Their familial ties to the Gracies are through their mother's sister Layr, who was married to Carlos Gracie, making them first cousins to Carlos Gracie, Jr. and his siblings, and affinal cousins to the rest of the second generation of Gracie martial artists. Along with their Gracie cousins, the Machados are pioneers of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in the United States. They are according to age, Carlos, Roger, Rigan, Jean Jacques and John. The Machados have opened Brazilian jiu-jitsu schools throughout the United States. The Machados were taught mainly by their cousin Carlos Jr., his half-brotherRolls Gracie, and Carlos and Rolls' father, Carlos Gracie. The brothers also trained with other notable members of the Gracie family, including Helio, Carlson, Rickson, Renzo, Crolin and Rilion. From there the Machados would develop a Brazilian jiu-jitsu that would be called RCJ Machado Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Carlos opened schools throughout the United States, as well as in Mexico, England, France, and Australia. Jean Jacques, Roger, and Rigan currently run schools in California. John Machado left California in 2014 and opened a school in Allen, Texas that same year.
The family now trains BJJ competitors and mixed martial arts fighters in organizations such as UFC, WEC, and Strikeforce. As a family, they have trained numerous BJJ competition champions. Carlos currently trains UFC welterweight Stephen Thompson and has awarded black belts to former UFC Middleweight Contender Travis Lutter and BJJ Champion Rafael Lovato Jr.. Rigan has awarded black belts to notable students Erik Paulson, Dan Inosanto, Josh Barnett Jair Muniz and Chuck Norris. Additionally, Rigan Machado was one of the original teachers in Rorion Gracie's garage in Torrance, CA in the early days of Brazilian jiu-jitsu in America and has awarded black belts to 6 of the original "dirty dozen". These notable members of the "Dirty Dozen" include John Will, Bob Bass, Chris Haueter, IBJJF Senior Division/Pan American ChampionDavid Meyer, Rick Williams and Rick Minter. Jean-Jacques had also helped in awarding black belts to John Will and Dan Inosanto with Rigan, and has also awarded black belts to "no gi" proponent Eddie Bravo, comedian & UFC commentator Joe Rogan, Women's World championFelicia Oh, and former UFC heavyweight champion Ricco Rodriguez.
Carlos Machado - 8th Degree Red & Black belt. Oldest of the five brothers.
Roger Machado - 7th Degree Black Belt. Second oldest among the brothers. Roger is an avid yoga practitioner and considered to be the "zen master" of the family.
Rigan Machado - 8th Degree Red & Black Belt. Third oldest of the five brothers. From the age of 14 through 21, Rigan won the Brazilian National Championships every year and in every belt division.
Jean Jacques Machado - 7th Degree Red & Black Belt. Fourth oldest of the five brothers. He held the Rio de Janeiro Jiu-Jitsu State Championships Cruiser Weight Champion and Brazilian jiu-jitsu National Championships Cruiser Weight Champion from 1982 to 1992.He is a multiple time ADCC Champion.
John Machado - 7th Degree Red & Black Belt. Youngest of the five brothers. From 1993–1994 Pan American GamesSambo champion.
Film and television
The Machado family has worked in the film and television industry acting and choreographing fight scenes. In 2003 all five brothers starred together in the straight to video release Brazilian Brawl. The Machado brothers have helped train actors Ashton Kutcher and Keanu Reeves for his role in John Wick 2.
