Sam ‘Big Chocolate’ McCoy is a MMA and BJJ fighter from American Top Team in Florida. He recently moved to the United Arab Emirates to further his career. He is teaching BJJ there as part of Sheik Mohamed’s plan to spread Jiu-Jitsu to the people of UAE by instauring BJJ in schools. At the same time, Sam gets to train with some of the best black belts in the world and further his MMA and BJJ training. In this interview with BJJ Eastern Europe, Sam McCoy tells us about his Jiu-Jitsu and life story and about the diffrence between fighting in MMA nd competing in BJJ:
Sam, can you please introduce yourself to the BJJ Community of Eastern Europe?
Hello Eastern Europe!!!! My name is Samuel Franklin McCoy Jr. I’m 32 years old and was awarded my BJJ black belt by Professor Marcel Ferreira in 2010.
I’m originally from the US, born and raised in Hollywood Fl./ Miami respectively. I was a police officer for over 9 years. I train with American Top Team and have been with them since 2003
I am currently 4 and 1 in MMA, with my only loss coming in my last fight in Bellator.
I have been blessed in BJJ. These are a few of my accomplishments:
MMA Record: 4-1: 1 Decision- Absolute Fighting Championship 18/ 1 Submission-Raging Wolf 3/ 1 Submission- Unconquered Lone loss in Bellator 2012
BJJ Record: 10 x NAGA Champion, 1 x NAGAAbsolute Champion, Silver Medal 2008 World BJJ Championships, Bronze Medal 2008 Pan American Championships, Warrior’s Collide 3Super-fight Champion, Florida Grappling League Advanced Champion, MultipleVenezuelan BJJ Champion, World Professional BJJ Cup Abu Dhabi USA Trials Qualifier 2010, World Professional BJJ Cup Abu Dhabi Competitor 2010 and various other BJJ Titles.
Sam on the left
You played football in college right? What made you switch to BJJ and MMA?
I started BJJ after my college American football career ended. I played under Coach Schnellenberger at Florida Atlantic University. After my football career, I wanted to stay in shape so I started boxing. One of my good friends , Rodney Brewer, introduced me to BJJ while I was working as a bouncer in a night club. He put this guy to sleep in seconds who was causing trouble in the club. I was hooked!!! Shortly after, I joined American Top Team and the rest, as they say, is history.
You are currently living in the UAE. Please tell us more about MMA/ BJJ activities there.
I work for Palm Sports here in the UAE. I get to teach young children and adolescence the gentle art of BJJ, the art that changed my life. I also have the opportunity to train and compete alongside the best black belts in the world. I owe my life to Palm Sports and Sheik Mohammad.
Sam (grey gi) with some of his team mates in the UAE
You also fight in MMA. How different is the adrenaline rush between fighting a mma match and a BJJ superfight or high level competition?
To be completely honest, I get more nervous before a BJJ competition or Superfight than an MMA match. I get sick before every BJJ or grappling fight. Man, I mean sick!!!! I throw up before every match. In
MMA don’t get as nervous because I feel like im there to represent BJJ. I feel like I’m not a jack of all trades in the cage. I will win with my Jiu Jitsu!!!! Period!!!! Sorry, Im Old school man lol.
I don’t look at MMA or BJJ and grappling as a fight as much as I look at is as a competition. I try to show what I learned from my Professor. Look, I grew up rough!! I’ve had to fight my whole life. Society has counted me out more times than I can count. But BJJ has never let me down. So to repay BJJ, I show it respect by competing, not brawling.
Sam competing in the UAE
Please tell us about your BJJ academy. What do you differently than other academies? (tell us about your teaching style)
Before coming to the UAE, I taught at American Top Team Deerfield Beach with Professor Rafael Rebello and Marcel Ferreira and then Boca Kickboxing. I cater to the working class person. The person who wants to compete and train and not get hurt. That’s my style of teaching and competing. To bring the gentle back to the gentle art. You see, I got into MMA after a bad breakup. I went into it violently and quickly learned that violent was not always the way to be effective.
What is next for you and your team in 2013/2014?
My plans for 2013 and 2014 are to continue to compete and learn with these wonderful people in the UAE and to have one or two more MMA fights. I’m going to learn everything I can to fix as many of my mistakes that I can. I will do this because my BJJ and grappling journey in competition will not end until I win a World Title!!! I keep knocking at the door. 2nd here, 3rd there but no title yet. I’ll chase it until I can no longer walk.
If you want to thank somebody or sponsors, feel free
I would like to thank God, Palm Sports and Sheik Mohammad, American Top Team, Institute of Human Performance, Marcel Ferreira, Rafael Rebello, Jonatas Gurgel, Felipe Amarante, Jeff, Boca Kickboxing, Liborio and Conan, JC Santana and Dan Lambert, my new Al Ain team, Jawwz, Ground Control Gis, you and my best friend in the world my momma Ruby McCoy. Love you momma!!!
Lastly, don’t let anyone ever crush your dreams or make you feel inferior. I am a testament to this. You can and will succeed!!! Follow your dreams and your hearts. Follow Jiu Jitsu!!!!! Osu!!!
