Rigan Machado has spent decades training fighters, actors, and champions – and when asked on a recent podcast which celebrity student has stood out most over the years, the ninth-degree red belt named Ashton Kutcher without hesitation.
Here is what he had to say on the topic:
I think Ashton Kutcher and I think he trained for 15 years. He’s a black belt in Brazil.
He is very consistent. He’s one of my best friends. He’s amazing.
He elaborated on what made Kutcher’s progress notable:
It’s not like oh he got a black belt by chance. No, he took 15 years to get his black belt. He is very talented. Has a great background in wrestling and Jiu-Jitsu comes very easy for him, because he’s already a natural grappler.
And just have to add the guard, the armbars, the submission, and he picks it up very fast.
He’s a very talented and very amazing student.
Since relocating to the United States, Machado has become one of the sport’s most recognizable instructors, teaching in Beverly Hills and building a client list full of actors, directors, and producers, work that has since expanded well beyond the academy.
He’s coordinated fight scenes for major productions including Black Panther, Fast and Furious, and John Wick, and has moved into acting, producing, and directing himself.
Machado explained that coaching celebrities requires drawing a clear line between the mat and everything outside it:
(I) let the celebrities come inside the mat and for me it’s very important to leave everything (else) outside.
When you step on the mat. I’m not your friend, I’m your coach.
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