Professor Binish Sukhija

BJJ BLACK BELT

Founder & Head Instructor, Knots & Collar
Nearly 17 years in martial arts

De La Riva lineage — promoted by Prof. Waqar Ahmad Book a free trial

17yrs
Martial arts experience
2021
Knots & Collar founded
3+
Ages we teach, from 3 to adults

Knots and Collar BJJ community group photo at Defence Colony studio New Delhi

LINEAGE

The De La Riva line

Your black belt traces directly back to Grandmaster Ricardo de la Riva — one of the most influential figures in the history of BJJ, whose guard system changed how the entire sport is played.

GM Ricardode la Riva
BJJ Grandmaster
Prof. Waqar Ahmad
Black belt
Prof. Binish Sukhija
Black belt · Oct 2025

THE JOURNEY

From Parks to Black Belt

Early Days

Parks & pavement

Karate and Muay Thai in public parks — no mats, no structure. Working takedowns and armbars on open ground.

Transition

Falling in love with grappling

Started searching for something to counter BJJ. Ended up pursuing it instead. Added Wing Chun, Filipino Kali, and freestyle wrestling along the way.

2020

Covid & the idea of K&C

Working multiple jobs while teaching himself to build a website, design a logo, and create merchandise from scratch.

Oct 31, 2021

Knots & Collar opens

Defence Colony, second floor. After months of searching for the right space, the doors open to the public.

Oct 25, 2025

Black belt — KC Manthan, Mukteshwar

Promoted by Professor Waqar Ahmad at India's first Knots & Collar Jiu-Jitsu retreat in Uttarakhand.

PHILOSOPHY

"Kindness over toughness."

The life lesson Professor Binish passes to every student and the next generation.

Real strength doesn't come from aggression. It comes from the discipline to show up consistently, the humility to be tapped out hundreds of times on the way to getting better, and the compassion to genuinely care for the people you train with.