To cultivate a vibrant community of Machida Karate practitioners of all ages and backgrounds that inspires others to reach their full potential on and beyond the mat.
Respect, Discipline, Resilience, Community, Continuous learning.
Machida Karate is a methodology focused on self-defense that utilizes Shotokan Karate as its foundation, and also incorporates the Bushido Values – resilience, healthy and strong body, courage, and honor – to empower practitioners to strengthen their spirit, mind, and body.
It was started by brothers, Chinzo Machida and Lyoto Machida, when they began their endeavor into mixed martial arts (MMA) in 2003. They needed to adapt the techniques and style to be applicable in any situation.
They revived techniques like elbows, knees, hooks, and grappling techniques, then combined them with distance management, timing, and precision to effectively apply their karate experience against other Martial Art disciplines.
Distinguishing itself from other karate styles, Machida Karate includes grappling and throwing as part of its self-defense curriculum.
The Machida Family is well-known in the world of martial arts. They have been very successful in Shotokan Karate tournaments (international & Brazilian national) and professional Mixed Martial Arts competitions. In addition to competing, they have dedicated over 50 years to teaching and sharing their love for the art of Karate.
Yoshizo Machida was born in Ibaraki, Japan, in 1946. He began his karate training under Masters Soichi Yamamoto, Masahiko Tanaka, Masatoshi Nakayama, and Hidetaka Nishiyama. He holds the 8th dan in Shotokan Karate from the Japanese Karate Association (JKA). In 1968, Master Machida migrated to Brazil, where he soon met his wife and decided to stay permanently. In 1980, he founded the first Machida Academy, known as APAM (Paraense Martial Arts Association), in Belém do Pará, Brazil, where he continues to teach to this day. As the former coach of the Brazilian National Team, Master Machida is currently the president of JKA Brazil.
Chinzo Machida is the second son of Master Machida. He holds a 6th Dan in Shotokan Karate and a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. In 2016, he and his brother Lyoto founded the Machida Karate Academy in Lomita, CA. He began his karate journey at the age of 4. With over 30 years of experience in martial arts, he has won 13 Brazilian adult kumite championship titles and was the runner-up in the JKA World Cup in 2006. In 2009, he led the team of his brother, Lyoto Machida, who won the UFC light heavyweight championship. Chinzo currently oversees the Machida Karate Academy Headquarters in Lomita, CA, the Machida Virtual Dojo, the Machida Associations, and a professional MMA team.
Lyoto Machida is the third son of Master Machida. He holds a 3rd Dan in Shotokan Karate, a 2nd Dan in Sumo, and a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. In 2016, he and his brother Chinzo founded the Machida Karate Academy in Lomita, CA. He began his karate journey at the age of 3. In 1998, he became the Brazilian Champion in Adult Kumite and secured 3rd place in the adult kumite team at the Traditional Karate Organization Championship. In 1999, he was the Pan American Champion in Adult Kumite. In 2009, he won the UFC light heavyweight championship.
Takehiko Machida, a 5th Dan in Shotokan Karate and founder of the Machida Fight Fit chain of gyms, is the eldest son of Master Machida. He began his karate journey at the age of 5. In 2013, he became the Brazilian Adult Kumite Champion at the Traditional Karate Championship Organization. He is currently responsible for the administration of the Machida Fight Fit brand, which includes four locations, as well as his father’s Machida Academy in Brazil.
