05/22/2026
This Memorial Day, we pause to honor not only those who served, but those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country and for the brothers beside them. Today, we proudly recognize the story and legacy behind the Team 3 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu a legacy built on courage, sacrifice, resilience, and brotherhood.
Team 3 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is rooted in the lineage of BJJ black belt Professor Sergio Machado. He founded Team 3 to honor the memory of the ten fallen soldiers in his platoon who tragically lost their lives in a helicopter crash while serving our nation. The name “Team 3” stands as a permanent tribute to his platoon from his time serving as an Army Airborne Ranger a reminder that true brotherhood never fades.
After leaving the military in 2007, Professor Machado dedicated his life to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, transforming pain into purpose. Through teaching, mentorship, and service to others, he created more than a martial arts academy he built a family and a living legacy for the men he lost.
At Team 3, Jiu Jitsu is more than a sport. It is discipline in difficult moments. It is humility through growth. It is learning to protect yourself while respecting others. It is strength built through perseverance, community, and character. Often called “The Gentle Art,” Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu teaches that technique, patience, and heart can overcame size and strength a philosophy that reflects both the mats and life itself.
But beyond the techniques and training, Team 3 represents something deeper: carrying forward the spirit of those who can no longer stand beside us. Every class taught, every student encouraged, and every obstacle overcome is a way of keeping their memory live.
Professor Machado’s passion comes from seeing others grow through Jiu-Jitsu watching confidence develop, character strengthen, and lives change. That passion continues to inspire everyone who walks through the doors of Team 3. His mission reminds us that legacy is not only remembered in words, but in the lives we impact and the values we pass on.
This Memorial Day, we remember the ten fallen soldiered whose sacrifice inspired this journey. We honor all military heroes who gave everything in service to our country. We are humbled to be apart of Team 3.
May we never forget those who paid the ultimate price for our freedom. Their memory lives on not only in history, but in every lesson taught, every hand extended, and every life changed through Team 3 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. 🇺🇸
