Part 6/14:
Transitioning to the late '90s, Machado recounts his move to America and the early days of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu there. The story of Chuck Norris visiting their garage to train is a testament to the martial art's rising influence. Norris, a Hollywood icon and martial arts legend, was gracious and supportive, even gifting the Machado family a building in Ventura Boulevard—an act of generosity that helped solidify their foothold in the U.S. martial arts community.
Machado underscores that their primary goal was always to promote the authenticity and integrity of the family name, often resisting commercialization or dilution of their brand, as others adopted the Gracie or Machado surnames without direct lineage.