Rubens “Cobrinha” Charles on Jalen “The Future” Fonacier | IBJJF Talks

In this episode of IBJJF Talks, Hall of Famer Rubens “Cobrinha” Charles opens up about coaching one of Jiu-Jitsu’s brightest rising stars — Jalen “The Future” Fonacier — to his first IBJJF World Championship at just 19 years old. Cobrinha shares rare insight into Jalen’s journey from kid competitor to black belt champion, his unmatched discipline, and how he’s redefining what it means to be a modern athlete — balancing academics and elite performance at the same time. Watch as Cobrinha discusses: -Jalen’s training camp and mindset leading up to Worlds -How he “broke the rule” by proving you can succeed in both school and Jiu-Jitsu -What sets Jalen apart as a once-in-a-generation competitor -Lessons in discipline, resilience, and leadership that Cobrinha learned throughout his own Hall of Fame career -The philosophy behind Alliance’s 15 World Team Titles and building champions for life -Jalen’s story is more than just about winning gold — it’s about focus, humility, and the mindset that defines true greatness. 📺 Watch now and hear how Rubens Cobrinha Charles is shaping the next era of Jiu-Jitsu champions.