Actor Ashton Kutcher has reached the pinnacle of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu achievement, earning his black belt after over a decade of dedicated training under renowned instructor Rigan Machado.
Machado posted about Kutcher receiving his black belt on social media.
The milestone marks the culmination of a journey that began in 2012 when Kutcher first stepped onto the mats in Brazil.
The Hollywood star’s commitment to the martial art has been unwavering, despite the demanding schedule of balancing a successful career with family responsibilities. According to Machado, who shared insights on the Combat Base podcast, Kutcher’s training windows are remarkably limited due to his dedication to his children.
“A lot of these guys wake up so early because of their families and businesses. After 8:00, they don’t have time anymore. Ashton Kutcher is one of them,” Machado explained. “His time is crazy because he has kids but doesn’t have babysitters. His wife decided not to have a babysitter to be more involved in the kids’ lives, and I have so much respect for that.”
Machado praised the couple’s hands-on parenting approach, emphasizing the importance of being present for their children’s daily routines. “The relationship you create with your kids is phenomenal, you know what I mean? Taking them to school, watching their practices—it’s unbelievable how important and healthy that is,” the instructor noted.
Kutcher’s BJJ journey began during a fashion campaign in São Paulo, Brazil, where he decided to incorporate grappling into his fitness routine. His high school wrestling background provided a solid foundation that would accelerate his progress through the ranks. By early 2014, he had earned his blue belt, and remarkably, achieved his purple belt later that same year.
The rapid progression raised eyebrows within the BJJ community, but Machado was quick to defend his student’s legitimacy. Speaking about Kutcher’s abilities, he told TMZ, “Ashton Kutcher, for me, is my No. 1 student. He’s a purple belt but he has a really good background in wrestling. I think he has a chance to be one of the top guys in jiu-jitsu.”
The actor continued climbing the ranks, receiving his brown belt in 2019 after five years of consistent training. Throughout his journey, Kutcher has trained alongside elite grapplers, including ADCC silver medalist Craig Jones, who acknowledged the actor’s perseverance despite facing significant health challenges.
“Ashton had a serious medical condition. I don’t know if it was a stroke, but half his body stopped working so he couldn’t move too well,” Jones revealed, highlighting Kutcher’s determination to continue training through adversity.
Machado’s confidence in his student’s abilities has been unwavering. In 2016, when asked about a hypothetical grappling match between Kutcher and UFC icon Conor McGregor, the instructor made a bold declaration: “I put all my money [on] Ashton Kutcher. I think he could do really, really good. He’s 200 pounds, 6-2, 6-3, he’s the best.”
The legendary BJJ instructor has adapted his teaching methods to accommodate the unique schedules of his high-profile clientele. Many of his students, including Kutcher, train before dawn to fit martial arts into their busy lives. “All my students come super early. I remember Bradley Cooper came and asked, ‘Hey, can I train at 5:30 or 6 in the morning?’ I said, ‘Sure, no problem, come anytime,'” Machado recalled.
To better serve his celebrity students, Machado has increasingly shifted to private instruction at their homes. “Brother, don’t come to the academy, just put some mats over here, I come here. I’m just going to charge a little bit extra for the travel time,” he explained, noting that this arrangement provides greater convenience and privacy.
Kutcher’s black belt promotion represents more than just technical proficiency—it symbolizes years of dedication to a demanding martial art while juggling the responsibilities of parenthood and a Hollywood career.
Even podcast host Joe Rogan, himself a BJJ black belt, has validated Kutcher’s credentials, stating, “If Ashton Kutcher got a purple belt from Rigan Machado, that shit is legit.”
The achievement places Kutcher among an elite group of celebrity practitioners who have reached the highest levels of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
