Our Jiu Jitsu program in Nashville goes far beyond athletic training. We help students build strength, focus, and lifelong resilience in an environment that pushes you to grow on and off the mats.
Professor Shawn Williams has developed one of the most complete and thoughtfully structured Jiu Jitsu curriculums in the world, built directly from the foundations taught to him by Master Renzo Gracie.
This system-based curriculum goes beyond individual techniques, teaching the core building blocks of Jiu Jitsu and how they connect. This creates a deeper, more complete understanding that applies to both competition and real-world self-defense.
Beginners build a solid foundation through guided instruction and positional understanding, learning essential movements, escapes, and submissions at a controlled pace.
Experienced grapplers take a deeper dive into the Gracie and Williams systems, exploring advanced concepts, sequences, and strategies that define high-level Jiu Jitsu.
Shawn Williams is regarded as one of the most respected instructors in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, known for his precise, detail-driven teaching and deep understanding of grappling and striking arts. He began training at age 12 in Bluffton, Indiana, and moved to New York City in 1996 to train under legendary world champion and MMA pioneer Renzo Gracie.
One of Renzo’s lead instructors, Shawn earned his black belt in 2002. He later brought the Renzo Gracie lineage to Southern California, founding Renzo Gracie Los Angeles in 2010, which grew into one of the region’s largest academies. Today, we’re lucky to have Shawn on the mats with us every day at Renzo Gracie Nashville.
Renzo Gracie awarded Shawn his black belt on April 2, 2002, making him the fifth black belt promoted from the famed Renzo Gracie Academy in NYC, alongside legends like Ricardo Almeida, Rodrigo Gracie, Matt Serra, and Nick Serra. Shawn is now a 6th-degree black belt under Renzo Gracie.
Williams has developed an effective guard dubbed “The Williams Guard” by John Danaher. The guard is very effective in BJJ and MMA in its ability to prevent strikes from an opponent while setting arm bars, triangles, and omoplata submissions.
Shawn was selected as a coach on season 12 of The Ultimate Fighter, the UFC’s flagship reality television series and mixed martial arts competition, alongside his close friend and longtime colleague, John Danaher. Under their leadership, Team GSP (Georges St-Pierre) compiled an 11–4 record and advanced to an all–Team final.
Shawn Williams’ major BJJ and Grappling accomplishments include: 2003 black belt lightweight IBJJF Pan American Bronze Medallist, Ohio Pro Am Champion (2004), FILA Regional Qualifier (2008), ADCC Qualifier Bronze Medallist.
Analyst and Commentator For Biggest Grappling Events in the World. Shawn is the long-time analyst and commentator for the top BJJ and grappling events in the world, including the Abu Dhabi Combat Club World Championships, Abu Dhabi World Professional Championships, IBJJF World Championships, WNO, IBJJF Pans, and Kasai Elite Grappling Championships.
With academies in Belle Meade and Brentwood, Renzo Gracie Nashville offers flexible class times, state-of-the-art training spaces, and a unified community led by world-class coaches.
First two classes FREE
With academies in Belle Meade and Brentwood, Renzo Gracie Nashville offers flexible class times, state-of-the-art training spaces, and a unified community led by world-class coaches.
*entrance off Brookwood Terrace
