Rigan Machado: 9th Degree Red Belt on the Jiu Jitsu Dummies Podcast

/ About episode 194

Rigan Machado has been teaching Brazilian Jiu Jitsu since before most of us knew what a guard pass was. He sat down in the studio with Milton and Ben, along with Larry Shealy, who runs Rigan's Mach5 Union, and gave us 90 minutes of history, war stories and opinions you will not get in a technique video.

Rigan talks about growing up training with his Gracie cousins, why early BJJ in the United States meant going to military bases and choking people to prove it worked, what has changed in competition since his era, and what it was like training more than 450 celebrities. Then we asked the question nobody else had the guts to ask.

/ What we talked about

3:38 Why Mach5 Union exists
Rigan explains how a Brazilian group that united about 200 small schools inspired Mach5, and why independent academies are stronger together.

9:14 A real standard for belt promotions
A belt system built on mat time, knowledge and sparring, not business. Larry shares that 39% of BJJ schools worldwide are unaffiliated.

19:32 108 countries and 1,235 seminars
How BJJ has spread around the world, and why Rigan is booked about a year and a half out.

24:22 The early days of BJJ in America
The early UFC, the Gracie wins, and helping bring tournaments back to California.

28:21 Proving it works
Sparring on Navy, Marine and Army bases, academy challenges, and a Johannesburg tough guy who got choked. Repeatedly.

44:13 19 fights in one day
As a purple belt in Brazil, Rigan entered every division he could. The medal was not the point.

47:11 Growing up with the Gracie family
Training two and three times a day with his cousins, pushed by Helio and Carlos Gracie.

50:43 Then vs. now
Why today's athletes are better, an armbar with 30 seconds left, and how belts and stripes used to work.

59:33 Training Hollywood
450+ celebrities, 15 years with Ashton Kutcher before his black belt, and training Chadwick Boseman for Black Panther.

1:15:08 Rapid fire
Gi or no gi, takedowns, training music, and the movie he directed.

/ The belt question

Does Rigan Machado wash his belt?

No. Rigan said he never washes his belt. He called it tradition and said he likes the idea of the belt eventually just disappearing. Hear it at 1:22:45.

/ Quick questions

Who is Rigan Machado?

Rigan Machado is a 9th degree red belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and one of the Machado brothers who helped build BJJ in the United States. He grew up training with his Gracie cousins, has taught more than 1,235 seminars in over 108 countries, and has trained more than 450 celebrities.

Who is Larry Shealy?

Larry Shealy leads Mach5 Union, Rigan Machado's organization for independent Jiu Jitsu schools. He is also an author of Kid-Jitsu and a series of personal safety books.

What is Mach5 Union?

Mach5 Union brings independent Jiu Jitsu schools together through training centers, camps, events, competition, vetted business resources and a belt promotion standard.

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/ More guest episodes

Kevin Gallagher Episode 193
He opened a gym with $10,000 after bartending, grew it to about 400 students, and still does not wash his belt. Not for tradition. He is just lazy.

Colton Smith Episode 198
The only soldier ever to compete on The Ultimate Fighter and fight in the UFC while on active duty. We asked about the fake glove touch. He answered.

Javier Vazquez Episode 190
Former UFC and WEC fighter, author of The Master Plan, and the guy who will tell you that controlling the hands fixes everything. Including your love life.

See every guest episode

/ More from the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu podcast

Jiu Jitsu Dummies is the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu podcast for people who love the sport and do not take themselves too seriously. Follow on Apple Podcasts, subscribe on YouTube, or browse every episode.