Gustavo Machado is a grappling instructor, founder of the Gustavo Machado Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Association, and a black belt under Roberto Corrêa (Gordo), who also worked extensively with Jean Jacques Machado and Carlos Gracie Junior. Gustavo had a successful competitive career as a colored belt in his native country of Brazil, later cementing his name in the professional circuit, in 2002 with a bronze medal at the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation's Pan American Championship.