In a revealing interview on the JAXXON PODCAST, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu legend Rigan Machado made the astonishing claim that he holds an undefeated record of 365-0 in fights throughout his competitive career.
During the conversation with hosts Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and Mat, Machado reflected on his dominant period in martial arts, stating, “In my generation when they used to compete, the two guys who was considered to be the best was Rickson and me. And we control the sport at the time. Like I have almost 365 fights. No loss. I won for 10 years straight.”
The Coral Belt went on to describe the intensity of his competition schedule, saying, “I have 19 fights in one day at the time. 19 fights. 19 fights in four division.”
Machado, one of the five Machado brothers who brought Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to America alongside their Gracie cousins, detailed his rigorous training regimen that supported such an impressive record.
“We train, I train three times a day. I train evening. I have the best camps, toughest guy. I try do forest parties every day. I was mentally physically ready to fight,” he explained.
When asked about the secret to his success, Machado simply attributed it to his dedication: “I just spend time on the mat. In a sport, 95% was a sport, 5% was techniques.”
This is very similar to a claim Rickson Gracie made which even his own father disputed. Rickson Gracie has long touted an unblemished record of 400-0, but that claim is contested by Dr. Ron Tripp, a decorated judo and sambo competitor who defeated Gracie in a 1993 sambo match at the U.S. Sambo Championships in Norman, Oklahoma. Tripp, unaware of Gracie‘s fame at the time, recalled their brief encounter where he won with a clean throw that earned a full point under sambo rules. Although Gracie later disputed the loss and claimed he protested the result, Tripp maintains the win was legitimate. The match, largely overlooked at the time, has since become a point of contention among martial arts enthusiasts, casting a shadow of doubt over Gracie‘s mythic undefeated legacy.
The interview also covered Machado‘s family connections to the Gracie family, his relationship with Chuck Norris, who helped establish the Machado brothers in America, and his transition to Hollywood as a fight choreographer and now film director.
Machado is currently promoting his directorial debut, which features UFC star Paulo Costa and premieres April 28th at the Chinese Theater in Hollywood.
