RCJ Machado Jiu Jitsu Pasadena

Fantastic instructors in a cooperative environment to make practicing fun and engaging. I was a member 10 years ago and recently returned. im glad i did. Highly recommend

Professor Roger Machado and Coach Kahlil Moreland run an excellent BJJ academy in the heart of Pasadena. Professor Roger Machado’s depth of knowledge and patience is amazing. Coach Kahlil Moreland’s involvement in the competition scene and his easy-​going demeanor makes even the most timid newcomer feel at home. Having been in the BJJ world since the 90’s and trained at many schools, I can truly say that I always learn something new in each class. RCJ Machado Pasadena is a great place to train and even better place to make your home academy.

I’m totally addicted to Jiu-​Jitsu!
Coming from a striking background (Kyokushin Karate), I have a lot of respect for martial arts, its instructors, and the bushido culture. Having practiced full contact karate for over a decade in my youth, I was instilled with the values of honor, loyalty and respect in martial practice early on. Although Bushido is a Japanese concept, Roger Machado lives and breathes its principles and has a corresponding budo precept in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, which is espoused by the entire Machado clan in their adage: «Leave your Ego at the Door.» This concept can be seen throughout each practice session on the mat.
By way of background, RCJ stands for some of the initials of the Machado Brothers: the «R» stands for Roger and Rigan, the «C» for Carlos, and the «J» for John and Jean Jacques… all legendary bad@$$es in the Brazilian Jiujitsu World. The lineage to the creator of the art, Carlos Gracie, Sr. can be easily traced since the Machados are nephews to the founder of this art. This was one of the main reasons I switched from a Gracie Barra McDojo and joined RCJ Machado Pasadena. That is, the techniques taught by the Machados are as pure as it gets to the creator of this awesome sport!
With that said, I enjoy the basics and effective techniques Roger teaches in each of his classes. Analogous to my Kyokushin practice, a strong practitioner of any art must have a strong fundamental understanding of the basics. This concept may sound crazy to new-​age BJJ practitioners who are easily impressed by all the new and flashy jiujitsu moves that are being created daily; however, on the street, basics are what wins the fight.
I am getting old, and with old age, I’ve steered away from the other current martial arts craze, Muay Thai. That is just too much punishment for my body these days. I train jiu jitsu for fun and I absolutely LOVE IT! I haven’t found any other martial art where you can go 100% (if you want to), and not go home totally banged up after each class.
Roger is always keeping a watchful eye on his students to make sure no injuries occur and in the year and a half I’ve trained (almost daily) at this school, I can’t recall any real injuries. On the contrary, I trained for about a year at a Gracie Barra before joining RCJ, and I was always getting injured there because no one was really looking out for my safety since Gracie schools allow anyone to substitute in and lead classes. That is not the case here at RCJ and Roger makes sure all his students are safe and comfortable.
The other students at the school are also very down-​to-​earth and almost all of them have become very good friends of mine. I think this is just a nature byproduct of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
This school is truly a happy and wonderful place to learn self-​defense, get exercise and forge lifelong bonds. I highly recommend this school to anyone looking to learn Jits! Hope to see you on the mats. Osss!!!

Professor Machado runs an amazing school.
I recently joined his school, only a little over a month ago. I have trained jiujitsu before for a number of years, but had been roughly 8 or so years since I was actively training. I was partly nervous of injury, but also nervous of the type of people who might train there. I have been to schools where everyone is so aggressive, injuries are common and the energy is just not conducive for how I like to learn (these types of schools certainly are important for a lot of folks, just not my preference).
I was reassured by Professor Machado that this school would be a good fit, that I tackle it my speed. I had my first class and was so impressed with the students training. Everyone is so respectful, introduced themselves to me, shook my hand and welcomed me.
Since then it has only continued with the positive energy.
This school is great for those looking to start their life of jiujitsu, as well as accomplished practitioners.
Thank you Professor! Already a positive experience in my life!

I absolutely loved training here at this dojo. I hadn’t trained in a while, so my moves were kinda rusty, but the Teacher Machado was very caring and the other students weren’t too rough. The warm up was pretty intense too! I loved it! I definitely felt it the next morning, and it was very nice! Everyone is super friendly and whenever I don’t understand something, Teacher Machado makes sure to break it down for me.
I definitely recommend this to everyone and anyone of all ages!

I have so many great things to say about this place I’m struggling with were to start. Professor Roger Machado is one of the calmest, balanced most humble instructors I have meet. These traits are embodied in his school and the guys I train with. One of the the first things Professor Machado said to me was «when you train here please leave your ego at the door.» This is not lip service this is simply the truth here. Professor Machado and the students provide a great and encouraging atmosphere to train in! In my experience, no matter what level of belt the students are in, they ALL provided me with a great positive experience. Don’t get me wrong sparring with the higher belts can be intimidating but they have given me some great insights and they are always encouraging. You just have to come with an open mind and ask questions. It is also a great work out! As a result, my children also have attend the kids classes and they love it. They love the new friends they meet. They also love the camaraderie with the other students. Professor Machado is great with kids and is extremely patient and encouraging to them. Also, Teacher Michael who assists Professor Machado with the children in the kids class is also great with the kids. I cant tell you how happy we are that we found this place.

This is a great school for individuals interested in learning the true art of Jiu-​Jitsu. Professor Machado and the students create a very safe and encouraging learning environment, even for the white belts like myself. It’s intimidating to walk into any martial arts program so I was very surprised to see what a great atmosphere Prof. Machado has created. He’s extremely patient, positive and makes you feel like you can learn at your own pace. I feel very fortunate that I am able to learn under someone of his experience and lineage.

Where to start? Roger and the RCJ school saved my life. When I walked in I was a very scared and angry mess of a man! I was over 230 pounds and ready to explode in every scene of the word. My relationships were as stressed as I was. It was then I had decided to try something that was completely opposite of any path I had ever considered. I did my research and decided to call and make that leap. When I came in and met Roger and took my first class I was so surprised and happy about just how nice and individual the instruction was. No ego just truth and impeccable knowledge taught in the kindest manor by Roger himself. It’s been almost a year now and I can honestly say I’m the happiest I’ve been in a long time. My future is much brighter and my relationships are healthier. I’ve lost about 35 pounds and gained a life with more purpose and a life long passion for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. My only regret is that I didn’t start when I was thirty years old instead of 40 years old. So much love and respect goes out to Roger and my brothers at RCJ Machado. I am forever grateful and I’ll see you soon.

I have practiced other martial arts in the past. However; Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has been the most interesting of all by far. It almost simulates a chess match when you are sparring, but most important, it teaches you in other aspects of life besides been an extraordinary body and mind exercise.
I have been a student in RCJ Machado for about five months now and I have to say that it has been an excellent journey from day one. Roger is an accomplished instructor and practitioner of the sport for over 40 years. His easy-​to-​learn approach as well as his hands-​on techniques have made my experience unparalleled. Aside from that, every student I met is down-​to-​earth and patient when it comes to explaining a technique. I am so lucky that I work a block from the studio and I can attend the morning lessons.
For those people that are being wanting to start practicing the sport, but that they haven’t done so because they are shy and afraid other advanced students might make fun of you, this is the place to begin as there are not big egos or show offs. You will see that everyone will make you feel like family from day number one. Come and try this awesome sport.

I just started BJJ here — only 3 or 4 classes so far. I have learned so much so quickly and yet do not feel overwhelmed at all. The stuff you learn is immediately practical for self defense. Roger makes it fun and keeps things low key. I recommend to anyone interested in learning BJJ.

Great workout and an opportunity to get personally trained by one of the legends of BJJ. Look no further.
Roger Machado’s attitude and teaching style are world-​class.
I’ve practiced martial arts since I was 8 and grappled for 12 years. I’ve trained in martial arts schools all over the world. The level of technique taught at this school is unmatched, and the students are a great group.
Every class is intense and fun. Go to
and call or stop in to sign up for classes. Do it now!

Great place and great guys!!! Thanks roger!!!

Let me start by saying that Roger Machado is a gentleman, and head and shoulders above the curve with profound and clear teaching of his family’s jiu jitsu.
I have been coming here for almost three years now and have been welcomed into the fold right from the get go. No one has ever made me feel like a punching bag, or tossed me around just because they could.
A small, personal, very relaxed school atmosphere, free from the traditional formal karate /​kung fu style bowing /​etc… many schools have adopted in the states.
Nothing but respect for Roger and all of his students.
If you a looking around for a school, and checking out different teachers (much like I did before I committed to a school), do your self a service and have yourself a free class with Roger Machado before you decide.

it’s like a family here… nice environment and interesting martial art.

I have been researching a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu place for awhile and had been eyeing this place. I read a positive review on Unilocal and decided to check it out. Mind you I was really intimidated. However, as soon as I joined I was in for a surprise. The guys here are super friendly and easy to talk to. Roger is so patient and everyone here wants to help you out. Being a woman, this was really very important to me. Everyone is professional. I wasn’t sure if I would enjoy it and I certainly wasn’t sure if I would stick with it. But I have for 5 months and will continue to do so. I would highly recommend this to everyone, especially to those women out there who want to try it out.

Accept no substitutes! RCJ!
Coming from the highly-​ranked Gracie Jiu Jitsu academy as a Blue Belt, I needed somewhere closer to my home. I looked past the many Gracie Barra schools in my area because I had heard about their teaching styles. To my surprise, Roger Machado Jiu Jitsu was only a mile away from my house. Shoot, I can walk there rather than driving 45 minutes to Torrance, which don’t get me wrong, is worth it. However school schedule has forced me to relocate. Anyways, the review.
The classes are curriculum oriented, providing a fast paced yet easy approach to learning Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. I like it because everyone is so helpful to each other. This way we achieve great results in a short amount of time. Skills taught are realistic for self defense and great for increasing fitness and stamina.
Roger is a great instructor. Very patient. And after I told him I came from the Gracie Academy, he was very nice about placing in my proper level.

Small school, friendly atmosphere, 5 stars for level of technique. You can learn a lot here while getting good exercise and having fun.

I walked in one day on a whim and could not have met a more welcoming group. The groups in session really gave the sense that you are dealing in nuts and bolts jiu jitsu.
Haven’t joined any groups yet as I have been checking out different gyms. This will be the one I try first because of that first meeting.

I started training here
last week, and I really like it so far. Kahlil is an excellent instructor, and the members are super patient in helping me out, even though it probably sucks that they have to babysit me.
My baby is in softball three or four times a week now, so I was just staying at home alone. I tried kick boxing, but didn’t like it. I have a dominant personality. I like aggressive sports, but the thought of the injuries from a «striker» sport didn’t appeal to me.
My objective in joining this dojo was to get in shape doing something fun. I can’t handle the gym, doing the workout just for the sake of the work out. It’s so unappealing.
But taking down someone equal or bigger than me is definitely an adrenalin rush. And there’s a thrill that comes in dominating your opponent. I like it so much better than the vertical takedown in the White Mountains (lol).

Roger (pronounced HAW-​jur) Machado operates this Pasadena satellite of the Machado Jiu-​Jitsu schools, which grew out of their original academy in South Bay. Brazilian jiu-​jitsu is the grappling oriented martial art that made waves in the early 1990s when his cousin, Royce Gracie, demonstrated the usefulness of knowing how to not only grapple, but to also finish an opponent with a surprising choke or a very painful arm/​leg lock. Roger distinguishes himself from the competition with his humility and focus on safety and respect between the students. I have studied other martial arts with other instructors, but Roger stands out because of his patient teaching style.