Jean Jacques Machado · Lineage tree

Description

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner and ADCC Hall of Fame inductee (2024). One of the five Machado brothers. He is a nephew of Carlos Gracie and an ADCC Submission Wrestling World Champion. Chuck Norris helped the Machado brothers open their first jiu-jitsu school in the United States.

Teachers (2)

• 
  Carlos Gracie Jr.

  sports_martial_artsBrazilian jiu-jitsu Confirmed

  Confirmed

  The JJM Association states Machado was awarded his black belt at age 18 by Carlos Gracie Jr.; BJJ Heroes notes he trained with Carlos Jr. at Rolls Gracie's academy; Rickson Gracie's memoir states Carlos Jr. had him listed as his student in 1986.

  The evidence establishes the claim: it is sufficient and consistent, and any conflicting evidence is resolved.

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  3 sources expand_more

  fact_check

  The JJM Association states Machado was awarded his black belt at age 18 by Carlos Gracie Jr.; BJJ Heroes notes he trained with Carlos Jr. at Rolls Gracie's academy; Rickson Gracie's memoir states Carlos Jr. had him listed as his student in 1986.

  visibilityFirst-hand

  “He was awarded his Black Belt at 18 years old by Carlos Gracie Jr.”

  — Jean Jacques Machado Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Association. Jean Jacques Machado - Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Associationlink history info

  “Regarded as one of Carlos Gracie Junior's top students in the 1980's”

  — BJJ Heroes. Jean Jacques Machado (BJJ Heroes). BJJ Heroeslink history info

  visibilityFirst-hand

  “I was surprised to see that Carlos Gracie Jr. had my cousins Rigan Machado and Jean Jacques Machado listed as his students.”

  — Rickson Gracie; Peter Maguire. (2021-06-02). Breathe: A Life in Flowinfo
• 
  Rickson Gracie

  sports_martial_artsBrazilian jiu-jitsu Confirmed

  Confirmed

  Rickson Gracie's own memoir names him as his student and describes his training in Rio as a teenager.

  The evidence establishes the claim: it is sufficient and consistent, and any conflicting evidence is resolved.

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  3 sources expand_more

  fact_check

  Rickson Gracie's own memoir names him as his student and describes his training in Rio as a teenager.

  visibilityFirst-hand

  “I got to know Jean Jacques well when he was a teenager and began to travel to Rio to train with me.”

  — Rickson Gracie; Peter Maguire. (2021-06-02). Breathe: A Life in Flowinfo

  visibilityFirst-hand

  “I had not trained with the Machado brothers in a while, but they were also my students.”

  — Rickson Gracie; Peter Maguire. (2021-06-02). Breathe: A Life in Flowinfo

  “Jean Jacques decided to learn from him instead. As a young teenager, Machado would take the train from his home in Teresopolis to Rio and spend entire days watching his cousin teach private lessons, observing and absorbing every detail.”

  — Maguire, Peter. (2026-06-05). Jean Jacques Machado link history info

Lineage

• Brazilian jiu-jitsuCarlos Gracie Jr. ← Rolls Gracie ← Carlson Gracie ← Carlos Gracie · 4 generations

Ranks (3)

• sports_martial_artsBrazilian jiu-jitsu

  receipt_longBlack belt Probable

  Probable

  Machado's own association and his own Instagram post state it; no record from Carlos Gracie Jr. or an independent source.

  The evidence favours the claim and nothing credible contradicts it, but it falls short of establishing it.

  BJJ Ranking System

  granted by Carlos Gracie Jr.

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  3 sources expand_more

  fact_check

  Machado's own association and his own Instagram post state it; no record from Carlos Gracie Jr. or an independent source.

  visibilityFirst-hand

  “He was awarded his Black Belt at 18 years old by Carlos Gracie Jr.”

  — Jean Jacques Machado Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Association. Jean Jacques Machado - Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Associationlink history info

  visibilityFirst-hand

  “A lot of years ago when I received my black belt from my cousin and master Carlos Gracie Jr.”

  — Jean Jacques Machado. (2021-09-20). Jean Jacques Machado Instagram post on receiving his black belt from Carlos Gracie Jr. (2021-09-20)link info

  “Shortly after receiving his blackbelt in 1992, Jean Jacques Machado moved to the United States”

  — Maguire, Peter. (2026-06-05). Jean Jacques Machado link history info

  receipt_longRed-and-black belt, degree 7 Confirmed

  Confirmed

  JJM Association and Wikipedia both state Machado received his 7th degree coral belt from Rickson Gracie on June 6, 2011

  The evidence establishes the claim: it is sufficient and consistent, and any conflicting evidence is resolved.

  BJJ Ranking System (2011-06-06)

  granted by Rickson Gracie

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  3 sources expand_more

  fact_check

  JJM Association and Wikipedia both state Machado received his 7th degree coral belt from Rickson Gracie on June 6, 2011

  visibilityFirst-hand

  “In 2011 Jean Jacques was awarded his Coral Belt (7th degree Red/Black) by none other than legendary master Rickson Gracie.”

  — Jean Jacques Machado Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Association. Jean Jacques Machado - Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Associationlink history info

  “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.”

  — Wikipedia contributors. (2026). Jean Jacques Machado. Wikipedia (English)link history info

  “Rickson Gracie awards Jean Jacques Machado his red and black coral belt.”

  — Maguire, Peter. (2026-06-05). Jean Jacques Machado link history info

  receipt_longRed-and-black belt, degree 8 Confirmed

  Confirmed

  Jitsmagazine reports Machado was promoted to 8th degree coral belt by Rickson Gracie, announced on his official Instagram; Wikipedia gives the date of March 29, 2025

  The evidence establishes the claim: it is sufficient and consistent, and any conflicting evidence is resolved.

  BJJ Ranking System (2025-03-29)

  granted by Rickson Gracie

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  2 sources expand_more

  fact_check

  Jitsmagazine reports Machado was promoted to 8th degree coral belt by Rickson Gracie, announced on his official Instagram; Wikipedia gives the date of March 29, 2025

  “BJJ legend Jean Jacques Machado has just been promoted to 8th degree coral belt by a fellow legendary grappler from the era just before his, Rickson Gracie.”

  — de Souza, Diogo. (2025). Jean Jacques Machado Promoted To 8th Degree Coral Belt By Rickson Gracie (Jitsmagazine). Jits Magazinelink history info

  “He then received the 8th degree on his black belt from Rickson Gracie on March 29, 2025.”

  — Wikipedia contributors. (2026). Jean Jacques Machado. Wikipedia (English)link history info

Students (3)

• 
  Joe Rogan

  sports_martial_artsBrazilian jiu-jitsu Confirmed

  Confirmed

  Viking BJJ and BJJ Equipment, two independent articles, both directly state Jean Jacques Machado awarded Rogan his gi black belt

  The evidence establishes the claim: it is sufficient and consistent, and any conflicting evidence is resolved.

  (1997)

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  2 sources expand_more

  fact_check

  Viking BJJ and BJJ Equipment, two independent articles, both directly state Jean Jacques Machado awarded Rogan his gi black belt

  “He was awarded his black belt by Jean Jacques Machado in the gi”

  — Ryan, Sean. (2025). Behind the Scenes: Where and How Joe Rogan Trains Brazilian Jiu Jitsulink history info

  “In 2010, Joe received 2 black belts: his gi black belt from Jean Jacques Machado”

  — Joe Rogan Jiu-Jitsu: The Complete Story (In-Depth Breakdown)link history info
• person
  Eddie Bravo

  sports_martial_artsBrazilian jiu-jitsu Probable

  Probable

  Eddie Bravo earned his black belt under Jean Jacques Machado, well-documented in multiple sources

  The evidence favours the claim and nothing credible contradicts it, but it falls short of establishing it.

  (1995–2003)

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  1 source expand_more

  fact_check

  Eddie Bravo earned his black belt under Jean Jacques Machado, well-documented in multiple sources

  “4th degree black belt in BJJ under Jean Jacques Machado”

  — Eddie Bravo (Wikipedia EN)link history
• 
  Chuck Norris

  sports_martial_artsBrazilian jiu-jitsu Confirmed

  Confirmed

  Jean Jacques Machado was part of the Machado brothers team that taught Norris; Norris helped them open their school

  The evidence establishes the claim: it is sufficient and consistent, and any conflicting evidence is resolved.

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  2 sources expand_more

  fact_check

  Jean Jacques Machado was part of the Machado brothers team that taught Norris; Norris helped them open their school

  “We have one amazing human being and student, which happens to be Chuck Norris”

  — Jean Jacques Machado Pays Tribute to Chuck Norris for Launching Their Jiu-Jitsu School (BJJDoc)link

  “Notable students [...] Chuck Norris”

  — Jean Jacques Machado (Wikipedia EN)link history info

Sources

Identifiers