Redouane Cherif

Redouane “Red” Cherif is one of the most exciting young grapplers in Australia, and one of the key coaches behind Academy 411’s growing reputation on the Sydney BJJ scene. Born and raised in France, Red built his grappling foundation across two disciplines — earning a brown belt in judo and a purple belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu — before making the decision to relocate to Sydney and pursue a professional career in BJJ competition and coaching at Academy 411 in Rosebery.

That decision speaks for itself. Red did not come to Australia for a holiday. He came to compete at the highest level and to build something long-term at one of Sydney’s most respected BJJ academies.

Competition Credentials

Red is widely regarded as one of the best up-and-coming no-gi BJJ grapplers to come out of France. He finished third at the IBJJF European Championship — one of the most competitive BJJ tournaments on the planet — and has backed that up with multiple superfight victories since arriving in Sydney, including wins in professional promotion bouts.

His judo background gives him a genuine edge in the standing game. Where many BJJ competitors struggle with grip fighting and kuzushi, Red is completely at home in the clinch. Combined with his no-gi grappling ability, this makes him a uniquely well-rounded competitor and an invaluable coach for anyone training BJJ in Sydney who wants to improve every phase of their game.

What Red Teaches at Academy 411

Red coaches adult BJJ classes, kids BJJ classes, and fills in for wrestling instruction when Coach Jakub is unavailable. His teaching style is direct and technical — he identifies problems quickly and gives students the specific adjustments they need to improve, rather than generic advice.

For students training no-gi BJJ in Sydney, having access to a coach who is actively competing at an elite level is rare. Red is not teaching from memory — he is teaching from what is working right now, in current competition, against the best grapplers in the country.

Life Outside the Mat

Outside of training, Red is into photography, enjoys spending time with friends, and gets around Sydney on his scooter. He has built strong relationships across the entire Academy 411 community — from beginners stepping onto the BJJ mat for the first time to seasoned competitors preparing for nationals.

If you are serious about no-gi BJJ or want to train at a gym where the coaches compete at the highest level, Red’s classes in Sydney are not ones to miss.