$75
- Belt evaluation
Adult BJJ belts in order are white, blue, purple, brown and black.
Each new belt takes an evaluation. Here's how the belts run and how you're evaluated for the next one. First, an instructor the association has approved has to invite you. Evaluations happen at the Summit, and the dates aren't set yet. You leave with one of two answers, Ready or Not Ready.
Evaluations are for students at Machado Method academies, and your instructor invites you first. Train somewhere else? Start with the free courses. Get My Free Courses
- 8th Degree Coral Belt
- 55+ years on the mat
Each belt shown at its highest degree.
Who's evaluated
- Students at a Machado Method academy going for their next belt.
- Instructors going for their next rank.
- Owners sending their students and instructors to be evaluated.
Not training at a Machado Method academy yet? Find one near you.
Am I ready?
A rank evaluation answers it in two words. Ready, or Not Ready.
BJJ belts in order and how the Machado Method belt system works
The adult belts
White, blue, purple, brown and black, in that order.
On white, blue, purple and brown, you can be evaluated for four stripes, 1st to 4th.
- White
- Blue
- Purple
- Brown
- Black
Each belt shown at its highest degree.
Black belt degrees
After black belt come the degrees. You can be evaluated for 1st through 6th degree black belt. To go past 6th degree, a black belt has to be a professor.
Coral belts
After the black belt degrees come the coral belts. Master Carlos Machado is an 8th Degree Coral Belt.
Professor
A professor is a black belt who completed a formal evaluation and earned two instructor tips. Not every black belt is a professor.
Tips are how the association marks coaches and professors. Purple and brown belts can earn Red Tips, which mark them as coaches. When a coach reaches black belt, their Red Tips become professor tips. They still have to meet the professor requirements below.
To be evaluated for professor, you need:
- 6 months of active membership in the association.
- At least 2 classes taught every week.
- 2 years of teaching, or 208 documented classes.
- Good standing.
- A direct invitation.
How an evaluation works
Every step, from the invitation to your result, is in How rank evaluation works just below.
How rank evaluation works
Get invited. An instructor the association has approved invites you. Before you register, they confirm you meet the attendance, technical and attitude standards.
Pick your evaluation. Belt, black belt, degree or professor. Going for professor? Check the requirements in the belt guide first.
Be evaluated at the Summit. It runs twice a year, in spring and fall. Evaluation dates come later.
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Be evaluated in three parts, from the Official MMJJ Testing Sheet:
- Flow roll.
- Techniques. Every position and technique your rank requires.
- Live rolling. Up to three rounds.
The evaluators vote. Two Ready votes from two different evaluators earn the promotion. If one of the first two says Not Ready, you need approval from a third evaluator.
Get your answer. Ready means you're promoted. Not Ready means you get feedback on what to work on.
Registering doesn't guarantee a promotion.
What an evaluation gives you
- An evaluation for your next belt or degree.
- A straight answer: Ready or Not Ready.
- Feedback on what to work on, if you're Not Ready.
- A chance to be evaluated at the Summit.
- A fee that covers the evaluators, the event, the belt and certificates, rank processing and record-keeping.
What an evaluation costs
$100
- Black belt evaluation
- Black belt degree evaluation
- Professor evaluation
Belt and evaluation questions
How many belts are there in BJJ?
In the Machado Method, there are five adult belts. In order, they're white, blue, purple, brown and black. After black belt come the black belt degrees, then the coral belts. The belt guide shows each one.
What are the belts in the Machado Method?
White, blue, purple, brown and black, in that order. After black belt come the black belt degrees, and there are coral belts too. The belt guide has the details.
How much does a belt evaluation cost?
A belt evaluation is $75. Black belt, black belt degree and professor evaluations are $100. Evaluations happen at the Summit, and the dates aren't set yet.
What happens if I'm Not Ready?
There are two results, Ready or Not Ready. Not Ready comes with feedback on what to work on.
Who can take a Machado Method rank evaluation?
Students and instructors at Machado Method academies, once an instructor the association has approved invites them. If you don't train at one yet, find an academy first.
What is a coral belt in BJJ?
A coral belt is a rank above black belt. It comes after the black belt degrees. The belt guide shows where it sits.
What rank is Master Carlos Machado?
He's an 8th Degree Coral Belt, with 55+ years on the mat.
Can I be evaluated at the Summit?
Yes. Right now the Summit is the only place evaluations happen. It runs twice a year, in spring and fall, and the evaluation dates aren't set yet.
How much are jiu-jitsu classes at a Machado Method academy?
Each academy sets its own prices and schedule. Find an academy near you and ask them.
Think you're ready? Find out.
Ask your instructor if you're ready. Evaluations happen at the Summit, and the dates come later.