Train like the Machado Brothers

Anyone remotely interested in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has heard about the Gracie family. But it is also important to refer yet another Brazilian family, the Machado Family, who’s actually related by marriage to the Gracie family, the founders of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The relationship to the Gracies comes from the Machado’s mother’s sister, who married Carlos Gracie. As a family they entered tournaments and opened schools all around the United States. The Machado family name comes from their Brazilian heritage.

The Machado’s are 5 brothers:

• Carlos Machado – 8th Degree Red & Black belt. Oldest of the five brothers.
• Roger Machado – 7th Degree Red & Black Belt. Second oldest among the brothers.
• Rigan Machado – 7th Degree Red & Black Belt. Third oldest of the five brothers. From the age of 14 through 21, Rigan won the Brazilian National Championships every year and in every belt division. His record stands at 365 wins and 2 losses.
• Jean Jacques Machado – 7th Degree Red & Black Belt. Fourth oldest of the five brothers. He held the Rio De Janeiro Jiu-Jitsu State Championships Cruiser Weight Champion and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu National Championships Cruiser Weight Champion from 1982 to 1992.
• John Machado – 5th Degree Black Belt. Youngest of the five brothers. From 1993-1994 Pan American Games Sambo champion.

The Machado’s have held titles in every competition they have entered. The most recent family champions have been Rigan Machado, Jean Jacques Machado and Carlos Machado. The most successful Machado in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is Rigan Machado with an amazing record of 365 wins and 2 losses. The family now trains mixed martial arts fighters in organizations such as UFC, WEC, and Strikeforce. Rigan has awarded black belts to John Will, Erik Paulson, Dan Inosanto, and Chuck Norris. Jean-Jacques had also helped in awarding black belts to John Will and Dan Inosanto with Rigan. Jean-Jacques has also awarded black belts to No Gi proponent Eddie Bravo, Women’s World champion Felicia Oh, and former UFC heavyweight champion Ricco Rodriguez.

We will be writing more about the Machado family. For the time being, here is a rare video from 1992 where we can see excerpts of a typical training session, with John, Jean Jacques and Rigan Machado, training in their first academy in California.