Meet Tommy "Little T" Cuozzi: A Toro BJJ and Cageside Sponsored Athlete

Humor, Dedication, and Pressure: Tommy’s Take on Jiu-Jitsu and Life

Question 1

When did you start training, and what is your rank? (Bonus: What was harder—earning your rank or explaining to your non-Jiu-Jitsu friends what it means?)

• I started training in 2008 just before I turned 9 and I'm 25 now! I just received my black belt in June of 2024. Earning that was one of the hardest things I have ever done and living up to it is even harder

Question 2

What made you decide to try Jiu-Jitsu? (Be honest: Was it the allure of self-defense, the challenge, or just that it looked cool in movies?)

• Honestly, I was a boy who thought ninjas and power rangers were super cool! There was an MMA gym nearby and we decided to get started!

Question 3

Do you prefer Gi or NoGi—and why? (Follow-up: Is it really about technique, or do you just like wearing pajamas or spats?)

• Honestly, I don't discriminate! I think for the most part that Jiu-Jitsu is Jiu-Jitsu no matter what you're wearing.

Question 4

If you could get a one-hour private lesson from anyone, living or dead, who would it be and why? (Would you pick someone who’d show you cool moves, or someone you could definitely beat afterward?)

• I think I'd have to choose someone current. I think Alex Volk would be a fun one. He's one of the top guys in the league right now and he seems like a super cool guy to hang out with afterwards!

Question 5

What are your favorite three movies, and how do they inspire your training? (Are we talking epic fight scenes, underdog stories, or just movies to help you relax after rolling?)

• Honestly, I don't have favorite movies (though I do watch them). I DO, however, have a favorite book series: The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson. The stories within this series are incredibly captivating/motivating, and they are so well written.

Question 6

What’s your go-to submission, and why does it work on everyone—except your coach? (Bonus: What’s your success rate against white belts vs. blue belts?)

• I think my go-to is a basic armbar from either side control or mount. I went to a Dave Camarillo seminar a few years ago where we went over one armbar for about two hours. After that my success rate went through the roof. Now everyone in my gym knows my setup so I have to be more creative in the future! My blue belts especially are VERY familiar with it and don't tend to let me get there anymore!

Question 7

What’s the most embarrassing thing that’s ever happened to you on the mats? (Optional: Did it involve a wardrobe malfunction or someone’s knee in your face?)

• I was teaching the kid's class in a particularly old, VERY worn GI. I was going over a basic rear fall and my pants ripped when I squatted down. I had to teach the rest of the kids’ class and the one after that Sambo style with shorts.

Question 8

If you could invent a new guard or submission, what would it be called? (Is it practical, or just something you’d use to confuse your training partners?)

• I'd call my submission (if I invented one) The Barometer. I like to consider myself very pressure oriented when I roll and as you know, a barometer measures atmospheric pressure! I'd like it to be a mix of both practical and confusing... gotta keepnthe competition on their toes.

Question 9

What’s one rule in competition or training you wish you could change? (Do you dream of a world where leg reaping is always legal or where tapping doesn’t count?)

• I think there should be more leniency in the leg reaping rule. So many people are disqualified or reset due to a forced reap from the defender. I also think if you attempt to force a reap to win/get an advantage you shouldn't get a medal.

 

 

Question 10

What’s your favorite excuse for missing class (even if you don’t actually use it)?(Follow-up: Do your teammates believe you?)

• "Nah man I was here you just didn't see me"- Me to my students when I go to Gracie Burlington instead of my gym for a night

Question 11

If Jiu-Jitsu were a video game, which character would you be, and why? (Bonus: Which “special move” would you unlock?)

• I think I'd be Kirby. He just eats stuff and stays happy. Honestly, I think that’s my end goal in life. My special move (apart from Kirby's original move set) would be "Tons" of Fun in which I become 2000 lbs. on top of my opponent.

Question 12

Who on your team would you pick for a zombie apocalypse survival squad, and why? (Would it be based on fighting skill, speed, or ability to talk to zombies?)

• I think most of my team is coming out of the zombie apocalypse thriving. Some are really good combatants (way too many to name) and some are really good at avoiding coming to classes (probably good at avoiding the zombie infection too).

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Question 13

What’s the weirdest or most unexpected skill Jiu-Jitsu has helped you with outside the gym? (Have you ever shrimped out of a crowded elevator?)

• Honestly, I've never really gotten into an altercation outside of the gym or a competition setting. Jiu-Jitsu has undeniably boosted my confidence, however, and it has affected my perspective of everyday life for the better.

 Question 14

What advice would you give to someone starting Jiu-Jitsu, besides “tap early, tap often”?(Would it be motivational, or just a reminder to bring extra deodorant?)

• I have two pieces of advice for those starting out in Jiu-Jitsu.
  • One: be patient. It is a LONG journey. Don't chase belts, chase progress. Some progress faster than others but that is their journey. Not yours. Don’t base your love of the art off of trivial things. Just enjoy the journey and you'll reach your goals before you know it.
  • Two: If you smell bad, admit it. Being the stinky kid in class becomes WAY more socially acceptable when you acknowledge it. That way people recognize that you notice it and don't smell like that on the regular.... plus bringing deodorant helps too!

Tommy "Little T" Cuozzi is a dedicated MMA champion who shares his passion for martial arts with his parents, who train alongside him and play a pivotal role in his success. Together, they run Kamicuozzi MMA & Fitness in Eden, NC, a family-operated school that focuses on MMA training, fitness, and building a supportive community. The Cuozzi family’s dedication and teamwork create an inspiring environment for students of all levels, where discipline and hard work are at the core of their mission.