Jozef Chen is one of the fastest-rising stars in submission grappling. Born in Taipei and raised across several countries in Asia, Chen has become known for his calm, analytical approach and exceptional technical depth despite beginning Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu later than many of his peers.
After joining B-Team Jiu Jitsu, his rapid development caught the attention of the grappling world. Within just a few years of training, he earned podium finishes at ADCC Trials before breaking through as one of the sport’s premier young competitors.
Career Highlights
- ADCC European Trials Champion (2023)
- ADCC Asia & Oceania Trials Champion (2025), earning his second ADCC Trials title in a higher weight class
- FloGrappling Breakthrough Athlete of the Year (2023)
- Competed against elite opposition in ONE Championship, making his promotional debut against Tye Ruotolo.
- Multiple victories over established black belt competitors on the professional circuit
Grappling Style
Jozef’s game is built on precision rather than explosiveness. He rarely rushes exchanges, preferring to methodically create openings before advancing position.
Guard Passing
One of his greatest strengths is his chest-to-chest passing system. Rather than relying on speed, Chen uses exceptional balance, pressure, and timing to dismantle even the most sophisticated guards.
Positional Control
Once he establishes top position, Chen prioritizes maintaining control before attacking submissions. His ability to anticipate scrambles allows him to stay one step ahead of his opponents.
Submission Game
Although known for positional dominance, Chen is a constant submission threat with:
- Rear Naked Chokes
- Kimuras
- Arm Triangles
- Heel Hooks
- Back attacks
His finishing style is patient and calculated, often forcing opponents into mistakes rather than chasing risky submissions.
Strengths
- Elite guard passing
- Outstanding positional awareness
- High-level scramble intelligence
- Technical leg lock defense
- Calm under pressure
- Excellent tactical decision-making
Training Background
Jozef’s path into grappling is unique. Raised in cities including Taipei, Kuala Lumpur, Doha, Beijing, Guangzhou, Nanjing, and Shanghai, he was exposed to diverse cultures before discovering martial arts through Muay Thai as a teenager. He later committed fully to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and eventually joined B-Team Jiu Jitsu, where he trained alongside world-class athletes including Craig Jones and Nick Rodriguez.
His training emphasizes:
- Positional sparring
- Systematic guard passing
- Wrestling integration
- Problem-solving over athleticism
- High-volume live rounds
Competitive Identity
Unlike many young grapplers who rely on speed or explosive movement, Chen has built a reputation for mature, composed performances against elite opposition.
His approach typically follows a consistent pattern:
- Control the pace from the opening exchange
- Win positional battles through superior technique
- Pass methodically without exposing himself
- Capitalize on mistakes rather than forcing submissions
- Maintain relentless pressure until the finish
This disciplined style has earned him respect as one of the most technically refined competitors of his generation.