Jean Jacques Machado

Biography

Machado was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and suffered birth defects resulting from amniotic band syndrome, which left him with only the thumb and the little finger on his left hand. Despite this congenital problem, which directly affects the skill of gripping, he began his Jiu-Jitsu training over thirty years ago and dominated the competitive arena of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in his native country, capturing every major title and competition award from 1982 through 1992.

In 1992, Machado arrived in the United States where he continued competing successfully.

On June 6, 2011 in a private ceremony held at the Rickson Gracie Academy in West Los Angeles, Machado was promoted to a 7th degree red-and-black belt. This prestigious promotion is in recognition of Machado's 25 years as a black belt instructor, competitor and champion. He then received the 8th degree on his black belt from Rickson Gracie on March 29, 2025.

Coaching career

Since retiring from competition, Machado has focused his time on coaching students instead. He famously taught both 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu founder Eddie Bravo and podcaster Joe Rogan, along with a number of other celebrities and prominent martial arts figures like Freddie Prinze Jr. and Dan Inosanto.

Machado served as a coach alongside Roger Gracie, Rigan Machado, and Dean Lister on season 6 of the Professional Grappling Federation on April 21 to 26, 2024. Machado led Team X-Martial at the tournament, and they won the team title.

Professional titles

• Rio de Janeiro Jiu-Jitsu State Championships :: Cruiserweight Champion: 11 consecutive years (1982–1992)
• Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu National Championships :: Cruiserweight Champion: 11 consecutive years (1982–1992)
• Sambo Wrestling Championships :: National and Pan American Cruiserweight Champion :: 1993 Oklahoma - 1st Place :: 1994 San Diego, California - 1st Place
• Grappling Style Challenge Japan :: 1995 - Champion
• Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu American Championships :: 4 consecutive years (1995–1998)
• Black Belt Super Challenge Championships :: 1998 - Champion :: 2000 - Champion
• Abu Dhabi Submission Wrestling World Championships :: 1999 - 66–76 kg Division Gold Medalist, Most Technical Fighter Award :: 2000 - 66–76 kg Division Silver Medalist :: 2001 - Absolute Division Silver Medalist, Best Match Award, Fastest Submission Award :: 2005 - Superfight Runner Up

Instructor lineage

Jigoro Kano → Tomita Tsunejirō → Mitsuyo Maeda → Carlos Gracie Sr. → Hélio Gracie → Rickson Gracie → Jean Jacques Machado

Mixed martial arts record

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Submission grappling record

References

1. "Jean Jacques Machado Promoted To 8th Degree Coral Belt By Rickson Gracie".
2. "Jean Jacques Machado".
3. "ADCC Results". Official ADCC results.
4. "Jean Jacques Machado Added To ADCC Hall Of Fame For 2024".
5. "Meet our Founder - Master Jean Jacques Machado".
6. (June 8, 2011). "JEAN JACQUES MACHADO PROMOTED - DSTRYRsg". DSTRYRsg.
7. "Jean Jacques Machado Promoted To 8th Degree Coral Belt By Rickson Gracie".
8. "Eddie Bravo Promoted To Fourth Degree BJJ Black Belt".
9. "Actor Freddie Prinze Jr Receives BJJ Purple Belt From Jean Jacques Machado".
10. "Dan Inosanto Promoted To Fifth Degree BJJ Black Belt By Jean Jacques Machado".
11. "Four BJJ Legends Confirmed As PGF Season 6 Coaches Lineup Finalized".
12. "Four Jiu-Jitsu Legends Draft Their Teams For PGF World Season 6".
13. "PGF World Season 6: Best Of Day 4".