Marco “Gigante” Villela is a respected instructor in Australia. Originally from Brazil, he talks about his journey in Jiu-Jitsu, learning from Carlos Gracie Jr and Relson Gracie, refereeing and why he thinks the IBJJF’s rules should be the standard. Click “Read More” for show notes!
SHOW NOTES:
- Origins
- His start with Judo, Luta Livre and Muay Thai
- The biggest differences between Jiu-Jitsu and Luta Livre
- Jiu-Jitsu’s history in Brazil as the “upper class” martial art
- Being a big guy in Jiu-Jitsu
- How Judo take downs have been more practical for his size
- His Jiu-Jitsu game
- Learning from Master Carlos Gracie Jr
- Working with Grandmaster Relson Gracie
- Moving to Australia
- Adapting to life in Australia
- How Jiu-Jitsu’s rapid growth in Australia has led to disorganization in his opinion
- Why he thinks the IBJJF rules should remain the standard
- His advice to new academy owners
- Self defense and tradition
- Refereeing: The good and the bad
- Working with Mark Hunt on his grappling
- The modern Jiu-Jitsu scene
- The struggles of living in Brazil
- How Jiu-Jitsu built a bridge between people of different social status
- His acting career
- Future plans
