Kei Shin Martial Arts & Fitness

09/13/2026

It’s always awesome when you have a living legend in Jiu-Jitsu at your academy. Always awesome to see Grandmaster Rigan Machado.

09/11/2026

THE INCREDIBLE 80S DUEL BETWEEN RICKSON GRACIE AND RIGAN MACHADO!

Back in the 80s, one of the most iconic clashes and fascinating behind-the-scenes moments in Jiu-Jitsu history took place in Rio de Janeiro between two cousins: Rigan Machado and Rickson Gracie at the legendary Copa Company.

Rigan was on an incredible winning streak, undefeated from ages 8 to 23, grinding through up to 40 sparrings a day. But on the other side of the mat stood Rickson Gracie, who wasn't just the family’s top representative at the time, but also one of Rigan's primary teachers!

THE BEHIND-THE-SCENES DRAMA AT COPA COMPANY

Neither wanted to fight each other out of respect for the family champion. However, an unexpected injury to Rickson's intended opponent threatened the main event. With a packed arena in Rio de Janeiro, sponsors, and TV cameras rolling, the pressure was on:

"Helio Gracie told Rickson: 'The guys from Company want to see blood, they want a good fight...You’re going to have to fight Rigan. He’s the only one there who can put on a show.' They talked for about half an hour, and then they came to tell me I’d have to fight Rickson. I said, 'Are you crazy? Fight my teacher? I'll just go out there and raise his arm.'", said Rigan to PVT Channel.

Right before stepping onto the mats, Rickson approached Rigan to set the mental baseline for the bout:

"Rickson came to talk to me: 'Yeah, I think we're going to have to get after it.' And I said, 'Rickson, if I step in there, I’m not looking at you as a cousin, I’m coming straight after you.' And Rickson said, 'That’s exactly what I want, let’s go.'"

WAR ON THE MATS & THE INITIAL OVERSURGE

Once the fight started, Rigan put family ties aside and went to war, catching everyone off guard with his explosive pace:

"I couldn't look at Rickson as my cousin anymore... I got into that mindset of 'I'm going to snap his neck,' going straight to war. [...] I went all out. I took him down, started winning... By the time he woke up, I was already on knee-on-belly, taking his back."

A MASTERCLASS IN STRATEGY

Despite the early pressure, Rickson showed why his fight IQ was unmatched. He weathered the storm and waited for the exact right moment to capitalize:

"The interesting thing about Rickson that taught me a lesson that day was strategy. He said: 'Rigan is coming like a blind mule; let his pace pass, and the second he takes a breath, I’m going in.' And he executed that strategy perfectly."

Towards the end, as Rigan’s tank dipped from the relentless pace, Rickson saw his opening, controlled the position, and submitted him with a tight choke.

HOW A LOSS FORGED A LEGEND

Despite the outcome, the match transformed Rigan's career. Going toe-to-toe with the era's ultimate legend unlocked a whole new level of his game:

"I never think about losing; I always go in to give my absolute best. [...] Winning is the main goal, but losing that fight didn't change anything for the worse. It actually made me better! I won over 100 fights after that."

09/10/2026

This Saturday! Grandmaster Rigan Machado will be at Kei Shin Martial Arts of Conway. This seminar is open to Jiu Jitsu practitioners 13 & up!

The Gi seminar starts at 12:30
The No-Gi seminar starts at 2:30.

The cost is $75 for one seminar or $100 for both!

Contact Coach Steve at Kei Shin Martial Arts for details!

[email protected] or
text/call 843-231-4338

08/30/2026

Less than two weeks away! Rigan Machado will be at Kei Shin Martial Arts in Conway SC (just outside Myrtle Beach). If you train in Jiu-Jitsu this is your chance to meet one of the earliest pioneers that helped grow the art in the United States. Contact us for more information. Limited to Ages 13 & Up and that train in Jiu-Jitsu.

08/25/2026

08/20/2026

Welcome Isaiah to his new journey in the martial arts! He is already starting with amazing skills!!!

08/20/2026

Young ones working on the basics of Jiu-Jitsu. Some of the best friends you will ever have in life have come from building foundations on the mat together.

08/20/2026

Check out this wonderful young lady - Kelis! Starting her journey in the martial arts. Stepping on the mat to try something new takes courage and she certainly has that! Welcome to our family.

08/20/2026

Welcome our new family members - Aurelia & Julian! Two awesome young warriors beginning their journey!!!

08/19/2026

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Sensei!

We hope you have a SUPER, AWESOME and AMAZING day!