KURTIS PARISI
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KURTIS PARISI
Life Member - United States Ju-Jitsu Federation (USJJF) ®
Life Member - United States Martial Arts Federation (USMAF) TM
State Advisor - United States Taiho Jutsu for Rhode Island, USA
Senior Master Kurtis Parisi began his martial arts journey in 1981 at the age of ten, training under Pete Marro in Goshin Ryu Jiu-Jitsu at the Cranston, Rhode Island YMCA. In 1983, he expanded his training to include Shaolin Kempo Karate under the instruction of the Kugel brothers of Cranston, advancing to the rank of brown belt.
Seeking a greater challenge, Senior Master Parisi pursued training at what was widely regarded as Rhode Island’s premier Kempo Karate school — George Pesare’s Kempo Karate School in Providence. There, he successfully earned his Black Belt after completing a demanding three-day examination.
Following his promotion, Senior Master Parisi competed extensively in amateur kickboxing and point-fighting tournaments before turning professional in Muay Thai Kickboxing and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). Over the course of his professional career, he achieved a 10–3 record in Muay Thai/Kickboxing and a 3–1 record in MMA.
In 2009, he captured the I.C.E. Light Heavyweight Muay Thai Title with a first-round knockout victory over Brian Pratt at a sold-out Worcester Crown Plaza Arena. He concluded his professional fighting career in 2016 with a second-round knockout win over Hector Sanchez at Mohegan Sun Casino, marking the close of an accomplished and distinguished fighting career.
After retiring from active competition, Senior Master Parisi shifted his focus to training professional fighters and expanding his cross-training across various martial arts disciplines. He studied Vee Arnis Jitsu under his trainer and cornerman, Jake Burke, earning the rank of Red Belt with Black Stripe. He then furthered his study of a related discipline, Kuntao Jujitsu, under Grandmaster Richard Petronelli, attaining the rank of Black Belt.
In addition, Senior Master Parisi deepened his study of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, earning his Blue Belt under Renzo Gracie and Marcelo Cruz, and continues to actively train in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu today.
In 2025, Senior Master Parisi achieved two major milestones: he earned his 7th Degree Black Belt from the International Kenpo Council of Grandmasters, and was awarded the rank of Shichidan (7th Degree Black Belt) in Kuntao Jujitsu under Grandmaster Petronelli.
Outside of martial arts, Senior Master Parisi has proudly served with the Rhode Island Department of Corrections since 1989, where he currently holds the rank of Lieutenant.
Teaching Philosophy & Contribution:
Senior Master Parisi is deeply committed to preserving the traditional values of martial arts while embracing modern training methods that develop both mind and body. He believes that discipline, humility, and perseverance are the foundation of true mastery, and he strives to instill these principles in every student he teaches and every Amateur and professional fighter he trains. Through decades of training, teaching, and mentorship, he continues to inspire the next generation of martial artists to reach their fullest potential — both on and off the mat.
Professionally, Kurtis Parisi is currently a Lieutenant at the Rhode Island Department of Corrections.
Mr. Parisi can be contacted at the following address:
E-Mail: [email protected]
Website: www.georgepesare.com
Life Member - United States Ju-Jitsu Federation (USJJF) ®
Life Member - United States Martial Arts Federation (USMAF) TM
State Advisor - United States Taiho Jutsu for Rhode Island, USA
Senior Master Kurtis Parisi began his martial arts journey in 1981 at the age of ten, training under Pete Marro in Goshin Ryu Jiu-Jitsu at the Cranston, Rhode Island YMCA. In 1983, he expanded his training to include Shaolin Kempo Karate under the instruction of the Kugel brothers of Cranston, advancing to the rank of brown belt.
Seeking a greater challenge, Senior Master Parisi pursued training at what was widely regarded as Rhode Island’s premier Kempo Karate school — George Pesare’s Kempo Karate School in Providence. There, he successfully earned his Black Belt after completing a demanding three-day examination.
Following his promotion, Senior Master Parisi competed extensively in amateur kickboxing and point-fighting tournaments before turning professional in Muay Thai Kickboxing and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). Over the course of his professional career, he achieved a 10–3 record in Muay Thai/Kickboxing and a 3–1 record in MMA.
In 2009, he captured the I.C.E. Light Heavyweight Muay Thai Title with a first-round knockout victory over Brian Pratt at a sold-out Worcester Crown Plaza Arena. He concluded his professional fighting career in 2016 with a second-round knockout win over Hector Sanchez at Mohegan Sun Casino, marking the close of an accomplished and distinguished fighting career.
After retiring from active competition, Senior Master Parisi shifted his focus to training professional fighters and expanding his cross-training across various martial arts disciplines. He studied Vee Arnis Jitsu under his trainer and cornerman, Jake Burke, earning the rank of Red Belt with Black Stripe. He then furthered his study of a related discipline, Kuntao Jujitsu, under Grandmaster Richard Petronelli, attaining the rank of Black Belt.
In addition, Senior Master Parisi deepened his study of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, earning his Blue Belt under Renzo Gracie and Marcelo Cruz, and continues to actively train in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu today.
In 2025, Senior Master Parisi achieved two major milestones: he earned his 7th Degree Black Belt from the International Kenpo Council of Grandmasters, and was awarded the rank of Shichidan (7th Degree Black Belt) in Kuntao Jujitsu under Grandmaster Petronelli.
Outside of martial arts, Senior Master Parisi has proudly served with the Rhode Island Department of Corrections since 1989, where he currently holds the rank of Lieutenant.
Teaching Philosophy & Contribution:
Senior Master Parisi is deeply committed to preserving the traditional values of martial arts while embracing modern training methods that develop both mind and body. He believes that discipline, humility, and perseverance are the foundation of true mastery, and he strives to instill these principles in every student he teaches and every Amateur and professional fighter he trains. Through decades of training, teaching, and mentorship, he continues to inspire the next generation of martial artists to reach their fullest potential — both on and off the mat.
Professionally, Kurtis Parisi is currently a Lieutenant at the Rhode Island Department of Corrections.
Mr. Parisi can be contacted at the following address:
E-Mail: [email protected]
Website: www.georgepesare.com
