Rigan Machado

Last updated
Rigan Machado
Born (1966-07-02) July 2, 1966 (age 57)
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Residence Los Angeles, California, US
Style Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Sambo
Teacher(s) Helio Gracie, Rolls Gracie, Carlos Gracie Jr.
Rank8th deg. BJJ coral belt
Notable relatives Machado family
Gracie Family
Notable students Dan Inosanto, Erik Paulson, Chuck Norris, John Will, Chris Haueter, Rick Minter, Cindy Omatsu, Damone Revere, Rodney King
Website www.theacademybeverlyhills.com/instructors/rigan-machado/
Medal record
Representing Flag of Brazil.svg  Brazil
Men's Sambo
Pan American Championships
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 1993 Chula Vista-90 kg
Bronze medal icon (B initial).svg 1993 Chula VistaOpen class
Pan American Jiu-Jitsu Championship
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 1996 Absolute kg
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 1997 +100 kg
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 1997 Open class
ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship
Bronze medal icon (B initial).svg 2000 Kerava, Finland +99kg

Rigan Machado (born 2 July 1966) is an American martial arts instructor. He is an 8th degree red and White belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, earning his rank under Carlos Gracie Jr. He is a former Pan American Champion (1996, 1997 weight and absolute) and a veteran medalist of the ADCC. [1] Machado currently teaches out of his Beverly Hills, California, academy and is instructor to several Los Angeles–based celebrity students.

Contents

Biography

Machado was born in Rio de Janeiro, and is one of five brothers in the Machado family. He began training at the age of five with his cousins, "The Gracie Family". In an interview, when asked about his exact relationship with the Gracies, he said: "My mother's sister married the founder of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Carlos Gracie."

Machado was awarded the first black belt under Gracie Barra founder Carlos Gracie Jr. [2] and is one of the original teachers who taught in the garage of Rorion Gracie in the early days of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in America. [3] He also trained with his other cousins such Rickson Gracie, Rorion Gracie, Rillion Gracie, his uncle Carlos Gracie Sr, and his brothers. At one point in 1986, he even publicly competed against Rickson Gracie at a Jiu-Jitsu competition in one of the earliest public matches between members of the family. [4]

He is widely regarded as one of the top competitors in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu history. He also competed and won many tournaments in judo, sambo, and wrestling. In Sambo he was placed second at the 198 lbs division, and third at the open class of the 1993 Pan American Sambo Championships in Chula Vista; [5] and at some point between 1990 and 1994, he was seen submitting several Judo black belts in at least one Judo competition at the West Covina Dojo. [6]

Instructor lineage

Kanō Jigorō → Tomita Tsunejirō → Mitsuyo "Count Koma" Maeda → Hélio Gracie → Rolls Gracie & Carlos "Carlinhos" Gracie Jr → Rigan Machado

As an instructor

Machado currently teaches at his school, "The Academy Beverly Hills", located in Beverly Hills, California. He is also the commissioner of Jiu Jitsu World League. Due to the location of his gym, many students of his gym are celebrities such as Ashton Kutcher, [7] Vin Diesel, Wiz Khalifa, [8] Wagner Moura, [9] Bryan Callen, and Charlie Hunnam. [10]

Machado served as a coach alongside Roger Gracie, Jean Jacques Machado, and Dean Lister on season 6 of the Professional Grappling Federation on April 21 to 26, 2024. [11] Machado led Team 1st Phorm at the tournament, [12] and finished in second place. [13]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brazilian jiu-jitsu</span> Martial art

Brazilian jiu-jitsu is a self-defence martial art and combat sport based on grappling, ground fighting, and submission holds. BJJ focuses on taking ones opponent down to the ground, gaining a dominant position, and using a number of techniques to force them into submission via joint locks, chokeholds or compression locks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rickson Gracie</span> Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner and mixed martial arts fighter

Rickson Gracie is a Brazilian retired mixed martial artist. He is a member of the Gracie family: the third oldest son of Hélio Gracie, brother to Rorion and Relson Gracie, and half-brother to Rolker, Royce, Robin and Royler Gracie. In the 1980s and 1990s, he was widely considered to be the best fighter of the Gracie clan, and one of the toughest in the world. In July 2017, he was promoted to ninth-degree red belt, the second-highest ranking in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ron Tripp</span> American martial artist

Ron Tripp is an American chiropractor, sports executive, coach, and former competitor in judo and sambo.

Carlos Machado is a former world master's champion in Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He is the eldest of the five Machado Brothers, known for BJJ, that also includes Roger, Rigan, Jean Jacques and John. He is also the brother-in-law of UFC fighter Stephen Thompson. He currently runs BJJ schools across the United States, Australia, Canada and Mexico.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hélio Gracie</span> Brazilian co-inventor of Brazilian jiu-jitsu (1913–2009)

Hélio Gracie was a Brazilian martial artist who together with his brothers Oswaldo, Gastao Jr, George and Carlos Gracie founded and developed the self-defense martial art system of Gracie jiu-jitsu, also known as Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ).

The Gracie family is a family of martial artists originally from Belém, state of Pará, Brazil whose ancestors came from Paisley, Scotland. They are known for promoting the self-defense martial arts system of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, commonly known as Brazilian jiu-jitsu, originating from Kano jiu-jitsu (Judo) brought to Brazil by judoka prizefighter Mitsuyo Maeda.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roger Gracie</span> Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner and mixed martial artist

Roger Gracie is a Brazilian former professional mixed martial artist (MMA) and 5th degree Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) practitioner and coach.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dean Lister</span> American mixed martial arts fighter

Dean Richard Lister is a retired American mixed martial artist (MMA) and submission grappler. He is a 4th degree Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) black belt, luta livre black belt, and coach. Lister is considered a pioneer of grappling and mixed martial arts.

Marcio Simas is a 7th Degree Coral belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Carlos Gracie, Jr. and the head of Gracie Barra Orlando and the Florida Federation of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Jean Jacques Machado is a Brazilian Jiu jitsu practitioner. He is one of the five Machado brothers. Machado is nephew of BJJ co-founder and Grandmaster Carlos Gracie, and learned the martial art from an early age.

John Will is a notable martial artist from Australia. Will won the Best Exponent Award in the first World Silat Championships held in Jakarta in 1981. Will also completed his black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under Rigan Machado and Jean Jacques Machado in 1998, making him one of the first twelve foreign nationals to have earned a black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Megaton Dias</span> Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner

Wellington Leal Dias Santos, known as Megaton Dias, is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) practitioner, and 7th degree coral belt of the Gracie Humaitá jiu-jitsu association under Royler Gracie. Wellington originally trained under Rogerio Camoes and later at the Gracie Humaitá jiu-jitsu school in Rio de Janeiro. Wellington received his black belt at the age of 18. Wellington is currently a coral belt under Royler Gracie.

The Machado Family are a family of Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioners, mixed martial artists and grapplers. They are the founders of RCJ Machado Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and are cousins to members of the Gracie family.

Chris Haueter is a 6th degree black belt Brazilian jiu jitsu practitioner and coach. As one of the first non-Brazilians to achieve the rank of black belt and the first American black belt to compete at the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship, he is regarded as a pioneer of the sport. Haueter is also known for coining several unnamed Brazilian jiu-jitsu's positions.

Rolls Gracie was a Brazilian martial artist. He was a prominent member of the Gracie family known for their founding of Brazilian jiu-jitsu and considered by some the family's best ever fighter. He was teacher of Rickson Gracie, Carlos Gracie Jr., Royler Gracie, Maurício "Maurição" Motta Gomes, Márcio "Macarrão" Stambowsky, Rigan Machado and Romero "Jacare" Cavalcanti. He died in a hang-gliding accident in 1982. He is the father of Rolles Gracie and Igor Gracie.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ADCC Submission Fighting World Championship</span> Grappling competitions

The ADCC Submission Fighting World Championship is an international submission grappling competition, organised by the Abu Dhabi Combat Club (ADCC). The inaugural tournament was held in Abu Dhabi, UAE in 1998. It has been held every two years since 2001, except in 2021 due to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. Host countries have included Brazil, China, Finland, Spain, the UK, and the US.

The Gracie jiu-jitsu ranking system is a method of signifying competency and moral character of a jiu-jitsu practitioner, developed by founders Carlos and Hélio Gracie, and utilized by members of the Gracie family.

AJ Agazarm is an American submission grappler and mixed martial artist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alessandra Vieira</span> Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner from Brazil

Alessandra "Leka" Vieira is a submission grappler and a 6th degree Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner and coach. Widely regarded as one of the pioneers of women's Brazilian jiu-jitsu, she became in 1999 the first-ever female black belt World champion.

References

  1. ↑ "Rigan Machado". BJJ Heroes BJJ Fighter Database. March 26, 2015. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
  2. ↑ "Rigan Machado". BJJ Heroes BJJ Fighter Database. March 26, 2015. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
  3. ↑ "MMA Origins: Erik Paulson, Shooto's Forgotten Champion". Bloody Elbow. February 20, 2013. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
  4. ↑ "Throwback: Watch Rickson Gracie v Rigan Machado in 1986". 19 March 2022.
  5. ↑ Meeting of the minds boosts Gutscher to title By Phillip Brents, The Star-News, Chula Vista, California, April 28, 1993, Page B2.
  6. ↑ "Throwback: Watch Rigan Machado Submitting Judo Black Belts in Competition". 7 May 2022.
  7. ↑ "Ashton Kutcher's Jiu Jitsu Workout". Men's Health Magazine. March 26, 2015. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
  8. ↑ Blackett, Todd. "Wiz Khalifa Set For First BJJ Match". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
  9. ↑ Blackett, Todd. "Narcos Star Wagner Moura Promoted To Brown Belt In BJJ". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
  10. ↑ "Rigan Machado Designs Jiu Jitsu System Without Sparring for Celebrities". Eastern Europe BJJ. March 21, 2015. Retrieved March 21, 2015.
  11. ↑ de Souza, Diogo. "Four BJJ Legends Confirmed As PGF Season 6 Coaches Lineup Finalized". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
  12. ↑ Warrior, Egghead. "Four Jiu-Jitsu Legends Draft Their Teams For PGF World Season 6". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
  13. ↑ Warrior, Egghead. "PGF World Season 6: Best Of Day 4". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.