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Let your students discover the secrets of the world’s best BJJ fighters first-hand from a Carlos Machado Association Professor in an intensive skills-building seminar.

Fast skill improvement

Watch your students’ skills skyrocket almost overnight with a intensely hands-on seminars designed to fast-track their technique.

Increased student retention

Reignite your students’ passion for BJJ and boost retention rates long-term when you bring a legendary professor to your academy.

Prestige for your academy

Establish your academy as a prestigious, top-tier destination for BJJ when you host a seminar taught by one of our professors.

Your Students Crave More - Here's How to Light Their Fire

You love teaching BJJ but lately your students are losing their fire. Their skills have plateaued, energy is declining, and you struggle to keep them motivated.

Your academy isn’t attracting as many new students either. You want to reignite their passion so they fall in love with BJJ again. More than anything, you want to see them achieve their potential. But stagnation has set in and it’s affecting everything.

You’ve tried different approaches without success. Your students need inspiration from a fellow black belt who speaks their language. They need the catalyst to ignite their inner fire again and get unstuck. You want to provide the premier BJJ training experience. But without an injection of new energy and world-class instruction, you can’t get them to the next level.

Meet the Ambassadors

Tier 1 - $3,000 + Airfare & hotel

Carlos Machado 8th Degree Coral Belt

A pioneer of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in America, Master Carlos Machado arrived from Brazil in the 1990s, forming the Carlos Machado Jiu-Jitsu Association, one of the world’s strongest BJJ organizations. Known as the “Godfather of Jiu-Jitsu” in Texas, he introduced the art to the region where most lineages trace back to him. A Hall of Fame instructor, his technical excellence and advancement of BJJ in America cemented his reputation. Master Machado’s legacy continues through his association, instructors, and students worldwide.

One of the main goals of Master Carlos Machado is to simply make the “Average Student, Above Average”. His mission is also to teach his instructors to be the best they can be by mentoring them and instilling in them a solid foundation on many levels, which will greatly benefit not only their own students, but also themselves individually on and off the mats and will ultimately enable successful operation of the many premium Carlos Machado Jiu-Jitsu Academies in the United States and around the world.

Tier 2 - $2,500 + Airfare & hotel

Marcio Santos 6th Degree Black Belt

Prof. Marcio Santos, a native of Teresopolis, RJ Brazil, began his Brazilian Jiu Jitsu journey as a child under Gracie Red Belt, Geny Rebello. Earning his Black Belt in 2000, he moved to the U.S. and trained with the Machado Jiu Jitsu family in New York. In 2009, he relocated to Dallas, joining the Carlos Machado Jiu Jitsu Association. By 2012, he founded the Carlos Machado Jiu Jitsu Lake Highlands school. With over 45 years on the mats, he’s achieved a 6th Degree Black Belt under Master Carlos Machado. Prof. Santos specializes in teaching guard retention, guard pass, and sweeps, but is flexible in tailoring classes upon request.

Marcos Santos 6th Degree Black Belt

Professor Marcos Santos, a representative for the Machado brothers and descendants of the Gracie Grand Masters, began Gracie Brazilian jiu jitsu at age 5. With 47 years in the discipline and 28 years leading a U.S. academy, he’s a seasoned instructor. After establishing his first NYC academy in 1997, it was closed post-9/11, prompting his move to Fort Worth, Texas, where he now runs a Machado BJJ Academy. With a sixth-degree black belt from the Machado brothers, Marcos is deeply committed to community service and fostering personal growth in his students.

Tier 3 - $2,000 + Airfare & hotel

Eddie Avelar 4th Degree Black Belt

Eddie Avelar is a fourth-degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Master Carlos Machado. With over 22 years of Jiu-Jitsu experience and a passion for teaching, Eddie specializes in techniques involving the gi, an essential component of traditional Jiu-Jitsu. He is proficient in the “Broken Butterfly” series and the “Pro Guard” or “Butter Half” techniques, offering unique insights into butterfly guard control and offensive strategies from the half guard. Despite being over 54, Eddie remains actively involved in sparring sessions. He is known for his interactive teaching style, emphasizing hands-on practice, demonstrations, and open discussions to ensure comprehensive learning.

Armando Sanchez 3rd Degree Black Belt

Professor Armando Sanchez, a renowned Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) expert with over 25 years of experience, holds a 3rd degree Black Belt under Master Carlos Machado and leads as the head instructor at CMJJ Albuquerque. His expertise spans a wide range of BJJ techniques, including takedowns, guard passing, and submission systems, with a special focus on anatomical and biomechanical applications in martial arts. Beyond his martial arts career, Professor Sanchez has over 15 years of experience as a Physician Assistant in Cardiology at the University of New Mexico, bringing a unique medical perspective to his BJJ teaching that enhances the effectiveness and safety of his training methods.

Ty Garrett 3rd Degree Black Belt

Beginning martial arts in 1990, this individual boasts a 3rd degree Blackbelt under Master Carlos Machado and a 7th degree in kickboxing under Troy Dorsey. With an impressive 27-0 record in kickboxing, they’ve secured multiple amateur world titles across three organizations. Their favorite BJJ topics include Omoplatas and Hook sweep/butterfly guards.

Kevin Henderson 3rd Degree Black Belt

As the Chief Instructor of Henderson’s Martial Arts in Atascocita, TX, he opened his academy in July 1994. Holding an 8th degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do and a 3rd degree black belt under Carlos Machado, earned in April 2022, his jiu-jitsu journey began in 1994 when he started training with Master Machado. A dedicated Machado affiliate since 2015, he delights in sweeps from guard and half guard. Viewing jiu-jitsu as a way of life, he is passionate about imparting its artistry to others.

Jason Sampson 3rd degree black belt

Jason Sampson is the owner and head instructor at Sampson Jiu Jitsu Academy. He credits Jiu Jitsu with saving his life and believes in the principles of hard work and self-belief. Raised in a tough neighborhood, Jason found direction through wrestling at age 12, eventually becoming an All-American wrestler. He discovered Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) in Oklahoma City, training under Rafael Lovato Jr. and Sr., and won the Pan American Championship in 2006.

Michael Craycraft 3rd degree black belt

Beginning their martial arts journey 22 years ago with Pankration and earning a black belt in 2006, this individual moved to Dallas in 2009 to train in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, achieving a black belt under the Machado organization in 2013. With 20 years of competition experience in MMA, Jiu-Jitsu, and grappling, they have been teaching since 2003, focusing on mindset transformation. Their Jiu-Jitsu style emphasizes chained attacks and includes a specialty in the triangle/arm bar combination, applicable from various positions.

Tier 4 - $1,500 + Airfare & hotel

Tony Williams 1st Degree Black Belt

Professor Tony Williams is a 1st Degree Black Belt with 15 years of jiu jitsu experience. For a decade, he has served as an instructor, dedicating the last three years to training directly under Master Machado and absorbing his personal curriculum. Proficient in reinforcing curriculum, lasso, leglocks, and possessing unique techniques of his own, Professor Williams brings a wealth of knowledge to his teachings.

Kim Blake 1st Degree Black Belt

Professor Kim Blake, a 1st Degree Black Belt in BJJ, boasts a diverse martial arts background, including a 5th Degree Black Belt in Karate and Kickboxing. With nearly two decades in martial arts and 12 years instructing, she’s the first female BJJ Blackbelt in Oklahoma and a two-time World Champion BJJ Master. Born in Cleveland, OH, and trained by luminaries like Master Carlos Machado, she’s been inducted into multiple martial arts halls of fame and has co-authored internationally acclaimed books.

Virgil Allen Black Belt

Professor Glenn Virgil Allen embarked on his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu journey in 1999 during his service in the 2nd Ranger Battalion of the U.S. Army. He trained under Marcelo Alonso BJJ and later with renowned black belts like Professor Mauricio “Tinguinha” Mariano. Receiving his Black Belt from Master Carlos Machado in October 2020, Glenn, a military instructor, combines his passion for Jiu-Jitsu with a dedication to teaching. He specializes in Closed Guard lapel jiu-jitsu techniques in Gi and emphasizes Guard Passing and leg attacks in No-Gi.

Derrick Adkins Black Belt

Professor Derrick Adkins is a distinguished Black Belt under Carlos Machado. He boasts a professional background in MMA, kickboxing, and boxing, and actively competes in Jiu-Jitsu with AGF. Derrick is a veteran of LFA and Bellator and honed his wrestling skills at the University of Central Oklahoma. In teaching, he emphasizes takedowns, wrestling for Jiu-Jitsu, passing techniques, and the darce choke series. While he offers expertise in various positions, he is also open to specific training requests.