Two decades ago, Danny Savery was a Tiverton police officer and corrections officer with a passion for martial arts who enjoyed competing in both Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and MMA (Mixed Martial Arts). Some of his colleagues in law enforcement, seeing the benefit that training would have in their line of work, asked to train with Savery.

“I started having people come and train at my home,” Savery said. “It just grew from there.”

The more Savery worked with others, the more he came to focus on Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, opening a studio first in Tiverton, then in Somerset after leaving law enforcement about 18 years ago. Now, he has three locations, in Somerset, Fairhaven, and most recently, Bristol.

First developed in 1925 by the Brazilian Gracie brothers, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a self-defense martial art and combat sport based on grappling, ground fighting, and submission holds. It focuses on taking your opponent down to the ground, gaining a dominant position, and using a number of techniques to force them into submission via joint locks or chokeholds. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu eventually came to be its own defined combat sport through the innovations, practices, and adaptation of Gracie jiu-jitsu and judo, and became an essential martial art for modern MMA.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is founded in the concept that a smaller, weaker person can successfully defend themselves against a bigger, stronger, heavier opponent.

Savery’s studio has actually been quietly open for about a year and a half in a small Gooding Avenue location. He quickly outgrew that space and recently found a 6,000-square-foot space on the site of the former Benny’s at 655 Metacom Ave., renovated the interior and outfitted the space. They have been open for about three months.

“We’re still putting up signs so it is not that visible yet,” Savery said.
“All martial arts like to say they’re good for all body types, but Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a martial art that is truly practical,” said Savery. “Anyone can do this…it’s fun, it’s great exercise, and small people can compete.”

Overall Savery has about 30 employees, including coaches, programming directors, and support staff. All the coaching staff are black belts, an achievement that takes about 8 to 10 years of consistent weekly training to earn. Unlike some other martial arts, practitioners cannot earn advanced belts in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu until age 16.

“You have to have brains and physicality because it’s very strategic,” said Savery. “Even personality can play into Brazilian Jiu Jitsu — you have to be calm and set up traps.”

Savery is especially enthusiastic about the benefits of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu within the law enforcement community. He has an established training protocol with officers in several communities, including Tiverton.

“It has resulted in a lower injury rate for both police officers and perpetrators, because you learn how to control the adrenaline dump, and there’s no build up of anxiety and fear,” said Savery. “It reduces liability and increases confidence; you are in better shape, mentally and physically.”

Savery offers classes for all ages and abilities. Contact them at dannysaverybjj.com and a program director will reach out and schedule a free trial lesson.