# Jake Watson

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## Overview

**Name:** Jake Watson

**Date of Birth:** December 06, 1997 (age 28)


## Bio

A former Muay Thai national champion and Golden Gloves boxer, Jake Watson pivoted entirely to jiu-jitsu after burning out on multi-discipline training, a decision guided by coach André Maracaba at Arizona’s Lion’s Den Academy. Watson made an immediate mark at the 2014 IBJJF World No-Gi Championship, winning double gold in the Juvenile blue belt division as the team’s sole competitor — a feat that nonetheless placed the academy at #1 in the team rankings. Promoted to black belt on June 22, 2019, Watson built a reputation on the American grappling circuit as a relentless competitor before facing Vinicius Garcia.

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**Last Updated:** September 24, 2026

**Data Source:** bjj.space (https://bjj.space/people/jake-watson)