Cole Abate - Young BJJ Black-Belt Champion

Cole Abate is a top professional black belt in jiu-jitsu. He is also the representative of the Art Of Jiu-Jitsu team. At a very young age, Cole Abate won various important titles in multiple BJJ championships.

At the age of 16, Abate gained massive recognition in the BJJ community. Abate marked history by securing victory at the ADCC East Cost Trials.

Cole Abate was born on November 16, 2004, in Beaumont, Texas, USA. Like other BJJ kids, Abate was also getting involved in jiu-jitsu from the early days of childhood. At the age of 4, Abate started practicing baseball and basketball. Although Abate was a highly passionate athlete, he felt down at the time when his teammates were not showing enough dedication and focus towards the tournaments.

Cole Abate was first introduced to jiu-jitsu at the age of 5. While exercising with his father at a local fitness gym, Abate was approached by a gentleman who was a BJJ purple belt fighter at that time. After a small talk, that fitness enthusiast started discussing the BJJ with him. After accepting the invitation, both Abate and his Father decided to take a trial class. That was the main turning point in Abate’s life when his attention diverted towards the BJJ. Abate wanted to become a pro grappler so he left his childhood sports activities and started paying attention to grappling.

Cole Abate learned various jiu-jitsu techniques under the supervision of Rodrigo Pinheiro, a competitive BJJ Black Belt. Pinheiro transformed Abate into a pro-BJJ grappler and then Abate secured victory in different divisions including Junior, Teen, and Juvenile Divisions.

Luckily, Cole Abate grabbed the attention of Jeferson Maycá, the Copa Podio BJJ show’s promoter. Copa invited Abate to an event that was organized to find the finest junior talent globally.

Cole Abate is one of those top BJJ grapplers who achieved 1st place in various tournaments. In 2021, Abate secured the victory with 1st position at the ADCC EC US Trials. Then after a year, Abate was declared the winner in the IBJJF American Nationals and  IBJJF World Championship. As a blue belt, his victory at the ADCC East Coast Trials was also the main breakthrough point in Abate’s jiu-jitsu career where he amazed people with his early fighting skills. Cole Abate greatly admired his performance at the Pans Championship as he thought he performed significantly due to his improved jiu-jitsu skills which directed him towards another level.

When Cole Abate was 14 years old, his father asked him about his training instructor's preference, and then he shared the names of two top coaches, Rafael Mendes and Guilherme. After noticing his BJJ’s interest, Cole Abate’s mother, Chimele moved to California to enroll Abate in AOJ academy. After observing the AOJ environment, Abate’s parents were highly satisfied that this institute would surely refine Abate’s BJJ skills. Then in 2017, Abate’s senior had a very significant opportunity so he moved to Costa Mesa to fulfill his dreams.

Cole Abate is a very dedicated and hard-working athlete. Once he was asked about his training routine, he said that he wakes up in the early morning around 6 am. Then he performs his training from 6 am to 7 am. After the class ends, he waits for the next class and during that period, he remains busy with his studies till 10.30. Then his class again starts at 10.30 and ends at noon. After taking training classes, he performed the sparring along with his training partner, Nikolaus Martinez.

Once he was asked about his favorite quotes he said: “Today I will do what others won't, so tomorrow I can do what others can't” from Jerry Rice. This is the mentality I try to live by with everything I do. Thinking like this will inevitably make you an outlier compared to the rest of the people who work in your craft.

On 10 July 2023, after getting repeated victories in different belt divisions, Abate was ultimately promoted to the black belt by Guilherme Mendes.

In the 2023 IBJJF Absolute Grand Prix Championship, Cole Abate faced Eduardo Granzotto. Initially, Granzotto had better control over Abate and he also attempted various choke techniques but ultimately Cole Abate won the match based on the points.

In the 2023 AIGA Championship, Cole Abate competed against Rashid Kaitmazov. Both top BJJ fighters tried hard to attempt the submission but at the end of the match, Abate applied the Inside heel hook technique and secured victory against Rashid Kaitmazov.

In the 2021 Who's Number One Championship, Cole Abate defeated the 10th Planet veteran Geo Martinez. Abate beautifully displayed his jiu-jitsu skills and was declared the winner based on the Referee's Decision.

16yr old Blue Belt defeats Black Belt 😳 Cole Abate vs. Geo Martinez

Cole Abate vs Eduardo Granzotto | 2023 IBJJF Absolute Grand Prix

The Match That Made Cole Abate A Brown Belt World Champion | Cole Abate vs Mateus Moraes

Cole Abate Dominates At Pans | Cole Abate vs Thiago Saboia 2023 IBJJF Pan Championship

Full Match: Cole Abate vs. Sathya Bird Wiltse | Who's Number One

Cole Abate vs Juninho Alvim / World Championship 2023

Cole Abate & Keith Krikorian Face Off For Trials Gold! | 2021 ADCC East Coast Trials

Photo Credit: @coleabatejj