Pedigo Submission Fighting (PSF) is an American Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) team and academy founded by Heath Pedigo in Mount Vernon, Illinois. The team is widely known in the modern BJJ community through its competitive success, athlete development, and the nickname “Daisy Fresh,” which comes from the former laundromat building where the academy was established.
Pedigo Submission Fighting has developed a reputation as a competition-focused team, producing successful athletes in major Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tournaments, particularly in the IBJJF and professional submission grappling circuits.
History
Pedigo Submission Fighting was founded by Heath Pedigo after he returned to his hometown of Mount Vernon, Illinois, following his training under Rodrigo Vaghi. The academy was established in a former laundromat known as Daisy Fresh, a name that remained associated with the gym and later became widely recognized within the BJJ community.
The team began as a small local academy and gradually developed into a competitive training environment. Through consistent athlete development and participation in major tournaments, PSF gained recognition as one of the notable American-based competition teams in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
The team’s rise in popularity was further increased through the documentary series coverage of Daisy Fresh, which followed the lives and training of athletes at the academy and introduced the team to a wider international audience.
Leadership
Pedigo Submission Fighting was founded and is led by:
- Heath Pedigo
Heath Pedigo is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Rodrigo Vaghi and serves as the team’s head coach. He is responsible for athlete development, technical instruction, and competition preparation within the academy.
Training Philosophy
Pedigo Submission Fighting emphasizes a competition-oriented approach to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, with a focus on developing technically skilled and adaptable athletes.
Key principles include:
- Technical improvement through consistent training.
- High-level competition preparation.
- Strong positional understanding.
- Individual athlete development.
- Team-based training and support.
The academy provides instruction in both gi and no-gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for practitioners ranging from beginners to elite competitors.
Competition Success
Pedigo Submission Fighting athletes compete in major Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and submission grappling events, including:
- IBJJF World Championship
- IBJJF Pan Championship
- IBJJF World No-Gi Championship
- ADCC Trials
- Professional submission grappling events
The team has achieved notable tournament results, including IBJJF team championship performances and individual titles from its athletes.
Notable Athletes
Over the years, Pedigo Submission Fighting has included a number of successful competitors, including:
- Andrew Wiltse
- Jacob Couch
- Jacob Bornemann
The team’s roster has changed over time as athletes have joined, departed, or continued their careers with other organizations.
Affiliates
Pedigo Submission Fighting operates primarily from its headquarters in Mount Vernon, Illinois. Unlike some larger BJJ organizations, PSF is primarily known as a competition team and athlete development program rather than a large international affiliation network.