Carlos Machado is the eldest of the five famous Machado brothers and was just awarded with his red and white belt, commonly referred to as the coral belt, from all four of his siblings at the same time. The promotion was given at a huge ceremony with hundreds of grapplers in attendance to pay respect to the man who contributed so much to all of their BJJ journeys. While it was John Machado who started the speech and gave his brother the belt, Rigan, Roger, and Jean-Jacques were all present to help tie it around his waist in the end.
Throughout his childhood and early life in Jiu-Jitsu, his main instructor was his cousin, Carlos Gracie Jr but he has also trained with Helio, Carlson, Rolls and Rickson Gracie at various points during his development. Long before he ever came anywhere near his coral belt, Carlos Machado was making the move to America in his late twenties. This proved to be a pivotal moment not just in his own growth but also in the growth of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as a sport. It was here that he would meet Chuck Norris, the man that would prove instrumental in promoting the Machado lineage through the United States.
In the decades that followed these humble beginnings, Carlos Machado has turned one school in the States into dozens of them spread around the world. Now his network includes gyms in most parts of the United States, Mexico, Canada, and even Australia. Throughout his decades of teaching, he’s had several students who’ve gone on to huge things in both Jiu-Jitsu, and MMA, like Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson, Elvis Sinosic, and Rafael Lovato Jr.
The full video of his promotion ceremony was uploaded onto Carlos Machado’s official YouTube channel:
The belt was originally to be awarded by 9th degree red belt, Grandmaster Francisco Mansur. Unfortunately, Grandmaster Mansur was hospitalized in Brazil with Covid-19. He is no longer in the hospital, but he is still recovering and was unable to fly out of Brazil to be here in person for the ceremony. Master John Machado gave a wonderful speech and presented the red and white belt to Master Carlos. Three of Carlos Machado’s first black belts, Travis Lutter, Clay Pittman, and Roberto Kaelin were present to help tie the belt.