Marco Gigante Villela

Last updated

Marco Gigante Villela
Born(1974-12-07)December 7, 1974
Brazil
Other namesGiant
Style Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai
Teacher(s) Carlos Gracie, Jr.
Rank 3rd Degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Website Giant Team

Marco Gigante Villela (born December 7, 1974) is a 3rd degree Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) black belt under Carlos Gracie Jr. Gigante, also known as "Giant", is the Head Teacher and founder of Giant Team Australia, based in Sydney, Australia. [1]

Contents

Gigante worked as the grappling skills coach for the South Sydney Rabbitohs (2012–13). [2]

Gigante's younger brother Fabio Gigantinho Villela followed his brother's lead and is Carlos Gracie Jr 2nd degree black belt and is a Head Teacher at Gracie Barra Cedar Park, Texas, USA. [3]

History

Gigante was born and raised in Brazil. He began training judo at the age of five and then Muay Thai at 12 years old. Since the age of 19, Gigante has trained BJJ and earned his black belt under Carlos Gracie Jr. after 11 years.

His resume includes over 25 years BJJ, mixed martial arts, Muay Thai and submission grappling experience. In 2011, Gigante left his native Brazil and emigrated to Australia. He briefly started a teaching position at Gracia Oceania, Sydney. In August 2011 he founded Giant Team Australia, Sydney. Giant Team has since expanded into a number of locations across Sydney. [4]

In 2013 Gigante worked extensively with K-1 World Grand Prix, Pride Fighting Championships and Ultimate Fighting Championship veteran Mark Hunt in preparation for his fight with Stefan Struve at UFC on Fuel TV: Silva vs. Stann. Gigante features in the Fuel TV documentary Art of Fighting, which chronicles Hunt's fight with Struve in Japan. [5]

Achievements

In BJJ competition Gigante has generally fought in the Pesadissimo weight class (over 100 kg/221 lbs). [6]

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References

  1. ↑ "Marco "Gigante" Vilella | BJJ Heroes". 17 May 2011.
  2. ↑ "Meet South Sydney's 122kg secret weapon - Brazilian jiu-jitsu guru Marco "The Giant" Villela | thetelegraph.com.au". Archived from the original on 9 August 2013.
  3. ↑ "Team Members | Gracie Barra Cedar Park Martial Arts School - Jiu-Jitsu for everyone - Master Carlos Gracie Jr. - Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu". Archived from the original on 24 October 2013. Retrieved 5 December 2013.
  4. ↑ "Giant Team Australia Brazilian Jiu Jitsu". Archived from the original on 10 November 2013. Retrieved 5 December 2013.
  5. ↑ http://www.ufconfoxtel.com/videos/videos-archive/488-mark-hunt-documentary-on-fuel-tv
  6. ↑ "Marco "Gigante" Vilella | BJJ Heroes". 17 May 2011.
  7. ↑ "World Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2004 - Results - IBJJF - International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation". ibjjf.org. Archived from the original on 11 December 2013.
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