Rigan Michado
Master
Red & Black Belt

Master Rigan Machado is a living legend in the world of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and is considered by many to be the greatest grappler to ever walk the face of the planet. Master Rigan holds the prestigious Red and Black Belt and is nephew of the Legendary Grandmaster Carlos Gracie. Master Rigan  Machado achieved his legendary stature at the world championship level  by amassing a record like never been seen again.

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From the age of 14 through 21, he won the World Championships every year and every belt division. He amassed a record of 365 wins and no losses in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competition. He also created a record by having 19 matches in one day and finishing all of them by submission.  He has also competed and won in other styles of grappling such as Sambo in which he took 2nd place in the World Championships. 

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He remains unbeaten in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in more than 13 years of competition. Master Rigan Machado is  one of the most unique and interesting people in the martial of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu because of the desire he has to bring the best out of all his students. He has taken pride in the fact that he will  always be a student of the art and he will always make sure that his  students receive the best from him at all time.

Mark Massey

Professor
2nd Degree Black Belt

Mark Massey was first introduced to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 1993 after visiting Professor Pedro Sauer's academy in Salt Lake City, UT. He trained off an on for about 2 years but had to move to Washington and  took up Judo before earning any colored belt rank in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Mr. Massey continued regular study and training in Judo, earning his Shodan (Black Belt) in 2001 and Nidan (2nd degree Black Belt) in 2008 under the United States Judo Association.

In 1999 Mr. Massey took up  Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu again and continued the journey he started several years earlier. Mr. Massey earned his Blue Belt under Professor Keith Owen (Pedro Sauer), his Purple Belt under Master Carlos Gracie Jr. (Gracie Barra) and his Brown Belt under Professor Rafael Ellwanger and Master Carlos Gracie Jr. (Gracie Barra). 

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After 6 years with the Gracie Barra Team, Mr. Massey elected to part ways and find a more suitable, non-franchised organization for the Academy. After months of research and phone calls, Mr. Massey was put in touch with Master Rigan Machado, who graciously took the School and Mr. Massey under his tutelage and guidance. 

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Mark Massey was directly awarded the coveted Black Belt from Master Rigan Machado on May 25, 2013, and was asked by Master Rigan to work as his Association Director. Professor Massey has helped unite the Rigan Machado schools worldwide and standardize a curriculum based on Master Rigan Machado's teachings and principles. Professor Massey earned his 1st and 2nd degree Black Belt directly under Master Rigan and continues to represent Machado Jiu-Jitsu here in Southeast Idaho.

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**Professor Massey is also a proud member of the Law Enforcement community, serving the Shoshone-Bannock Tribal community as a Police Officer since 2003. He has been the Captain of Police with the Fort Hall Police Department and the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes since 2011.

Larry Chasteen

Coach
Purple Belt

Coach Larry started his Martial Arts journey in 1984, and since has trained in several styles from Tae Kwon Do, Shorei Goju, Kempo, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Kickboxing and Combat Submission Wrestling. He has competed in several competitions throughout his martial arts journey. He is currently a 4th Dan black belt under Ricky Ellington and Bill “Superfoot” Wallace in Tae Kwon Do, and a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under Professor Rigan Machado and Mark Massey. In 2020, Coach Larry was promoted to Black Belt in IKI Krav Maga.  He is the owner and operator of G1 Martial Arts in Dalton, Ga and still trains on a regular basis.