Ian Sanders is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt under Rodrigo Freitas, being also one of the main representatives of the Rodrigo Freitas Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (RFBJJ) team in the sport's worldwide circuit. Although already regarded as a hot prospect, Sanders' breakthrough performance took place at the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) No-Gi Pan of 2016, a tournament he won with flying colors. He would later repeat the deed (2018) further solidifying his name as one of the top American black belts of his generation.