We offer a flexible schedule of Gi, No Gi, Wrestling for Jiu Jitsu, Judo for Jiu Jitsu and Mobility classes. Our Kids program is for children age 6-13 and is held 2 times a week. While competing is not required, we have a young competition team that is consistently on the podium. No matter your goals, we have classes and coaches to help get you there.

Whether you are a complete beginner, hobbyist, competitor or professional fighter, Riverfront Jiu Jitsu has classes and coaches that can help you reach your goals. You will be welcomed and supported as a member of the team from your first visit. 

What to Expect at Riverfront Jiu Jitsu

Riverfront Jiu Jitsu is focused on a positive first experience on the mats. We know that taking your first Jiu Jitsu class can be intimidating and we are committed to making you our priority. Our diverse coaching staff will teach you jiu jitsu techniques in a controlled environment to increase your confidence in your ability to defend yourself and learn a new and ever evolving sport. 

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WRESTLING FOR JIU JITSU INSTRUCTOR

Nick Mancini

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Jiu Jitsu Instructor

Sean Allen

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Owner and Head Instructor

Billy Shaw

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Judo for Jiu Jitsu Instructor

Jay hubbard

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Jiu Jitsu Instructor

Brian Grant

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Mobility and Jiu Jitsu Instructor

Elyse Shaw

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Striking Instructor

Bryan Cardona

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Head Striking Instructor

Ron Tyree

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Jiu Jitsu Instructor

PaT MCSharar

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Kids Jiu Jitsu Instructor

Brian Kline

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Kids Jiu Jitsu Instructor

Janelle Malone

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Kids Jiu Jitsu Instructor

Benjamin Saliba

Lineage: Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie > Carlson Gracie > Ricardo De La Riva > Alexey Cruz-Pickerell > Alexandre Quintella > William Shaw

Riverfront Jiu Jitsu is a We Defy approved school and Billy is a mentor for combat veterans who use jiu jitsu to overcome their challenges. Outside of jiu jitsu, Billy enjoys hiking and is a dog rescue advocate and has 4 rescue dogs.

Billy Shaw is the owner and head instructor at Riverfront Jiu Jitsu. He has been training since 2007 and received his black belt in 2019 from Alexandre Quintella. Billy started running the kids class when he was a blue belt and realized his passion and talent for teaching jiu jitsu. Billy is very open about his troubled past and battle with addiction and credits jiu jitsu for helping him get on the right path. Riverfront Jiu Jitsu was opened with the goal to create a more welcoming and non-traditional gym environment. Billy is an ambassador for mental health treatment and recovery and offers sponsorships to children and adult students in need.

Owner and Head Instructor

Billy Shaw

Lineage: Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie > Carlson Gracie > Ricardo De La Riva > Luíz Vicente da Silva Júnior > Sean Allen

Sean began training jiu jitsu in early 2006. After being introduced to the art by a close family friend, he was immediately drawn to jiu jitsu's ability to neutralize and defeat opponents regardless of size. In 2013, Sean received his black belt from Luíz Vicente da Silva Júnior (Vicente Jr.). In 2021, Sean joined his long-time friend and training partner, Billy Shaw, at Riverfront Jiu Jitsu. Sean's focus now is helping newer jiu jitsu practitioners build their skill sets by sharing his over 15 years of knowledge. 

Jiu Jitsu Instructor

Sean Allen

Nick is an accomplished jiu jitsu competitor with over 100 matches at all levels. Nick has competed at numerous local tournaments, the IBJJF Pan and World championships, and has been featured on multiple superfight cards for Fight2Win and Finishers Sub Only. Nick is an amateur MMA fighter with a recent win via TKO and is a consistent presence in Grant Bacon's "Striking" class. Nick currently teaches Riverfront Jiujitsu's "Wrestling for Jiu Jitsu" class, where he shows how he has adapted his takedown game to fit jiu jitsu. 

Nick is currently a jiu jitsu brown belt and a lifelong wrestler that began training jiu jitsu full time in December 2018. Nick wrestled as a heavyweight through elementary and middle school and stopped growing, forcing him to learn how to wrestle step-by-step as a young adult in high school. In high school, Nick was a 3-year varsity wrestler, captain of his team, and placed 3rd in the state tournament. As a collegiate wrestler, Nick wrestled 5 years at the NCAA Division II level for Millersville University, where he served as a 2-year starter and a team captain. 

Wrestling For Jiu Jitsu Instructor

Nick Mancini

Elyse is the co-owner of Riverfront Jiu Jitsu. She started training in January of 2020 when the school opened and is now a competitive purple belt. She competes regularly at local and IBJJF tournaments and is consistently on super fight cards including  Finishers Sub Only, F2W, FURY, Arena Grappling, Hammer Challenge, Emerald City, Tap Cancer Out, and Sub Out Domestic Violence.

Elyse teaches a mobility class that focuses on functional movements specifically designed to improve your mobility during your jiu jitsu practice.

She is the Delaware State Ambassador Representation for the We Defy Foundation and hosts one of the largest fundraisers for the foundation. Elyse organizes and runs all Riverfront Fights events.

Billy and Elyse are dog rescue advocates and have 4 dogs. 

Jiu Jitsu and Mobility Instructor

Elyse Shaw

Brian Grant is a Purple belt who has trained under Professor Billy Shaw for the past 5 years. At Riverfront Jiu Jitsu, he instructs kids classes and beginner Jiu Jitsu. In the military, has been a U.S. Army Combatives Instructor for the past 11 years.

He is the lead instructor at Defender BJJ, a Riverfront affiliated team, on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. As a Police Officer, he has instructed Defensive Tactics in the Academy, and during in-service training. Currently, he is one of the lead control tactics instructors for a large federal agency. He is also a bagpiper with the Philadelphia Police and Fire Pipes and Drums.

Jiu Jitsu Instructor

Brian Grant

Jay is a 1st Degree Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He started training Judo and Jiu Jitsu in 2007 at Wilmington Jiu Jitsu where he received his blue belt. Jay then started training at NexGen in New Jersey where he moved through the ranks, reaching black belt in 2018. Once Jay started training he was hooked and began competing across the country from white belt to purple belt.

After his competition days were over, he realized his passion for teaching and sharing the knowledge and skill he has gained over the years. Jay teaches Judo for Jiu Jitsu which is a hybrid class focused on takedowns, defense to takedowns, grip fighting and setup.

Judo for Jiu Jitsu Instructor

Jay Hubbard

Pat walked onto the mats Jan 2020 as a competitive rower looking to cross-train and has been a student of jiu jitsu ever since. Having started with essentially no grappling background before Riverfront, he has made up for lost time and become the first RJJ student to be promoted from fresh white to a proficient purple belt.

Pat finds his joy in the technical mastery of the art and the “physical chess match” he often calls jiu jitsu. He is Riverfront’s premier uke for both jiu jitsu and judo classes and can often be found working with everyone in the gym from first-class students to our advanced competitors prepping for tournaments. 

Jiu Jitsu Instructor

PAt Mcsharar

Ron Tyree began his training in karate at 9-years-old in 1979. He received his black belt in 1987. In 2000, Ron was recognized by the World Head of Family Hall of Fame for the Most Innovative Training Program of the Year and was inducted into the Isshin-Ryu Hall of Fame in May 2024. Ron competed for over 20 years before retiring. He has trained many successful MMA fighters over the years. Encouraged by his instructor to add to his martial arts skills, Ron went on to train in kickboxing, Muay Thai, and grappling arts. These experiences led to the development of his fighting method called Shikyori Budo, which means “the art of four distances.” Shikyori Budo is a collaboration of instructors in the areas of striking, stick/knife fighting, judo, wrestling, and jui jitsu. Ron currently teaches in Elkton, MD and Wilmington, DE.
 
Ron has a B.S. in Public Policy, a Bachelor’s of Nursing, and a Master’s of Advanced Practice Nursing with a specialty in Psychiatry Nurse Practitioner. He is the owner and Chief Medical Officer of Sozo Wellness Centers of America in Newark, DE.

Head Striking Instructor

Ron Tyree

Bio coming soon!

Jiu Jitsu Instructor

Bryan Cardona

Photo Coming Soon!

Benjamin is a Blue belt who has trained under Professor Billy Shaw since January 2023. At Riverfront Jiu Jitsu, he instructs kids classes. In the military, has been a U.S. Coast Guard Firearms Instructor for the past 4 years. As well as a CPR/AED and First aid instructor for the last 2 years. He is the main Firearms Instructor for Coast Guard Sector National Capital Region.

He has competed in multiple local competitions and his favorite submission is a triangle. He has a wonderful wife who encourages him to train daily and an incredibly well behaved dog who was trained as a service dog. 

Kids Jiu Jitsu Instructor

Benjamin SalibA

Janelle is a blue belt who started training jiu jitsu in April 2019 with her child due to bullying and assaults happening at school. She is a huge advocate for and have a passion for children learning jiu jitsu for this reason. Janelle has participated in local jiu jitsu competitions and a charity super fight to raise awareness and finds for victims of domestic violence.

She has a degree in psychology and have specialized in special education with a background being a pre-k teacher and experience with children in schools as a behavioral therapeutic support. 

 Janelle is currently a law enforcement officer, with experience in defensive tactics training and Gracie Survival Tactics training. She serves in the U.S Army and is a We Defy ambassador and mentor to veteran athletes 



Kids Jiu Jitsu Instructor

Janelle Malone

Brian has been a member of the Riverfront family for almost 5 years! He is a constant positive presence on the mat along side his dad and brother. Dont let the kids belt fool you, Brian has solid technique and gives our adult members a tough roll.

He has a passion for Gi Jiu Jitsu and now shares that by teaching the kids classes at Riverfront! 


Kids Jiu Jitsu Instructor

Brian Kline

Meet our coaches

Bio coming soon!

Jiu Jitsu Instructor

Bryan Cardona

Photo Coming Soon!

Janelle is a blue belt who started training jiu jitsu in April 2019 with her child due to bullying and assaults happening at school. She is a huge advocate for and have a passion for children learning jiu jitsu for this reason. Janelle has participated in local jiu jitsu competitions and a charity super fight to raise awareness and finds for victims of domestic violence.

She has a degree in psychology and have specialized in special education with a background being a pre-k teacher and experience with children in schools as a behavioral therapeutic support. 

 Janelle is currently a law enforcement officer, with experience in defensive tactics training and Gracie Survival Tactics training. She serves in the U.S Army and is a We Defy ambassador and mentor to veteran athletes 



Kids Jiu Jitsu Instructor

Blue Belt

Janelle Malone

Benjamin is a Blue belt who has trained under Professor Billy Shaw since January 2023. At Riverfront Jiu Jitsu, he instructs kids classes. In the military, has been a U.S. Coast Guard Firearms Instructor for the past 4 years. As well as a CPR/AED and First aid instructor for the last 2 years. He is the main Firearms Instructor for Coast Guard Sector National Capital Region.

He has competed in multiple local competitions and his favorite submission is a triangle. He has a wonderful wife who encourages him to train daily and an incredibly well behaved dog who was trained as a service dog. 

Blue Belt

Kids Jiu Jitsu Instructor

Benjamin SalibA

Ron Tyree began his training in karate at 9-years-old in 1979. He received his black belt in 1987. In 2000, Ron was recognized by the World Head of Family Hall of Fame for the Most Innovative Training Program of the Year and was inducted into the Isshin-Ryu Hall of Fame in May 2024. Ron competed for over 20 years before retiring. He has trained many successful MMA fighters over the years. Encouraged by his instructor to add to his martial arts skills, Ron went on to train in kickboxing, Muay Thai, and grappling arts. These experiences led to the development of his fighting method called Shikyori Budo, which means “the art of four distances.” Shikyori Budo is a collaboration of instructors in the areas of striking, stick/knife fighting, judo, wrestling, and jui jitsu. Ron currently teaches in Elkton, MD and Wilmington, DE.
 
Ron has a B.S. in Public Policy, a Bachelor’s of Nursing, and a Master’s of Advanced Practice Nursing with a specialty in Psychiatry Nurse Practitioner. He is the owner and Chief Medical Officer of Sozo Wellness Centers of America in Newark, DE.

Head Striking Instructor

Ron Tyree

Pat walked onto the mats Jan 2020 as a competitive rower looking to cross-train and has been a student of jiu jitsu ever since. Having started with essentially no grappling background before Riverfront, he has made up for lost time and become the first RJJ student to be promoted from fresh white to a proficient purple belt.

Pat finds his joy in the technical mastery of the art and the “physical chess match” he often calls jiu jitsu. He is Riverfront’s premier uke for both jiu jitsu and judo classes and can often be found working with everyone in the gym from first-class students to our advanced competitors prepping for tournaments. 

Purple Belt

Jiu Jitsu Instructor

PAt Mcsharar

Jay is a 1st Degree Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He started training Judo and Jiu Jitsu in 2007 at Wilmington Jiu Jitsu where he received his blue belt. Jay then started training at NexGen in New Jersey where he moved through the ranks, reaching black belt in 2018. Once Jay started training he was hooked and began competing across the country from white belt to purple belt.

After his competition days were over, he realized his passion for teaching and sharing the knowledge and skill he has gained over the years. Jay teaches Judo for Jiu Jitsu which is a hybrid class focused on takedowns, defense to takedowns, grip fighting and setup.

1st degree Black Belt

Judo for Jiu Jitsu Instructor

Jay Hubbard

Brian Grant is a Purple belt who has trained under Professor Billy Shaw for the past 5 years. At Riverfront Jiu Jitsu, he instructs kids classes and beginner Jiu Jitsu. In the military, has been a U.S. Army Combatives Instructor for the past 11 years.

He is the lead instructor at Defender BJJ, a Riverfront affiliated team, on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. As a Police Officer, he has instructed Defensive Tactics in the Academy, and during in-service training. Currently, he is one of the lead control tactics instructors for a large federal agency. He is also a bagpiper with the Philadelphia Police and Fire Pipes and Drums.

Purple Belt

Jiu Jitsu Instructor

Brian Grant

Elyse is the co-owner of Riverfront Jiu Jitsu. She started training in January of 2020 when the school opened and is now a competitive purple belt. She competes regularly at local and IBJJF tournaments and is consistently on super fight cards including  Finishers Sub Only, F2W, FURY, Ground Zero Grappling, Arena Grappling, Hammer Challenge, Emerald City, Tap Cancer Out, and Sub Out Domestic Violence.

Elyse teaches a mobility class that focuses on functional movements specifically designed to improve your mobility during your jiu jitsu practice.

She is the Delaware State Ambassador Representation for the We Defy Foundation and hosts one of the largest fundraisers for the foundation. Elyse organizes and runs all Riverfront Fights events.

Billy and Elyse are dog rescue advocates and have 4 dogs. 

Purple Belt

Owner and Jiu Jitsu Instructor

Elyse Shaw

Nick is an accomplished jiu jitsu competitor with over 100 matches at all levels. Nick has competed at numerous local tournaments, the IBJJF Pan and World championships, and has been featured on multiple superfight cards for Fight2Win and Finishers Sub Only. Nick is an amateur MMA fighter with a recent win via TKO and is a consistent presence in Grant Bacon's "Striking" class. Nick currently teaches Riverfront Jiujitsu's "Wrestling for Jiu Jitsu" class, where he shows how he has adapted his takedown game to fit jiu jitsu. 

Nick is currently a jiu jitsu brown belt and a lifelong wrestler that began training jiu jitsu full time in December 2018. Nick wrestled as a heavyweight through elementary and middle school and stopped growing, forcing him to learn how to wrestle step-by-step as a young adult in high school. In high school, Nick was a 3-year varsity wrestler, captain of his team, and placed 3rd in the state tournament. As a collegiate wrestler, Nick wrestled 5 years at the NCAA Division II level for Millersville University, where he served as a 2-year starter and a team captain. 

Brown Belt

Wrestling for Jiu Jitsu Instructor

Nick Mancini

Lineage: Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie > Carlson Gracie > Ricardo De La Riva > Luíz Vicente da Silva Júnior > Sean Allen

Sean began training jiu jitsu in early 2006. After being introduced to the art by a close family friend, he was immediately drawn to jiu jitsu's ability to neutralize and defeat opponents regardless of size. In 2013, Sean received his black belt from Luíz Vicente da Silva Júnior (Vicente Jr.). In 2021, Sean joined his long-time friend and training partner, Billy Shaw, at Riverfront Jiu Jitsu. Sean's focus now is helping newer jiu jitsu practitioners build their skill sets by sharing his over 15 years of knowledge. 

1st Degree Black Belt

Jiu Jitsu Instructor

Sean Allen

Lineage: Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie > Carlson Gracie > Ricardo De La Riva > Alexey Cruz-Pickerell > Alexandre Quintella > William Shaw

Riverfront Jiu Jitsu is a We Defy approved school and Billy is a mentor for combat veterans who use jiu jitsu to overcome their challenges. Outside of jiu jitsu, Billy enjoys hiking and is a dog rescue advocate and has 4 rescue dogs.

Billy Shaw is the owner and head instructor at Riverfront Jiu Jitsu. He has been training since 2007 and received his black belt in 2019 from Alexandre Quintella. Billy started running the kids class when he was a blue belt and realized his passion and talent for teaching jiu jitsu. Billy is very open about his troubled past and battle with addiction and credits jiu jitsu for helping him get on the right path. Riverfront Jiu Jitsu was opened with the goal to create a more welcoming and non-traditional gym environment. Billy is an ambassador for mental health treatment and recovery and offers sponsorships to children and adult students in need.

1st Degree Black Belt

Owner and Head Instructor

Billy Shaw

Meet our coaches

Nick Mancini | RJJ Member

I came here as an experienced competition purple belt and love everything about this school. RJJ teaches inclusive classes that are beneficial for everybody; from the first day white belt to an experienced black belt, everybody benefits.Incredibly grateful to be training with such an awesome group of people.

Brett Pouser | RJJ Member

Riverfront Jiu Jitsu is absolutely amazing!!! Billy and Elyse have created such a welcoming, supportive, and fun environment with excellent instruction and awesome members. I joined as a 32 year old with zero experience and my first day on the mats I realized what a special place it is.
If you’ve always wanted to train bjj and you're trying to find the gym for you this is the place!

Kylie Rash | RJJ Member

Riverftont Jiu-Jitsu is one of the most welcoming environments I've ever been in. It can be scary to start anything new, especially a combat sport like Jiu-Jitsu. But, I genuinely feel like a member of the family here. I highly recommend this place to anyone who is even moderately interested in BJJ.

Dan Ganley | RJJ Parent

My kids first start with Billy Shaw at a previous school. In life I have learned that being good at something(he is excellent by the way) doesn’t mean you are necessarily a good teacher. Billy is great at both. He has taught my son confidence and skills he didn’t know that he possessed. We travel from Delaware County, Pa to Delaware for his instruction. He is worth it.

Randal Abrenica| RJJ Member

Highly recommend Riverfront Jiu Jitsu. Billy and Elyse have created such an incredible welcoming environment where it makes it a pleasure to learn and get better everyday. All instructors are very knowledgeable and members are incredible!

Collin Bartol| RJJ Member

Riverfront Jiu Jitsu is a great environment for all jiu jitsu skill levels. Riverfront has exceptional classes taught by knowledgeable and friendly instructors. The group at Riverfront is truly welcoming and makes you want to attend class - I cannot recommend enough!

Riverfront Jiu-Jitsu has excellent instructors and an outstanding atmosphere! From the moment on walking into the mats, I was welcomed by a warm welcome from ALL members! I highly recommend anyone who wants to learn the art of jiu-jitsu! The mentorship from Billy and attention to detail in helping you succeed are exceptional!

Al Grandell | RJJ Member

Teresa Armstrong| RJJ Visitor

I attend a weekend open mat at Riverfront Jiu Jitsu and immediately felt at ease. Everyone was extremely welcoming. Elyse and Billy do an amazing job running their school. If you are ever in the area, and looking for a great place to train, look no further!!!

Chris Williams | RJJ Member

I’ve been doing BJJ for over 10 years, trained everywhere from Philly to Baltimore and everywhere in between. Riverfront embodies what jiu-jitsu is supposed to be on every level and I’ve found a home here. Billy Shaw is a top notch black belt, coach and all around great dude. Wether you’re a competitor or a beginner there is room for you. Come be part of a team on the rise.

MIGAL SHRESTHA | RJJ Visitor

Great place to train! I was just visiting Delaware and needed a place to train at. Billy and everyone there was super friendly and respectful. They are also very law enforcement friendly.

Will definitely be coming back here when I’m back in Delaware.

Veronica Garrison | RJJ Parent

I don’t even know where to begin! First and for most the children's program is Absolutely amazing! Billy and Elyse are wonderful with my two children! They are very kind hearted, understanding and make you feel very welcomed and comfortable!! I have noticed since my son has been doing jiu jitsu he is a total different child, he’s more focused, his attitude has changed majorly! If your looking for jiu jitsu for children this is DEFINITELY the place to go!!

Sean Hitchens | RJJ Member

Everyone here is so welcoming and supportive! They have a good mix of fundamental beginner classes, advanced gi/nogi classes, as well as wrestling/judo and striking classes! One of my favorite classes is their Saturday morning mobility class! They also do a lot of work with veterans through the We Defy Foundation and inside their gym! Billy and Elyse Shaw really have something special going on here and I am proud to be a part of this gym!!

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