A second-generation Italian-American with roots tracing back to Sicily, "Jojo" Schillizzi was born in New Jersey and raised with a background in karate and taekwondo. A versatile athlete, he played seven years of semi-pro football as a safety in Boston before transitioning into the professional world. A former Master Volkswagen Technician, Jojo sold his successful business in early 2024 to pursue a fighting career—a move his family initially thought was "crazy." An introvert at heart, he is a minimalist who dedicates his time to his three children and caring for his mother.

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Schillizzi enters the ring expecting violence and relishing a brawl, utilizing a style that emphasizes constant forward and lateral pressure. His path to the BKFC wasn't easy; after struggling with addiction and mental health in the past, he successfully harnessed that "hot-headed" energy into a source of motivation. Now a speaker for mental health associations, he coaches youth football and strives to inspire others through his motto: "If you do what you have always done, you will continue to get the same results," implying making necessary changes will get lead to a better life. He made his bare-knuckle debut in early 2026 and continues to prove his doubters wrong.