Joe “Daddy” Stevenson oversees our Jiu Jitsu and MMA programs here at Cobra Kai Martial Arts. His wealth of knowledge and experience is what is the reason our Jiu Jitsu team program the best in the High Desert.
Joe started his martial arts training at 11 years old after a fight with a bully; he then realized he needed to learn how to defend himself so he signed up for wrestling. He soon discovered he had a natural talent for wrestling and training became a positive influence in his life. As a High School wrestler he placed at CIF both his sophomore and senior year. After High School he wrestled at Victor Valley College to become the 197lbs champion at the 2000 Southern California Community College Regionals and also placed 7th in Jr. College California State Championships
Drawn to MMA, Joe began fighting in King of the Cage and Gladiator Challenge. His wrestling and Jiu Jitsu experience gave him a distinct advantage over his opponents, allowing him to win both the 155lbs and 170lbs King of the Cage Champion Title Belt, the 170lbs Gladiator Challenge Champion Title Belt, the 170lbs Ring of Fire World Title Belt, the 155lbs Rage in the Cage World Title Belt, and most recently the 155lbs True Form World Title Belt.
It was on season 2 of The Ultimate Fighter that his journey to stardom began. Under the coaching of UFC Hall of Fame Matt Hughes, Joe defeated Luck Cummo by unanimous decision, becoming the first welterweight to win The Ultimate Fighter Tournament.
His victory on The Ultimate Fighter catapulted him into the UFC where he held a two year undefeated streak in the UFC and ranked #2 among the top in the UFC Lightweight Division.
His list of accomplishments didn’t end there. He was awarded his 2nd Degree Black Belt in Judo from Olympic Gold Medalist Dr. Ron Tripp and his Black Belt in Jiu Jitsu from Robert Drysdale. Joe Stevenson currently holds a 2nd Degree Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
Recognized as one of the best MMA coaches in the world, Joe Stevenson has also instructed every branch of the military and law enforcement including the Special Forces and the Secret Service. He also was the fight choreographer for the TV show “Kingdom” and made a guest appearance in 40 episodes. Despite all of his successes Joe says, “The greatest reward for me is when a former student comes up to me and tells me thank you for everything I taught them.”
With over 25 years in the martial arts Joe’s philosophy is simple, “Students make the mistake of thinking progress in the martial arts is 0 to 100 in a straight line, it isn’t. Your journey will consist of peaks and valleys at times even plateauing for a while. Everyone will have their own separate journey, what is important is consistency and making sure you stay on your path.”
His advice to help people stay the course, “Surround yourself with people going in the same direction you want to go.
Knowing what it is like growing up in a broken home as a youth and how difficult it is finding positive influences, Joe Stevenson decided to use his newly acquired fame and fortune to give back to his hometown community by establishing Cobra Kai Martial Arts, a place where young people and their families can learn the martial arts in a safe and friendly environment.
Today Joe Stevenson oversees the Jiu Jitsu, Grappling and MMA programs at Cobra Kai Martial Arts and coaches Jiu Jitsu and MMA at Dan Henderson’s Athletic Fitness Center.