History 

      Machado Brothers 

The Machado Brothers have developed their system of Jiu-Jitsu (gentle art) over the last 25 years. The Jiu-Jitsu they learned in Brazil has been refined by their clan into a modern and unique style which is increasingly popular in the United States.  
 
Emanating from Brazil, their family has demonstrated the effectiveness of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in many "no rules" tournaments. The Machado Brothers, advancing their spirit of a top-quality fighting style tempered with humility and friendship, have kept away from these types of violent and decisive exhibitions. They have demonstrated their superiority on the mat, winning numerous Brazilian championships and national and world titles in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Russian Sambo and even western wrestling. The system is rooted in one-on-one ground fighting, achieving superior position for joint locks, chokes and strikes.

 
Since basing themselves in the United States, the Brothers have continued to develop their grappling style, branching out into all styles of grappling in search of new techniques and concepts. 

The Machado’s" philosophy is not to prove or impose their system onto other styles or martial artists. Their main concern is to share what they have, always with their minds open for new ideas. This attitude has helped the Machado’s" to establish themselves in the martial arts community and given them many friends and followers. Their attitude of balance is reflected not only in the way they fight, but also in the healthy lifestyle they have adopted since childhood. The Machado brothers remain very close and are a great example of how family is important.  

      Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

In the early 1900's, a Japanese jiu-jitsu instructor by the name of Mitsuyo Maeda went to the state of Para in Northern Brazil. There he befriended Gastao Gracie, an influential businessman, who helped the Japanese get established. To show his gratitude, Maeda, also known as "Count Koma," offered to teach the traditional Japanese jiu-jitsu to Gastao's oldest son, Carlos.

Carlos Gracie was born in 1901 to Gastão Gracie, a Brazilian scholar and politician, and became an accomplished scholar and politician in his own right. He is considered to be the creator of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. Carlos Gracie was one of five brothers, the smallest and thinnest, yet his brothers never defeated him. His brothers were Osvaldo, Gastão, Jorge, and Helio. He was raised in a wealthy family, and he became a student of Maeda when he was 19. Maeda arrived at the State of Pará in the northeast of Brazil. In Pará, Maeda met a business-oriented friend of an influential man, Gastão Gracie, that helped the Japanese establish a settlement in Brazil. To demonstrate his gratitude, Maeda, also known as Conde Koma, taught the traditional art of the Japanese Jiu-Jitsu to the son oldest of Gastão, Carlos. Carlos' father, Gastão, introduced Carlos to Maeda, and eventually, Carlos taught his brothers Jiu-Jitsu. Carlos and his brothers made a name for the family by fighting in demonstrations and street fights using Jiu-Jitsu. Carlos only took one year of lessons from Maeda. However, Carlos continued studies with other students of Maeda as he developed his own style based on his real fighting experiences.

Carlos Gracie was very interested in street fighting and boxing and quickly modified many of the classical techniques he learned from Count Koma to meet the demands of "no-rules" fighting in the streets of Brazil. The young Carlos Gracie started testing and refining his system through constant matches, open to all comers, continually working to make it more effective and lethal. At one point, he even began advertising in newspapers and on street corners for new opponents upon whom to practice and further refine his art. Carlos Gracie fought anyone and everyone who was willing, regardless of size, weight or fighting style. Although he was a mere 135 pounds, his style was so effective that Carlos Gracie was never defeated and became legendary in Brazil. His most famous fight was against a Japanese man named "Giomori." Carlos tied with his larger opponent according to Carley Gracie. Reylson Gracie, in an interview, said that Carlos and "Giomori" fought twice, "once by the rules, the second time no holds barred. Both times they tied." As Maeda challenged other schools, Gracie Jiu-Jitsu players also challenged other schools. Carlos spent all of his time establishing Gracie Jiu-Jitsu and let his brothers do the fighting with other schools to improve their technique.

After Carlos retired from the ring, he managed the fight careers of his brothers and sons, continuing to challenge fighters of all styles throughout the world. This tradition of open challenge has been continued by his sons, grandsons, brothers, nephews, and students who have consistently demonstrated the superiority of the Gracie style in real fights and no-rules matches in rings throughout the world. Along with managing his family members, he is also the creator of the famous Gracie diet, which is based on eating only certain foods together in order to aid digestion, give maximum energy, and keep people in great health. Carlos Gracie died in 1994 at the age of 92.