Description

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu grandmaster and member of the Machado family. He is a 9th degree red belt promoted by Rorion Gracie and a former Pan American champion. He was one of Chuck Norris's primary BJJ instructors and taught Norris for over 30 years. Norris helped Rigan obtain US citizenship and opened a free academy in his mall in Tarzana, California.

Teachers (2)

• 
  Rolls Gracie

  sports_martial_artsBrazilian jiu-jitsu Probable

  Probable

  BJJ Heroes states Rigan started training with Rolls Gracie in his mid-teens and stayed with him until Rolls' death in 1982; the Wikipedia infobox also lists Rolls Gracie among his teachers

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

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  1 source expand_more

  fact_check

  BJJ Heroes states Rigan started training with Rolls Gracie in his mid-teens and stayed with him until Rolls' death in 1982; the Wikipedia infobox also lists Rolls Gracie among his teachers

  “He started training with one of his older cousins, who was already a legend of the sport, Rolls Gracie, and stayed with Rolls until his tragic death in 1982.”

  — BJJ Heroes. Rigan Machado (BJJ Heroes). BJJ Heroes link history info
• 
  Carlos Gracie Jr.

  sports_martial_artsBrazilian jiu-jitsu Confirmed

  Confirmed

  BJJ Heroes states Rigan became the first-ever Carlos Gracie Jr. black belt and lists the lineage Carlos Gracie Sr. > Helio Gracie > Carlos Gracie Junior > Rigan Machado; Wikipedia repeats the same claim but derives it from BJJ Heroes, so it is corroboration rather than an independent source

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

  (1982)

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  2 sources expand_more

  fact_check

  BJJ Heroes states Rigan became the first-ever Carlos Gracie Jr. black belt and lists the lineage Carlos Gracie Sr. > Helio Gracie > Carlos Gracie Junior > Rigan Machado; Wikipedia repeats the same claim but derives it from BJJ Heroes, so it is corroboration rather than an independent source

  “shortly after Rigan Machado became the first-ever Carlos Gracie Junior black belt.”

  — BJJ Heroes. Rigan Machado (BJJ Heroes). BJJ Heroes link history info

  “Machado was awarded the first black belt under Gracie Barra founder Carlos Gracie Jr.”

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

Lineage

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

Ranks (1)

• sports_martial_artsBrazilian jiu-jitsu

  receipt_longRed belt, degree 9 Confirmed

  Confirmed

  The promotion to 9th degree red belt by Rorion Gracie is documented in primary footage (ceremony video and Instagram announcement) and corroborated by jitsmagazine, the official riganbjj.com page, and Wikipedia; date of April 10, 2026 per Wikipedia

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

  BJJ Ranking System (2026-04-10)

  granted by Rorion Gracie

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  5 sources expand_more

  fact_check

  The promotion to 9th degree red belt by Rorion Gracie is documented in primary footage (ceremony video and Instagram announcement) and corroborated by jitsmagazine, the official riganbjj.com page, and Wikipedia; date of April 10, 2026 per Wikipedia

  “Rigan Machado and Erik Paulson are both BJJ legends and they just reached the next level together, as they were promoted to red belt and coral belt respectively.”

  — Williams, Jackson. (2026). Rigan Machado Promoted To Red Belt And Erik Paulson Promoted To Coral Belt (Jitsmagazine). Jits Magazinelink history info

  visibilityFirst-hand

  “Rigan Machado, 9th Degree Red Belt”

  — Rigan Machado Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Association. Rigan Machado - Rigan Machado Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Associationlink history info

  visibilityFirst-hand

  “Rigan Machado atingiu um novo patamar na história do Jiu-jitsu ao ser graduado faixa vermelha 9º grau pelo mestre Rorion Gracie, em uma cerimónia realizada na Califórnia.”

  — Rigan Machado promotion announcement (Instagram) link info

  visibilityFirst-hand

  “Rigan Receives His Red Belt”

  — Rigan Receives His Red Belt (YouTube)link

  “On April 10, 2026 Rigan was promoted to 9th degree (Red Belt) by Rorion Gracie.”

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

Students (1)

• 
  Chuck Norris

  sports_martial_artsBrazilian jiu-jitsu Confirmed

  Confirmed

  Rigan Machado was one of Norris's BJJ instructors for over 30 years; Norris helped Rigan obtain US citizenship and open his academy; confirmed by multiple sources

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

  (1989)

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  2 sources expand_more

  fact_check

  Rigan Machado was one of Norris's BJJ instructors for over 30 years; Norris helped Rigan obtain US citizenship and open his academy; confirmed by multiple sources

  “When he started training, he wanted to train every day [...] He put mats in his house. I started going to his house, training every day”

  — Chuck Norris' Legendary Jiu-Jitsu Coach Rigan Machado, Rickson Gracie Talk Legacy (TMZ)link

  “Notable students [...] Chuck Norris”

  — Rigan Machado (Wikipedia EN)link history info

Sources

Identifiers