Recap of an EPIC Black Belt Ceremony at Downtown Jiu Jitsu Club!

Last Saturday was a memorable day at Downtown Jiu Jitsu Club Chicago to say the least, as the academy had the distinct honor of welcoming Red Belt Grandmaster Carley Gracie and his son, World Champion Clark Gracie, for a special visit. The Gracie legends traveled to Chicago to connect with their longtime student and Gracie Allegiance representative, Adem Redzovic.

During their visit, Grandmaster Carley and Clark Gracie led a remarkable seminar, imparting their extensive knowledge and experience to the eager students. Following the seminar, they presided over a historic black belt promotion ceremony. Nine of Adem Redzovic’s dedicated students were promoted to the rank of black belt—a testament to their unwavering commitment and perseverance in mastering the art of Gracie Jiu Jitsu.

One of the highlights of the event was Clark Gracie’s own promotion to 4th Degree Black Belt at our Club, awarded by his father, Carley Gracie. This milestone celebrates Clark’s extraordinary contributions to the art & the enduring legacy of the Gracie family in the martial arts world.

The Downtown Jiu Jitsu Club is proud to be a part of this legacy, nurturing the growth and development of Gracie Jiu Jitsu in Chicago. The event was a true celebration of dedication, community, and the timeless values that the Gracie family has upheld for generations.

The ceremony drew Gracie Allegiance teammates and school owners from across the nation, including representatives from Georgia [Amir Dadovic], Texas [Trey Reyes], California [Veronica Mayorga], Ohio [ Jason Cable] , and Indiana [Momentum BJJ Team], as well as local affiliated schools such as Top Level MMA, Freeport Martial Arts, All Star Jiu Jitsu, Northbrook Jiu Jitsu, Southside Jiu Jitsu Club, and Stronghold Jiu Jitsu. It was a truly unforgettable event. We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who attended for their support and participation.

We would like to extend our warmest congratulations to Adem Redzovic's students on their promotions:

• Dion Asimi - Purple Belt

• Anthony Aaron - Brown Belt

• Lawrence Benito - Black Belt

• Romas Pencyla - Black Belt

• Michael Whalon - Black Belt

• Lee Souter - Black Belt

• Joe Guinta - Black Belt

• John Garvens - Black Belt

• Juan Carlos Garcia Carrera - Black Belt

• Francisco Juarez - Black Belt

• Jordan Huston - Black Belt

• Konrad Stepniak - 1st Degree Black Belt

• Leon Ambubuyog - 1st Degree Black Belt

• Bernadette Ambubuyog - 1st Degree Black Belt

• Junghun Choi - 1st Degree Black Belt

• Veronica Mayorga - 2nd Degree Black Belt

• Haris Usanovic - 3rd Degree Black Belt

• Clark Gracie - 4th Degree Black Belt

We are incredibly proud of everyone’s hard work and dedication, and we look forward to continuing to support the growth and development of our Gracie Jiu Jitsu community.