Master Self-Defense and Grappling Techniques at Providence BJJ
Marco McWilliams, founder of the newest Brazilian jiu-jitsu-centered gym in Rhode Island, aims to educate those interested in learning self-defense or adding another martial art to their belt.
Marco McWilliams encourages all ages and genders at Providence BJJ to learn more about the art of jiu-jitsu. Photography by Aiyah Josiah-Faeduwor.
For Providence BJJ owner Marco McWilliams, his fascination with Brazilian jiu-jitsu began in the Mississippi Delta. From a young age, he watched VHS tapes of UFC and MMA fighter Royce Gracie. The selling point for him was watching Gracie take down men that were double his size with different martial arts disciplines. It clicked for McWilliams that he wanted to pursue Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
“I wanted to train in martial arts since I was a child. I never fully put that dream down,” McWilliams says. “Brazilian jiu-jitsu created a pathway for the dream to live again.”
His mother getting remarried later led to McWilliams moving to Rhode Island, since his step father worked as a Rhode Island College professor. As a college student trying to figure out what his next steps were in life, the CCRI (then Rhode Island College and Brown University) grad decided to take on this form of martial arts he’s been passionate about for almost all his life. There weren’t any Brazilian jiu-jitsu gyms in Rhode Island at the time, but this didn’t deter him from pursuing his dream.
“When I first started, we were more of a fight club, a collection of guys that wanted to learn more about jiu-jitsu,” McWilliams says. “We’d go up to a school in Boston, train in a black belt-run jiu-jitsu gym on the weekends and learn a couple of techniques. Then we’d come back to Providence during the week. That’s when my jiu-jitsu story officially began.”
McWilliams went on to train under Tim Burrill, who opened the first Brazilian jiu-jitsu gym in the state. Now, McWilliams is the owner of Providence Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and works alongside his business partners, Mickey Zacchilli and Nicholas Reville. Their gym focuses on communities that are usually under supported in jiu-jitsu spaces, such as folks of color, women and the LGBTQ community. Their main goal is having a comfortable, safe and accessible space for everyone to train in. Having opened the gym a few months ago, McWilliams is already looking ahead and plans on founding a youth program later down the line.
Students grapple during McWilliams’ jiu-jitsu teachings. Photography by Angel Perez.
The classes at Providence BJJ break down the fundamentals while on the ground and standing. Instructors give students intentional reminders to slow their breathing and focus on movement. Plus, there is no strict dress code – people are also allowed to wear whatever clothing is breathable and comfortable for them. The classes are mixed ages and genders, allowing anyone to come in and learn more about the art and techniques of jiu jitsu.
“One of the beautiful things about jiu-jitsu is it doesn’t require any super athleticism,” McWilliams says. “It doesn’t require youth, it doesn’t require above average physical strength. You can just show up as you are with no background or training, not ever having done anything before.”
Book a beginner’s course with McWilliams at Providence BJJ or sign up for the membership for consistent sessions. 4 Aurora St., Providence, 401-573-2523, providencebjj.com
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