Carlos Machado is the oldest and highest ranked of the famous Machado brothers. He played a vital role in bringing Jiu Jitsu to the United States and helping it grow.
Here is the full story on Master Carlos Machado. Going through his journey to open the Machado Jiu Jitsu Academy and create his own school and affiliation.
Carlos Machado’s entry into Jiu Jitsu
Being related to the Gracie family through his Aunt Lior, Carlos grew up around Jiu Jitsu. He first began training with the martial art’s co-creator, Helio Gracie at the original Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy.
When Carlos’ family moved south from Rio de Janeiro, he began training at Rolls’ Gracie academy. There he would develop a close bond with Carlos Gracie Jr.
A few of his younger brothers would join him at Roll’s school and train there before Rolls passed away. Carlinhos (Carlos Jr) would take over Rolls’ school after his death.
Gracie will then move the school to the Barra da Tijuca area in Rio de Janeiro. Carlos and his brothers would be part of the group that followed Jr. to the new location.
During this time, many prominent members of the Gracie family began to take the Machado brothers under their wings. Teach them everything they knew about the family martial art.
Carlos especially credits Crolin Gracie for helping develop his early skills in Jiu Jitsu.
Carlos’ time living with Carlos Gracie Sr
After finishing primary school, Carlos wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps and study to become a lawyer. The law school campus was near the home of Carlos’ great-uncle, Carlos Gracie Sr.
He would move into Carlos Sr.’s house from 1982 to 1987 while in law school. When he wasn’t studying, Carlos spent time with his uncle.
Carlos Sr. would tell Machado all about the martial art he helped create. These conversations with his uncle gave Carlos a better understanding of the martial art and its meaning.
Carlinhos would later have the honor of awarding Machado his black belt. Be the first of the Machado brothers to achieve the rank of black belt.
Carlos Machado moves to the United States
Carlos’ brother, Rigan, moved to the United States in 1988 to help develop Jiu Jitsu with his family. When Rigan returned to visit his family, he convinced his brothers to join him in the United States.
In 1990, all the Machado brothers had traveled to California to start their own academy. Initially, they wanted to open a Gracie Jiu-Jitsu affiliated school to keep it within the family.
Carlos and Rigan actually taught at Gracie Academy when they first came to the United States.
Unfortunately, that would not be the way things would be when they arrived in the United States. Rorion Gracie, the co-owner of the original Gracie Academy in Torrance, dismissed Machados’ idea.
As a lawyer himself, Rorion told the brothers they couldn’t use the name Gracie. Threaten legal action if they tried to open a Gracie Jiu-Jitsu school.
Disappointed, the Machado brothers would move to Redondo Beach and begin teaching Jiu Jitsu from their home.
Chuck Norris helps Carlos Machado and his brothers
One day, while the brothers were sitting in their home, they had an unexpected visitor. Famous actor and martial artist Chuck Norris showed up at their house to train.
Norris had first trained at Gracie Academy a few years before, but quit. He heard about the Machado brothers teaching Jiu Jitsu and wanted to resume training.
Chuck quickly became good friends with Carlos and his brothers. Train with them all day at their home and have lunch with them. He frequently invited the brothers to his home to eat and watch movies.
Then a day before practice, Chuck said he had a surprise for the Machado brothers. They got into his car and drove to a mall in Tarzana near Ventura Blvd.
Once there, he took the brothers to a unit filled with thousands of dollars worth of Jiu Jitsu mats. He threw the keys to them and said it was their new BJJ academy.
The brothers told him they would never pay rent, but Chuck told them he owned the mall. He didn’t charge them rent and allowed them to develop an incredible academy.
Chuck also joked that he gave them the academy because he was tired of driving in Redondo Beach.
The Machado brothers open a second school
Carlos and his brother’s school was so popular that they were overloaded with new Jiu Jitsu students. This would cause them to quickly open a second Machado Brother Jiu Jitsu academy.
Their new academy would be located near Carlos’ home in Redondo Beach. The brothers agreed that Carlos, Rigan and Roger would lead the new school, while Jean Jacques and John would lead the original.
Carlos Machado moves to Texas
After years of successful academies with his brothers in California, Carlos has made a decision. He wanted to branch out and create his own Jiu Jitsu academy. With his brother’s blessing, Carlos would travel to Texas.
Chuck Norris helps Carlos Machado open his academy
Once again, Carlos’ friend Chuck Norris would help him start building his Jiu Jitsu school. Norris would allow Carlos to give lessons at the studio where Walker: Texas Ranger was filmed.
To further help Carlos and his brothers grow their schools, Chuck would make them guest stars on the show several times. Carlos would find a location for his academy and open the Carlos Machado Jiu Jitsu Academy.
Carlos Machado Jiu Jitsu becomes an affiliation
After opening his Jiu Jitsu academy in 1995, Carlos Machado’s academy would explode in popularity. His school would soon become a full Jiu Jitsu affiliation.
Schools affiliated with Carlos Machado Jiu Jitsu are now present in more than twenty states in the United States and in four countries around the world.
Competitive career of Carlos Machado
Carlos is best known as an instructor, but at one time he was one of BJJ’s top competitors. Before settling permanently in the United States, Carlos Machado was an impressive competitor.
He won the Rio de Janeiro state championship ten years in a row, in addition to winning the national title. When he moved to the United States, he briefly quit competition to focus on growing his brother’s academy.
Later, when Jiu Jitsu competitions began to be held, Carlos would return to competition. Winning the Pan American Jiu-Jitsu Championship in 1997 and 1998.
Meanwhile throughout 1999, Carlos would also participate in many superfights during this time.
His last competitive victory was the World Masters Championship which took place in 2000. Carlos would win double gold at the event and announce his official retirement from competition.
Carlos Machado promoted to Coral Belt
In 2012, at an annual Machado Brothers Jiu Jitsu camp, Carlos would receive a surprise. To mark his 28th year as a black belt, he would have the honor of receiving his Coral Belt.
Become one of the few in the world to become a 7th degree black belt. He received this belt with all his brothers present to congratulate him.
Carlos Machado promoted to red and white belt
Ten years after receiving his Coral Belt, Carlos was in for another surprise. Marking nearly forty years as a black belt, Carlos would receive his white and red belt.
The 8th degree BJJ black belt is the second highest rank anyone can attain in the martial art.
Carlos Machado’s Most Prominent BJJ Students
In nearly forty years as an instructor, Carlos Machado has taught tens of thousands of students. Including thousands of black belts from around the world.
Some of his most prominent students include
- Chuck Norris
- Travis Lutter
- Anthony Peroch
- Elvis Sinosic
- Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson
He also originally taught former BJJ World Champion Rafael Lovato Jr before moving to Saul Ribeiro’s school of Jiu Jitsu.
The legacy of Carlos Machado
Carlos Machado has done pretty much everything you can do in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He won numerous championships and opened a successful school, which grew into an international affiliation.
But what he has done most importantly is above all to be an incredible ambassador of the martial art. Without Carlos Machado and his brothers, Jiu Jitsu might not have become as popular as it is today. Master Carlos is not only a great martial artist, but also an amazing person.
