Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Jiu-jitsu, “the Gentle Art,” revolves around the concept that a smaller, weaker person can successfully defend themselves against a bigger, stronger, heavier opponent by using leverage and weight distribution, by taking the fight to the ground, and by using submissions to defeat them. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training can be used for sport grappling tournaments and in self-defense situations. Sparring, commonly referred to as “rolling” within the jiu-jitsu community, and live drilling play a major role in training and the practitioner’s development. Jiu-jitsu is considered a martial art, a sport, a method of promoting physical fitness and building character, and a way of life.
How is Jiu-Jitsu Different?
Jiu-jitsu is different from all the other martial arts, as its focus is on ground fighting. Our Team 3 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu program will give you all the benefits of traditional martial arts training, including but not limited to self-control, discipline, confidence, respect, and focus. Jiu-jitsu is unique in that it is a competitive sport, a self-defense system, and a means to develop physical fitness. Team 3 Jiu-Jitsu addresses all these aspects during training classes. You will learn proper technique so that you can train to compete, to defend, and to become more physically fit.
Team 3 Jiu-Jitsu strives to lead the way in supplying the best, most realistic, and innovative self-defense training anywhere. At Team 3 Jiu-Jitsu, we are a community—we are a team who trains together, does battle together, and no one gets left behind. Everyone is welcomed as part of the family. We would like to welcome you to our family, and we look forward to training with you. If, at any time, you need assistance, we are here to help. Thank you for your patronage and loyalty.
A Special Note to Parents
Parents, jiu-jitsu has been proven to increase a child’s school performance and help them deal with challenging situations in life, at school, and at home. In this society, unfortunately, our children are facing very real-world threats every day. Other children are bringing weapons to school, and their attacks are becoming more violent and widespread. It is our ultimate goal that your child will be able to use the supreme weapon, which is his or her brain, to get out of a situation.
We feel that our program will give children and teens the competence, through training, to provide them with the appropriate self-defense skills and confidence so that they can defend themselves now and in the future. Your child will also learn self-control, so as not to misuse the skills they have been taught.
Sergio Machado and Team 3 Jiu-Jitsu
Sergio Machado founded Team 3 Jiu-Jitsu in honor of the ten fallen soldiers in his platoon who perished in a helicopter crash. He served in the military from January 1997 to January 2008 (apart from a yearlong break). As an Army Ranger, he sustained multiple serious injuries, including second- and third-degree burns on 20% of his body in 2003 and herniated discs which led to back surgery in 2006.
He went through spine surgery prior to his third tour in Iraq. His doctor informed him that he was at the top 5% of all recovering back surgery patients, which gave him a new outlook on life after overcoming such a grueling obstacle. In September 2007, Professor Machado decided to leave the military and pursue a new dream—a professional career in jiu-jitsu. He received his black belt from his friend and coach, Ricardo “Pantcho” Feliciano. He then opened his own academy in October 2010 in Ontario, California: Team 3 Checkmat.
Professor Machado continues to train, is highly active on the jiu-jitsu tournament scene, and is also a marathoner/triathlete. His competition accomplishments include matches in Jiu-Jitsu World League, the North American Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (NABJJF), the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF), SubCon, and a Super Fight for the Fight to Win show. He won all but two of the tournaments he competed in and even received double gold for some. Participating in marathons, especially one such as the Ironman Triathlon (a 140.62-mile race), keeps him mentally strong with a “refusal to quit” attitude. Behind this incredibly positive outlook on life is his supportive family, which consists of his wife and daughter.
Professor Machado is now a police officer in Los Angeles County, California. After becoming a police officer, he had to close his academy in 2018; however, today, he still travels and teaches through seminars at other Checkmat schools. We are honored to represent Professor Machado at this school!