Rigan Machado
Rigan Machado’s path from early family training to ADCC results continues at his Beverly Hills academy.
Biography
Sources for this profile
The Academy Beverly Hills, “Rigan Machado,” undated, retrieved 2026-09-12.(opens in a new tab)
Born in 1966, Rigan Machado is identified by The Academy Beverly Hills as one of five Machado brothers; its profile says he began learning jiu-jitsu with Gracie cousins at five and became serious about training and competition at fourteen.
Where in the source: RIGAN MACHADO — biography paragraph covering his family, early training, and age fourteen.
Accessed:
Machado’s academy describes him as Carlos Gracie Jr.’s first black belt and as an original instructor who taught in Rorion Gracie’s garage during the early development of Brazilian jiu-jitsu in the United States.
Where in the source: RIGAN MACHADO — paragraph on his first black belt and Rorion Gracie’s garage.
Accessed:
ADCC Submission Fighting World Championship 1999, official results, ADCC Federation, 1999.(opens in a new tab)
ADCC’s official 1999 results list Rigan Machado fourth in the under-99-kilogram division.
Where in the source: 1999 RESULTS — under-99kg table, fourth-place row for Rigan Machado.
Accessed:
ADCC Submission Fighting World Championship 2000, official results, ADCC Federation, 2000.(opens in a new tab)
ADCC’s official 2000 results list Rigan Machado as the bronze medalist in the over-99-kilogram division.
Where in the source: 2000 RESULTS — over-99kg table, bronze row for Rigan Machado.
Accessed:
Rigan Machado Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Association, “Official US Schools,” undated, retrieved 2026-09-12.(opens in a new tab)
The Rigan Machado Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Association’s school directory lists Rigan Machado as owner and instructor of The Academy in Beverly Hills, California.
Where in the source: Official US Schools — California, Beverly Hills row naming Rigan Machado and The Academy.
Accessed:
Rigan Machado Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Association, home page, undated, retrieved 2026-09-12.(opens in a new tab)
The association says its affiliate academies use certified Machado instructors and belt testing according to Rigan Machado’s standards.
Where in the source: Association home — paragraphs on affiliate academies, certified instructors, and belt testing.
Accessed:
Competition results
| Year | Event | Result | Division |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | ADCC 2000Source: adcombat.com+99 kgNo-giVerified | 3rd place | +99 kgNo-giVerified |
| 1999 | ADCC 1999Source: adcombat.com-99 kgNo-giVerified | 4th place | -99 kgNo-giVerified |