# Bill Cooper ("The Grill")

> United States

## Overview

**Name:** Bill Cooper

**Nickname:** The Grill

**Nationality:** United States

**Gender:** Male


## Bio

A prodigy from Paragon BJJ under Ricardo Franjinha, Bill Cooper earned his black belt at age 20 after a dominant 2007 Pan American title run where he submitted every opponent in the brown belt division. That same year he reached the absolute final at the Mundial but was famously disqualified against Otavio Souza for not wearing underwear, a bizarre footnote in a major tournament. Jeff Glover, his Paragon stablemate, noted that Cooper’s natural talent was so sharp that within three years of training, Glover was fighting to avoid being submitted. Cooper also ventured into MMA in 2008, winning his debut by rear-naked choke in under a minute.

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**Last Updated:** September 05, 2026

**Data Source:** bjj.space (https://bjj.space/people/bill-cooper)