Jean Jacques Machado is a legend of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and a world class coach who has won many honors and has dominated the BJJ scene in America and in other parts of the world. He is one of the famous five Machado brothers and his other siblings are Carlos, Roger, Rigan and John. Jean Jacques Machado is also related to the famous Carlos Gracie Jr and was one of the top students of this BJJ maestro in the 1980s.
Early life
Machado was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and spent his early years in this south American country. He suffered birth defects and this left him with just two fingers on his left hand. It is a testimony to the determination and fighting spirit of this great grappler that this handicap did not stop him from becoming one of the greatest grapplers of his time.
Introduction to BJJ
Machado started his Jiu-Jitsu training early in life because of his relationship with the Gracie family. Jean Jacques Machado and his brothers initially trained with their cousin, Carlinhos Gracie. At this time, Gracie was a coach at the Rolls Gracie academy. Eventually, Gracie moved to Barra da Tijuca and Jean Jacques Machado and his brothers moved with him. It was here that Machado became an assistant coach and trained with some men that will later become famous in the BJJ world. Some of these famous men are “Gordo”, “Helio Soneca” , “Soca” and many other grapplers.
Titles won by Machado
Jean Jacques Machado won many professional titles during his illustrious career. Some of these titles are the Rio de Janeiro State Championships where he held the Cruiserweight title for 11 consecutive years (1982-1992). He was also the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Cruiserweight Champion during the same period. In 1993 1994, he won the Sambo Wrestling Championships. He was the National and Pan American Cruiserweight Champion and took the first place in Oklahoma (1993) and San Diego California (1994). In 1995, he won the Grappling Style Challenge in Japan and reigned for 4 consecutive years as the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Champion (1995-1998). Machado also won the Black Belt Super Challenge Championships in 1998 and in 2000.
Promotion to 7th degree
On June 6 2011, Jean Jacques Machado was promoted to the 7th degree red-and-black belt. This ceremony was held at the Rickson Gracie academy in Los Angeles and was in recognition of Machado’s contributions to BJJ.
Present situation
Jean Jacques Machado lives in the US and has coached movie stars like Chuck Norris and Steven Segal. He is an internationally respected coach, instructor and competitor. He is definitely one of the heroes of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
