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

  linkBrazilian jiu-jitsu 3

  Confirmed

  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

  expand_morefact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  1 source

  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

  assessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  "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 linkinfo
• 
  Carlos Gracie Jr.

  linkBrazilian jiu-jitsu 3

  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

  (1982)

  expand_morefact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  2 sources

  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

  assessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

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

  — BJJ Heroes. Rigan Machado (BJJ Heroes). BJJ Heroes linkinfo

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

  — Wikipedia contributors. (2026). Rigan Machado. Wikipedia (English)linkinfo

Ranks (1)

• linkBrazilian jiu-jitsu

  receipt_longRed belt, degree 9 3

  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

  BJJ Ranking System (2026-04-10)

  granted by Rorion Gracie

  expand_morefact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  5 sources

  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

  assessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  "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 Magazinelinkinfo

  "Rigan Machado, 9th Degree Red Belt"

  — Rigan Machado - Rigan Machado Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Associationlink

  "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

  "Rigan receives his red belt [from Rorion]"

  — 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)linkinfo

Students (1)

• 
  Chuck Norris

  linkBrazilian jiu-jitsu 3

  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

  (1989)

  expand_morefact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  2 sources

  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

  assessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  "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

  Rigan Machado (Wikipedia EN)linkinfo

Sources