Pedro Henrique Pinheiro Machado de Souza

Pedro Machado is a Brazilian black belt from the Gordo Jiu-Jitsu and R1NG tradition, known for his classic, guard-oriented Rio style.

Profile

The story

Machado grew up in Rio de Janeiro in a family with a strong jiu-jitsu tradition. After a childhood in which he also surfed, he returned to the mat in his early teens. He was trained by Paulo Perrota through all the belts within the Gordo Jiu-Jitsu and R1NG lineage and received his black belt on December 28, 2021.

As a purple belt, Machado won the Pan American Championship. As a brown belt, he won, among other titles, the Abu Dhabi World Pro title, multiple Pan American and European Open titles, and the Iron Brown Belt tournament. As a black belt, he reached the final of the 2023 IBJJF World Championship and collected multiple runner-up finishes at major IBJJF championships.

Machado was also active in UFC BJJ and previously fought for the organization's light heavyweight title. His style is characterized by a strong guard, lasso guard, and omoplata attacks.

In the ring

Fighting style

Classic, technical guard player from the Rio style, known for the lasso guard and omoplata. Machado uses guard control, timing, and technical attacks to create submissions and positional advantages.

Results

Performance

Pan American champion as a purple belt; Abu Dhabi World Pro champion and winner of multiple Pan American and European Open titles as a brown belt; Iron Brown Belt winner; runner-up at the 2023 IBJJF World Championship; runner-up at the 2024 IBJJF Pan American Championship; runner-up at the IBJJF European Championship in 2023 and 2024; runner-up at the 2024 Brazilian Nationals.

Over the years

Timeline

2019: wins the Pan American Championship as a purple belt.
Before 2021: as a brown belt, wins the Abu Dhabi World Pro title, several Pan American and European Open titles, and the Iron Brown Belt tournament.
December 28, 2021: promoted to black belt under Paulo Perrota.
2023: finishes second at the IBJJF World Championship and the IBJJF European Championship.
2024: finishes second at the IBJJF Pan American Championship, the European Championship, and the Brazilian Nationals.
UFC BJJ: competes in a former title fight for the light heavyweight title.

Influence

Legacy

Machado is regarded as an important representative of the classic, guard-focused Rio de Janeiro style. His consistent presence on major IBJJF stages and his previous UFC BJJ title shot connect traditional BJJ technique with modern submission formats.

Moments