Professor Head Instructor IDRIZ REDZOVIC

Idriz Redzovic is a Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu 4th degree black belt, coach, mentor, and community leader known for his lifelong dedication to martial arts and his mission to help others become better versions of themselves. Born in Bosnia, he became the first Bosnian-born Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, marking an important milestone for the Bosnian martial arts community.

Early Life 

Idriz Redzovic was born in Bosnia and later grew up in Chicago, Illinois. His early life was shaped by adversity and resilience. When he was just seven years old, he lost his father, a moment that forced him to mature quickly.

Growing up on the streets of Chicago, Idriz faced many of the challenges that come with inner-city life. Instead of turning to gangs, he chose sports as a positive outlet. Athletics helped him develop discipline and direction, and his talent eventually earned him college football scholarship opportunities. Despite this, he chose to stay in Chicago and continue pursuing a path that had already begun shaping his life — Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Beginning His Jiu-Jitsu Journey

Idriz began training Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 2000 at the age of 15. What started as a passion quickly became a lifelong mission. Over the next decade, he competed across the United States, gaining valuable experience and sharpening his skills against top competitors.

His dedication to the art also led him to teaching early on. By 2002, Idriz was already instructing students, beginning with kids’ classes and helping introduce young athletes to the discipline and life lessons of Jiu-Jitsu.

He eventually earned his Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under his cousin Eddie Redzovic, whose lineage traces directly to the son of the founder of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, placing him within one of the most respected lineages in the martial arts world.

Throughout his career, Idriz traveled extensively to train with and take private lessons from some of the greatest Jiu-Jitsu champions in the world.

 

Coaching and Teaching

Over the years, Idriz Redzovic has built a reputation as a dedicated instructor and mentor.

He has:

• Competed across the United States for more than 10 years

• Coached professional fighters competing in the UFC, including cornering athletes on live television

• Taught Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu seminars across the United States

• Traveled to Bosnia to teach and share the art in his homeland

• Trained law enforcement officers, athletes, and actors

 

As a coach, Idriz teaches students of all ages, from young children to seniors. His youngest students begin training at four years old, while his oldest student has trained into their 70s, demonstrating that Jiu-Jitsu truly is a lifelong art.

 

Becoming a father of six children has also helped shape the way Idriz teaches. Having kids of his own gave him a deeper understanding of how to connect with young students, helping him become an even better instructor for children. His kids’ classes focus not only on technique, but also on building confidence, discipline, respect, and character.

 

For Idriz, Jiu-Jitsu is much more than a martial art — it is a tool for personal growth, humility, and self-control. Community Impact and Media Recognition

Beyond the mats, Idriz Redzovic has become widely recognized for his actions in helping others and standing up for his community.

He first gained worldwide attention after intervening during a violent incident at a 7-Eleven when a criminal punched a store clerk. Idriz stepped in, used his grappling skills to control the attacker, and held him down until police arrived. During the altercation, he even pulled out his cell phone and recorded the entire incident while restraining the attacker, a moment that quickly went viral online.

 

In the video, Idriz demonstrated not only the effectiveness of Jiu-Jitsu but also empathy and restraint. Rather than harming the attacker, he calmly immobilized him using a grappling control commonly known as a “gift wrap.” Afterward, he jokingly described the moment by saying he “flattened him like a pancake and then tied him up like a pretzel” until the police arrived.

 

The video spread rapidly across social media and news outlets, accumulating hundreds of millions of views worldwide.

 

To this day, Idriz continues to receive messages from people around the world who say they started training Jiu-Jitsu after watching that video, inspired by the calm control and discipline he demonstrated.

 

He was also featured in Chicago news for helping the family of a fallen Chicago firefighter who lost his life fighting a fire next door to Idriz’s martial arts academy. Idriz stepped in to help raise money to support the firefighter’s wife with during that difficult time. In 2019, Idriz also made headlines after catching a car burglar right by the school.
 

Because of his actions and positive influence, Idriz has appeared on dozens of television news stations such as CBS, NBC, WGN, ABC, National TV Saturday morning main spot on Fox and Friends. Most viewed YouTube video for Fox Chicago is Idriz Redzovic. He has been featured on a couple TV-Shows on Netflix. Idriz has been radio shows, podcasts, and media outlets nationwide. Former FBI Director Dan Bongino did an entire podcast talking about what Professor Idriz Redzovic did at 7-11 in Chicago calling it the best thing he has seen.
 

His courage and leadership have also earned him recognition from the Mayor of Chicago coming to meet him. 

In recognition of his bravery and impact, WWE honored him as a hometown hero at the United Center in Chicago. The organization also produced a special video feature telling his story and highlighting his actions and impact on the community.

Learning From the “Sweat Family”

One of the unique aspects of Idriz Redzovic’s journey is the way his academy became a place of learning far beyond martial arts.

 

Because he lost his father at a young age, many of the life lessons that shaped him came from the people he met on the mats. After classes ended, students and teammates would often stay and talk. Those conversations became an unexpected source of mentorship.

 

Through Jiu-Jitsu, Idriz found himself surrounded by people from all walks of life — doctors, lawyers, plumbers, financial advisors, school teachers, entrepreneurs, and professionals. In a single day, he might train and speak with people from many different industries.

 

When he was younger, he would ask questions and seek advice from those around him. Some of these individuals were highly educated, while others had built successful businesses and careers. By listening, asking questions, and learning from their experiences, Idriz absorbed valuable knowledge about life, work, and leadership.

 

Even today, Idriz continues learning from the same people he teaches how to fight. While he shares his knowledge of Jiu-Jitsu with them, they often share their knowledge with him about other areas of life — from business and finance to education and personal growth.

 

In many ways, the academy has become a place where everyone teaches and everyone learns.

Family and Personal Life

Outside the academy, Idriz is a father of six children. He often refers to his students and teammates as his “sweat family,” emphasizing the strong bonds built through training together.

 

For many students, the academy becomes more than just a place to train — it becomes a second home.

 

Philosophy and Mission

At the heart of Idriz Redzovic’s life is a simple mission:

 

To help others become a better version of themselves through the art of Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Two sayings he often shares with his students reflect this philosophy:

“The best among you are those who have the best manners and character.”

and

“The strong man is not the one who can wrestle others; rather, the strong man is the one who controls himself in a fit of rage.”

 

Through decades of dedication to Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Idriz Redzovic has built a legacy as a martial artist, mentor, teacher, and community leader whose influence reaches far beyond the mats.