Professor Barry Philips started training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in 1998 with UFC founder Rorion Gracie and the 3x UFC Champion Royce Gracie. Barry has trained with technical masters, world champions, and MMA fighters including Carlson Gracie Jr, Carlos Gracie Jr, Rolles Gracie, Clark Gracie, Marico Feitosa, Rafael “Gordinho” Lima, and Roberto “Gordo” Correa.
Barry has spent much of his career training in Chicago, alongside the Redzovic brothers at their academy. The brothers, Adem and Eddie, would go on to create one of the Midwest’s first, and largest, jiu jitsu associations, with locations in Lincoln Square, Lakeview, Lincoln Park, the Loop, Niles, Orland Park, and Deerfield. In 2007, Eddie Redzovic awarded Barry his black belt, and in 2014 Barry was promoted to 2nd degree black belt by BJJ world champion Carlos Lemos. Barry is a multiple time NAGA champion and, in addition to his jiu jitsu training, trains in Judo with three time Olympian Maje Omagbaluwaje.
“I have learned from the best and trained with some of the best in the world, but the most important factor that makes me different is the fact that I am a trained teacher with 5 years of classroom and coaching experience. I understand the logical order that you need to learn Jiu Jitsu and have the skills to explain, demonstrate and inspire you to become a better person and Jiu Jitsu practitioner.”
