

Cobrinha is renowned for his aggressive and dynamic approach on the mats, characterized by relentless pressure and fluid transitions. He emphasizes fundamental techniques, particularly guard retention and back attacks, which have become signature elements of his competitive style.

Longevity and Discipline

Known for exceptional longevity, Cobrinha competed at elite levels well into his early 40s. He attributes his sustained success to disciplined lifestyle choices, collectively termed the "JIU-JITSU LIFESTYLE," which includes a clean diet, daily stretching, and consistent recovery practices.

Cobrinha BJJ Academy Legacy

Establishment and Growth

In 2011, Cobrinha opened his academy in Los Angeles, quickly establishing it as a premier center for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu talent development. His detailed, fundamentals-focused instruction has produced numerous world-class competitors, most notably his son Kennedy Maciel, who secured gold at the 2019 ADCC World Championship.

Continued Influence

In 2022, the academy celebrated its 11th anniversary, with Cobrinha reflecting on the family atmosphere and the countless students who have trained under his guidance. Even at 45 years old in 2025, he actively spars with students, exemplifying the effectiveness and longevity of his training methods.

Masters Competition and Coaching Influence

Masters-Level Achievements

After stepping away from adult division competitions, Cobrinha selectively competed in Masters events. Notably, he captured the featherweight title at the 2019 IBJJF World Masters Championship at age 39, demonstrating enduring competitive prowess.

Coaching Philosophy and Style

Following this achievement, Cobrinha shifted his focus entirely to coaching, dedicating himself to mentoring Kennedy Maciel and other promising athletes. Frequently seen coaching at major tournaments, he is known for his animated and motivating presence, often heard encouraging students with his distinctive deep voice and enthusiastic calls of "Let's go!" His coaching style blends strict discipline—such as bowing on and off the mats and maintaining clean uniforms—with positive reinforcement, earning him a reputation as a father-figure within the BJJ community.

Longevity Philosophy and Fitness Innovations

"JIU-JITSU LIFESTYLE" Approach

Cobrinha's philosophy of longevity in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu revolves around disciplined lifestyle choices, including meticulous attention to diet, daily stretching routines, and dedicated recovery practices. His "JIU-JITSU LIFESTYLE" approach has inspired many masters-level athletes globally to adopt similar conditioning strategies to extend their competitive primes.

"Cobrinha’s CapoFit" and Movement Philosophy

His innovative "Cobrinha’s CapoFit" program, released in 2020, further solidified his influence, offering practitioners structured methods to enhance mobility, strength, and overall athleticism through capoeira-inspired movements. Guided by the principle "movement is life," Cobrinha promotes acrobatic and dance-like training methods to improve performance on the mats, leaving a lasting impact on the broader Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu community.