My Martial Arts Story

Hi, I’m Dejan, and I’ve dedicated my life to martial arts, fitness, and teaching. My story began when I was just five years old, inspired by my older brother, who was my role model. He started Taekwondo first, and I followed in his footsteps in 2003. By January 2009, I had earned my black belt, solidifying my place in the sport and launching my career as a competitor.

Taekwondo

Throughout my Taekwondo journey, I pushed myself to the limits, becoming a multiple-time national champion and winning Balkan and European cups. In 2013, I proudly took home 3rd place at the European Championships in Bled—one of my proudest moments. But I was always courageous, driven to take on new challenges and test myself in different arenas. That’s when I began to dive into kickboxing.

Kickboxing

Kickboxing opened up a whole new world for me, and I excelled quickly. I won several national titles, European and World cups, and in 2016, I achieved the pinnacle of my kickboxing career—becoming Vice World Champion at the WorldChampionships in Dublin, Ireland.

Along the way, I realized that I wanted more than just success in competition. I wanted to be well-rounded, so I started boxing to improve my fluidity and learn different styles. This combination of Taekwondo, kickboxing, and boxing gave me the confidence to face any challenge head-on, both inside the ring and in life. I truly believe that boxing—and martial arts in general—teaches you discipline, resilience, and the courage to face whatever life throws your way.

In 2016, after a few injuries, I made a major shift. I decided it was time to start giving back and sharing the knowledge I had gained over the years. I became a coach, working with kids at my gym, and I’m proud to say that they went on to win national, international, and even European titles. This only fueled my passion for teaching.

But my journey didn’t stop there. I had always been curious about the science behind physical performance, so I enrolled at the Faculty of Sports to deepen my understanding. While studying, I worked in a sports center, training athletes from a variety of sports in strength and conditioning. I loved helping them become stronger, faster, and more resilient. This experience gave me a broader perspective on fitness, which I now incorporate into my training methods. Whether you’re a fighter or an athlete from any sport, I know how to build you from the ground up.

MMA

When I ventured into MMA, I aimed to bring all my stand-up knowledge to these fighters. I’ve had the privilege of training some incredible young prospects, who now compete at amateur and professional levels. One of my biggest success stories is Jakob “The Gorilla” Nedoh. I started working with Jakob two years ago, focusing on improving his kickboxing. Together, we won the European Light Heavyweight Tournament in the PFL organization, making him the first-ever European Light Heavyweight Champion—an incredible accomplishment for a fighter from Slovenia.

In my career, I’ve trained over 200 clients, helping them build strong fundamentals and develop advanced techniques with ease. Whether you’re a beginner stepping into the ring for the first time or a seasoned fighter looking to fine-tune your skills, I’m here to guide you.

Starting with boxing isn’t just about learning how to fight—it’s about gaining confidence, discipline, mental strength, and resilience. It’s about learning to take on life’s challenges head-on and never back down. Martial arts gave me the courage to constantly test my limits and become the best version of myself, and I want to help you do the same. Let’s embark on this journey together and unlock the champion within you.