The grappling world is coming together in support of Ezekiel, a longtime member of New Wave Jiu-Jitsu, after news broke that he is facing a serious health battle.
Daniel “Big Dan” Manasoiu has taken the lead, launching a fundraiser to help cover medical expenses following Ezekiel’s emergency brain tumor surgery.
Ezekiel, affectionately known as “Buba” within the team, has been a cornerstone of New Wave’s ADCC training camps.
His sudden diagnosis and inability to train has hit the squad hard, prompting Manasoiu to take action.
In his announcement, Manasoiu pledged to exchange private Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu lessons for donations, encouraging the community to step up in any way they can:
Surgery number two is coming up for our friend Buba.
If you’re able, please consider donating. Any contribution will mean the world and be taken as a personal favor.
The fundraiser set a $35,000 target and has already generated over $12,100 from 140 donors – a testament to the tight-knit spirit of the BJJ community.
Manasoiu himself personally contributed $1,000.
Teammates describe Ezekiel as the type of person who “would take off the shirt he was wearing to help out his fellow man”, making the outpouring of support especially poignant.
His role in shaping New Wave’s ADCC camps has made him an important figure not just for the team, but for the broader grappling scene.
With another surgery on the horizon and medical bills piling up, the campaign is giving Ezekiel the chance to focus on his recovery rather than financial strain.
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