Rigan Machado knowingly promotes convicted rapist to BJJ black belt

[Devil]

Rigan Machado does need me to defend him

But you're not going to let that stop you from doing exactly that, are you, Patty Hearst?

[Devil]

Does Saucido have black belts in other arts?

Are we entirely certain of the dates and timelines of all the pictures?

Do be honest, I do fear that Saucido tugged on Rigan's religious views, which include views on mercy for those who claim to have had a religious conversion following undesirable or sinful behavior.

And then Rigan may have agreed to provide some support if Saucido then "proved" his sincerity by good works congruent with the religion.

I really hope this does not turn out to be the case, but for full disclosure, this is something I have been worried about since I read Georgette's original post.

You would make a wonderful cult member.

[Devil]

A registered sex offender has claimed to have been promoted to black belt in BJJ by Rigan Machado.

That claim may be false, and I hope that it is false, or it may end up being true.

But until there is proof that the claim is true, it should be assumed to be false.

The maker of the claim (Saucido) has the burden of proof of proving that Rigan Machado really did promote him to black belt in BJJ.

Okay, fine. You want to stick to facts. We can do that. Tell us what you think of the FACT that Rigan Machado publicly disassociated himself with this man and then continued to associate with him? There is proof of that.

[Devil]

But Rigan has not said that to my knowledge.

So, that is not a scenario I need to worry about.

In my experience, I have never met someone who could back up claims of having magic powers.

I am a long time fan of the Amazing Randi.

And I have never met someone who trained in Systema only and was qualified to teach people how to fight.

[Michael Tzadok]

Georgette updated her blog with statements from Carlos' wife, Carlos and Rigan.
http://georgetteoden.blogspot.co.il/...y-promote.html

Sadly Rigan is doubling down on his claim that he has had no contact with Saucido for the last four years despite clear evidence to the contrary. Shady, very shady.

[Dr. Gonzo]

The high priest from the Church of St. Rigan makes his appearance once again.

Clearly Rigan and the Machado family lied about Rigan's ongoing relationship with Saucido. In fact the initial criticism of Georgette as a no life witch hunter with nothing better to do than smear the Machado name was predicated on the assertion that Rigan hadn't been in contact with Saucido for the last four years and we were told that Rigan and Carlos would be issuing statements to that effect by the end of the day yesterday. Then clear and irrefutable evidence that Rigan had been in contact with Saucido came to light, and the promised statements have yet to materialize and definitely did not materialize in the initial promised timeline.

So Rigan at least and possibly the Machado family on a larger scale lied.

Now if Rigan for whatever humanitarian reasons wanted to stay in contact with the guy and try and help him reform or whatever, I personally wouldn't really care. Lying about it though that is a problem, attacking Georgette based on the substance of that lie is some seriously shady stuff.

Now I'm sure that you find some way to polish St. Rigan's halo, but for me, benefit of the doubt ended when they attacked Georgette with a lie. Now I want to know what precisely they are trying to hide.

As far as I understand, Georgette is an attorney, and a purple belt in BJJ, who has been training for a while now.

Rigan Machado does need me to defend him, and I merely repeat obvious facts.

I also suspect based on her own credentials as far as I understand them, that Georgette does not need other people to "defend her", and I mean that in the spirit of saying that I am quite certain she knows how to handle Internet or real world adversaries in an argument.

The fact that she rarely posts on Bullshido is a sign that she is probably more well adjusted than those of us who do.

[Michael Tzadok]

If Rigan spends time with Saucido, or if Rigan encourages Saucido to not repeat his prior crimes and encourages Saucido to stay sober, that is not my business nor concern.
But, regarding the claim that Rigan promoted Saucido to BJJ black belt, I certainly hope he did not, and until I see non-circumstantial proof of same, I have no reason to believe that Rigan did.

The high priest from the Church of St. Rigan makes his appearance once again.

Clearly Rigan and the Machado family lied about Rigan's ongoing relationship with Saucido. In fact the initial criticism of Georgette as a no life witch hunter with nothing better to do than smear the Machado name was predicated on the assertion that Rigan hadn't been in contact with Saucido for the last four years and we were told that Rigan and Carlos would be issuing statements to that effect by the end of the day yesterday. Then clear and irrefutable evidence that Rigan had been in contact with Saucido came to light, and the promised statements have yet to materialize and definitely did not materialize in the initial promised timeline.

So Rigan at least and possibly the Machado family on a larger scale lied.

Now if Rigan for whatever humanitarian reasons wanted to stay in contact with the guy and try and help him reform or whatever, I personally wouldn't really care. Lying about it though that is a problem, attacking Georgette based on the substance of that lie is some seriously shady stuff.

Now I'm sure that you find some way to polish St. Rigan's halo, but for me, benefit of the doubt ended when they attacked Georgette with a lie. Now I want to know what precisely they are trying to hide.

[Dr. Gonzo]

Considering the wife of Carlos Machado started bashing Georgette over this when she first broke the story including saying she absolutely knows that Rigan cut all ties 4yrs ago, I think it is safe to say that the Machado brothers already know. Delay in statement release is just problematic at this point.



Well the initial response from the Machado family via Carlos' wife was that Georgette is engaged in a smear campaign and Paul is lying because Rigan has had no contact with Paul in the last 4yrs. Then Georgette and BJJEE started posting evidence that Rigan has in fact been hanging with Paul... So I think that is a big issue.

If Rigan spends time with Saucido, or if Rigan encourages Saucido to not repeat his prior crimes and encourages Saucido to stay sober, that is not my business nor concern.

If Rigan does a seminar for charity at Saucido's school that is not my business nor concern.

If Rigan promoted to black belt in BJJ a known sex offender who is on record of pleading to a lesser plea after having raped somebody, then Rigan should expect widespread criticism for that.

If Rigan allowed Saucido's school with Saucido as an instructor to be one of his affiliate schools again, then Rigan should expect widespread criticism for that.

I would note that there has been no proof presented as of yet that Rigan or anybody qualified to do so actually promoted Saucido to black belt in BJJ.

Everything that has been presented as proof far that anybody may have promoted Saucido to a black belt in BJJ has been circumstantial,
and would not be proof I would accept outside of this type of investigation if someone walked in to my school and claimed they were a black belt in BJJ promoted by an 8th degree Coral Belt,
and the proof in this particular case also relies on a claim made by Saucido, a convicted sex offender.

I would also note that Saucido's school was not listed as a Rigan network affiliate school at the time Georgette posted this thread as far as I can tell.

I still hope that Rigan releases a statement to clarify his position on the matter as Rigan's name has been discussed so liberally prior to hearing from him.

However it took Rigan several months to respond to the folks who were complaining about his celebrity training program.
When Rigan did respond, his interview explained that he had one celebrity that he had promoted from that program,
and that celebrity rolled live and sparred almost everyday,
and that many of his celebrity students do want to spar (roll), and do in fact roll,
and that Rigan himself also actually rolls with the students in his celebrity training program,
BUT just like cops often like to roll with other cops and often for valid reasons,
the folks in the celebrity program are in a segregated program where everyone stays very aware
of what the members' "camera commitments" are so nobody gets a cross choke with a gi shave set up
or risks getting a black eye from rolling right before the day of a shoot where a delay could put a film behind or end up costing a $500,000 for every day of delay.
That whole thing got so blown out of proportion by people that obviously hadn't gone to watch the celebrity program,
and have not had experience training people who have to do public presentations or high level sales for a living.
I just had someone yesterday tell the class I was teaching,
"hey guys, I have to make a closing argument in court today for a big case and appear credible to the jury, so you can beat up my face tomorrow, but stay away from my face today, please."
This is a very common situation when teaching people who make a living with their face by presenting to the public.

Here is Rigan's response on the criticism about his celebrity members:
http://www.bjjee.com/interview/rigan...ited-sparring/

So, I think rapists should not be promoted to black belt in BJJ or Judo and certainly not be allowed to register as a black belt with any major sporting organization as a Coach unless they can pass a background check that affirms they are not rapists, not murderers, etc.

But, regarding the claim that Rigan promoted Saucido to BJJ black belt, I certainly hope he did not, and until I see non-circumstantial proof of same, I have no reason to believe that Rigan did.

[Kravbizarre]

Considering the wife of Carlos Machado started bashing Georgette over this when she first broke the story including saying she absolutely knows that Rigan cut all ties 4yrs ago, I think it is safe to say that the Machado brothers already know. Delay in statement release is just problematic at this point.



Well the initial response from the Machado family via Carlos' wife was that Georgette is engaged in a smear campaign and Paul is lying because Rigan has had no contact with Paul in the last 4yrs. Then Georgette and BJJEE started posting evidence that Rigan has in fact been hanging with Paul... So I think that is a big issue.

The plot thickens. i think in relation to the questionable things Rigan has done. When ever someone well known talks of him they always say hes such a nice guy, perhaps hes too nice for his own good?

[Michael Tzadok]

I agree. But now that Bjee has done a story, jiu jitsu times will either share that one or write their own article on the matter. Both these pages tend to get a hold of a person fir interview quick.

Remember that purple belt that self promoted to brown? Within a week he was interviewed on the matter. Rigan will make a statement soon, if he is unnaware im sure alot of people around him will be so he'll find out one way or another.

Considering the wife of Carlos Machado started bashing Georgette over this when she first broke the story including saying she absolutely knows that Rigan cut all ties 4yrs ago, I think it is safe to say that the Machado brothers already know. Delay in statement release is just problematic at this point.

So, started with a 'claim' from the Saucido dude on his Website that Rigan promoted him...and now it's sort of just being stated that's a FACT without proof...This thread title then STATES it as a fact...isn't that an issue/problem? Like, it's not posed as a question or anything? (Just asking...)

Issue: There are those photos of Saucido at the academy, and with Rigan in the car that are AFTER the date/time Rigan said he would/has cut ties with Saucido - valid question here in what the hell was Saucido doing at the school and Rigan doing with the photo after publicly distancing and decrying Saucido?

Issue: There's no statement yet (that I have seen) from Rigan about the Saucido's previous website claim that Rigan promoted him to Black Belt. I say previous because this reference has since been removed from Saucido's website as per the articles (BJJEE and Georgette's blog).

Answers and clarification are needed, and they need to come from more than speculation and random attribution of "Systema support" == "Promoting Sexual Offender Black Belt"...

Here's hoping that this comes soon, and it's a clear and solid refutation.

Well the initial response from the Machado family via Carlos' wife was that Georgette is engaged in a smear campaign and Paul is lying because Rigan has had no contact with Paul in the last 4yrs. Then Georgette and BJJEE started posting evidence that Rigan has in fact been hanging with Paul... So I think that is a big issue.

[Raycetpfl]

Next you are going to tell me that the earth is flat and man didn't land on the moon... Just pictures staged in a set somewhere.

Only if you train at a Kron Gracie associated school.

[Mr.Miyagi]

So, started with a 'claim' from the Saucido dude on his Website that Rigan promoted him...and now it's sort of just being stated that's a FACT without proof...This thread title then STATES it as a fact...isn't that an issue/problem? Like, it's not posed as a question or anything? (Just asking...)

Issue: There are those photos of Saucido at the academy, and with Rigan in the car that are AFTER the date/time Rigan said he would/has cut ties with Saucido - valid question here in what the hell was Saucido doing at the school and Rigan doing with the photo after publicly distancing and decrying Saucido?

Issue: There's no statement yet (that I have seen) from Rigan about the Saucido's previous website claim that Rigan promoted him to Black Belt. I say previous because this reference has since been removed from Saucido's website as per the articles (BJJEE and Georgette's blog).

Answers and clarification are needed, and they need to come from more than speculation and random attribution of "Systema support" == "Promoting Sexual Offender Black Belt"...

Here's hoping that this comes soon, and it's a clear and solid refutation.

[Kravbizarre]

That is a compelling argument. However, Rigan may still announce that he did not promote Saucido. It's still early yet.

I agree. But now that Bjee has done a story, jiu jitsu times will either share that one or write their own article on the matter. Both these pages tend to get a hold of a person fir interview quick.

Remember that purple belt that self promoted to brown? Within a week he was interviewed on the matter. Rigan will make a statement soon, if he is unnaware im sure alot of people around him will be so he'll find out one way or another.

[Dr. Gonzo]

Apply Occam's razor. A now very public, and very uncomplimentary story is circulating. If Rigan has nothing to do with that belt, he need only post as much to extricate himself from the story. As of yet, he has not. Even disregarding the circumstantial evidence, that should be troubling.

That is a compelling argument. However, Rigan may still announce that he did not promote Saucido. It's still early yet.

[ermghoti]

Rigan's network has 30 schools worldwide.

And the Machado collective has many more than that.

I don't know what Rigan's BH academy policies on walk ins are, whether everybody knows Saucido, what Saucido said, or how they checked his right to take those pictures if Rigan was not there.

But, I will sadly accept that Rigan promoted Saucido when either Rigan says he did, or there is a signed doc to that effect, or a picture of Rigan tying a belt around Saucido's waist.

Until such proof that directly shows a promotion to BJJ black belt of Saucido of Rigan, then why would I believe that it happened?

It is Fake, despite his delivery or other flaws, was not wrong in that I always judge the truth of a claim based on direct proof and evidence, not on hearsay, or indirect evidence that kind of sort of shows something weird is happening.

Lots of people lie about being promoted to Black Belt in a variety of arts, and we see people try this in BJJ as well.

Apply Occam's razor. A now very public, and very uncomplimentary story is circulating. If Rigan has nothing to do with that belt, he need only post as much to extricate himself from the story. As of yet, he has not. Even disregarding the circumstantial evidence, that should be troubling.