Programs
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
The Gentle Art under the America's Best umbrella — specialty affiliation and standards through Team 3 Jiu-Jitsu.
Overview
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, often called “the Gentle Art,” is based on the principle that a smaller, weaker person can effectively defend against a larger, stronger opponent by using weight distribution and leverage. The art focuses on taking the fight to the ground and using submissions to achieve victory.
BJJ is valuable for sport grappling and self-defense. Training involves sparring (“rolling”) and live drilling, which are essential for skill development. Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art, a sport, a path to fitness and character building — and for many, a way of life.
How is Jiu-Jitsu different?
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu stands out for its focus on ground fighting. A Team 3 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu program still delivers the benefits of traditional martial arts training — self-control, discipline, confidence, respect, and focus — while combining competitive sport, self-defense, and physical fitness.
Team 3 emphasizes realistic, innovative training and a supportive community: train, compete, and grow together — no one left behind.
For kids & teens programs
Jiu-jitsu has been shown to support academic performance and help young people handle challenges at school, home, and beyond. With rising exposure to real-world danger, the goal is for students to rely on the most powerful tool they have — their mind — while building practical self-defense skills and the self-control to use them responsibly.
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 serious injuries — including burns and herniated discs that led to back surgery — and later left the military to pursue a professional career in jiu-jitsu.
He received his black belt from Ricardo “Pantcho” Feliciano and opened Team 3 Checkmat in Ontario, California, in October 2010. Professor Machado continues to train, compete, and teach through seminars. He is now a police officer in Los Angeles County, California. America's Best schools are honored to represent his Team 3 lineage.
In memory of Team 3
- CPT Derek A. Dobogai
- SSG Jason L. Paton
- SGT Garret I. McLead
- CPL Jeremy P. Bouffard
- CPL Phillip J. Brodnick
- CPL Joshua S. Harmon
- CPL Nathan C. Hubbard
- SPC Michael A. Hook
- SPC Jessy G. Pollard
- SPC Tyler R. Seideman
22 August 2007 – Kirkuk, Iraq
Gallery
Training in action
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Affiliation
Affiliate for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Specialty BJJ affiliation continues with Team 3 Jiu-Jitsu. Schools can grow a grappling program while remaining part of the broader America's Best family.
What Team 3 affiliation supports
- Specialty BJJ curriculum, community standards, and seminar access
- A clear grappling path alongside America's Best karate and other programs
- Apply and learn more on the Team 3 site; explore all paths on this site
Prefer to compare all options first? Start on our affiliation path picker.