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 (2nd Degree) 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" (the first 12 non-Brazilian students to receive black belts in the art). These notable members of the "Dirty Dozen" include
John Will, Bob Bass,
Chris Haueter, IBJJF Senior Division/Pan American Champion David 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 champion
Felicia Oh, and former UFC heavyweight champion
Ricco Rodriguez.
Machado Jiu-Jitsu The Brazilian Jiu Jitsu style of the Machado family differs from the Gracie style, as it is more physical and it focuses more on blocking and positioning the opponent on the ground rather than submitting him. The practitioner's position start mostly from a standing position to execute efficient and fluid movements more easily and uses a variety of active guards and open guards. Its built primarily on offensive techniques, and most of them are based on takedowns (like double-leg and single-leg), trips and sweeps. ==Instructor lineage==