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Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Singapore

John Machado Jiu-Jitsu Singapore at CADRE Academy

Develop your grappling through dedicated Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training at CADRE Academy, home of John Machado Jiu-Jitsu Singapore and part of Professor John D. Machado's Jiu-Jitsu lineage.

Build technical skill, positional understanding and the ability to apply what you learn through live, progressive training.

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What is John Machado Jiu-Jitsu Singapore?


John Machado Jiu-Jitsu Singapore is the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu programme at CADRE Academy, representing the Jiu-Jitsu lineage of Professor John D. Machado in Singapore. Led by Professor Leon Koh, the programme provides dedicated BJJ training focused on technical understanding, positional control, escapes, submissions and live grappling.


The programme welcomes beginners as well as experienced practitioners who want to develop their Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu within a recognised lineage and a structured learning environment.


At CADRE, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is taught as a dedicated discipline while also complementing our broader Integrated Jiujitsu and self-defence training. Students can train specifically in BJJ, continue with Integrated Jiujitsu, or use both to develop greater depth and breadth in their training.

What Will You Learn in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu develops the ability to solve grappling problems through position, control, leverage and timing. At CADRE, students learn progressively—from understanding fundamental positions and movement to applying techniques against increasing resistance through live training.

Position & Movement

Learn how to move efficiently, maintain strong positions and recognise when to advance, escape or change position

Control & Escapes

Develop the ability to control from dominant positions while learning how to stay composed, create space and escape from disadvantageous positions.

Submissions & Defence

Learn joint locks, chokes and their defences progressively, with an emphasis on technical understanding, control and safe training.

Live Grappling

Apply what you learn against active resistance through positional training and rolling, developing timing, adaptability and decision-making.

Rather than learning techniques in isolation, students develop an understanding of why and when techniques work, building skills they can adapt as their experience grows.

The John Machado Jiu-Jitsu Lineage

Professor John D. Machado is one of the five Machado brothers and an internationally recognised Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu pioneer. His approach emphasises technical understanding, adaptability and developing Jiu-Jitsu around the individual practitioner.


CADRE Academy has been appointed to represent Professor Machado’s Jiu-Jitsu lineage in Singapore. Founder and Head Coach Leon Koh is recognised by Professor Machado as a First Degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt and Professor, leading John Machado Jiu-Jitsu Singapore at CADRE Academy.


This relationship also builds on CADRE’s long-standing development under Grandmaster Avi Nardia, a senior student of Professor Machado and an important influence on CADRE’s Jiu-Jitsu and self-defence programmes.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu & Integrated Jiujitsu: Two Complementary Paths

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Integrated Jiujitsu are distinct but complementary programmes at CADRE Academy. BJJ provides specialised depth in grappling, while Integrated Jiujitsu develops broader self-defence capability across striking, grappling, weapons and different types of real-world interaction.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ)

Develop deeper grappling skills

  • Learn how to control and move around an opponent

  • Escape when caught in difficult positions

  • Use and defend against joint locks and chokes

  • Practise against a resisting training partner

  • Develop timing, problem solving and adaptability

  • Progress within the John Machado Jiu-Jitsu lineage

    Best suited to students who want to develop Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as a dedicated martial art and build deeper grappling skills.

    • Integrated Jiujitsu

    Broader skills for practical self-defence

  • Strike, grapple and control an aggressor

  • Defend yourself while standing or on the ground

  • Create space, get away and return to safety

  • Use and defend against common weapons

  • Recognise danger and make better decisions

  • Apply skills through realistic scenarios

    Best suited to students who want broader self-defence training that develops physical skills alongside awareness, decision-making and the ability to adapt to different situations.

    • You don't have to choose one or the other.

    Students may train specifically in BJJ or Integrated Jiujitsu, or combine both depending on their goals. Training in both provides greater grappling depth through BJJ while maintaining the broader self-defence context of IJJ.

    Starting Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at CADRE

    Our Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu programme is designed to give beginners a clear and structured way to start. No previous BJJ or martial arts experience is required. Students learn progressively, developing sound fundamentals, safe training habits and the confidence to work with increasing resistance.

    Start with Strong Foundations

    Learn movement, position, control, escapes and submissions progressively, with time to understand both how techniques work and how to practise them safely.

    Learn Through Progressive Resistance

    Develop skills through partner drills, positional training and live grappling as your ability grows. The aim is not simply to collect techniques, but to learn how to apply them against appropriate resistance.

    Train with Control and Responsiblity

    Learn to work with different training partners, adjust intensity appropriately and develop the control needed to train safely while still providing meaningful resistance.

    Already Have BJJ Experience?

    Practitioners with previous BJJ experience are welcome, provided they are comfortable training within CADRE's approach. Previous experience is respected, while control, safety and constructive training are expected from everyone on the mat.

    Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Class Schedule

    John Machado Jiu-Jitsu Singapore trains at CADRE Academy in Singapore. Our dedicated BJJ class is structured to help beginners build strong foundations while developing progressively through regular training.

      FRIDAY | 8:30 PM - 10:00 PM

      SATURDAY | 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM

      Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
      John Machado Jiu-Jitsu Singapore at CADRE Academy

      Beginner-friendly

      Start BJJ Training

      New students are welcome. No previous Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu or martial arts experience is required.

    Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu FAQs

    + Do I need experience to start Brizilian Jiu-Jitsu

    No. CADRE's Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu programme is designed to give beginners a clear and structured way to start. No previous BJJ or martial arts experience is required, and students develop progressively from fundamental movement and positions to training with increasing resistance.

    + Is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu suitable for beginners

    Yes. Beginners are a primary focus of the BJJ programme at CADRE Academy. Training begins with strong fundamentals, safe training habits and technical understanding before students progress towards more demanding partner work and live grappling.

    + What is the difference between Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Integrated Jiujitsu?

    Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu develops specialised depth in grappling, while Integrated Jiujitsu develops broader skills for practical self-defence. BJJ focuses on movement, control, escapes, submissions and live grappling. IJJ integrates striking, grappling, weapons, awareness, decision-making and realistic scenario training.

    + Is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu useful for self-defence?

    Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu develops grappling skills that can contribute to self-defence, particularly control, escapes and the ability to function under physical resistance. However, self-defence can also involve striking, weapons, multiple people, awareness and decision-making. At CADRE, these broader areas are addressed through Integrated Jiujitsu and our self-defence training.

    + Who is Professor John D. Machado?

    Professor John D. Machado is one of the five Machado brothers and an internationally recognised Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu pioneer. CADRE Academy has been appointed to represent his Jiu-Jitsu lineage in Singapore, with Founder and Head Coach Leon Koh recognised by Professor Machado as a First Degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt and Professor.

    + Can experienced BJJ practitioners train at CADRE?

    Yes. Practitioners with previous Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu experience are welcome if they are comfortable training within CADRE's approach. Previous experience is respected, while control, safety and constructive training are expected from everyone on the mat.

    + When are Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes at CADRE Academy?

    Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu currently trains every Friday from 8:30 PM to 10:00 PM & Saturday 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM at CADRE Academy in Singapore. The class is beginner-friendly, and no previous BJJ or martial arts experience is required.