Built for The Colony.
Built on the Carlos Machado Standard.
Carlos Machado Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in The Colony, TX. Led by Professor Madeley, a 5th Degree Black Belt under Carlos Machado, and Professor Thompson, a 1st Degree Black Belt with two IKF world-class kickboxing titles.
- 5th
- Degree Black Belt
- 39yr
- On the Mat (Thompson)
- 1
- Lineage: Carlos Machado
Why This Academy Exists.
Carlos Machado Jiu Jitsu - The Colony exists to bring the Carlos Machado standard of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu to The Colony. Professor Madeley began martial arts at age 7 in Karate and Tae Kwon Do. In 2001 at Texas Tech, Carlos Machado Black Belt Klay Pittman introduced him to BJJ. After college he trained at the original academy in Rio, then moved to Dallas to train directly under Carlos Machado, earning his black belt in 2009.
Professor Madeley has led students and teams to multiple DFW competition wins. The academy in The Colony is built on the same Carlos Machado curriculum he was raised on, taught honestly, taught patiently, and taught with the same standard whether you are a brand-new white belt or a competitive blue.
The Children's Program is led by Co-Owner Evan Thompson. Professor Thompson has 39 years on the mat across multiple disciplines, including a 2005 IKF North American Title and a 2009 IKF World Title. He runs the kids program with the same standard Professor Madeley sets for the adult side.
Carlos Machado Jiu Jitsu - The Colony is not a franchise and not a belt factory. Every instructor on staff was hired because they teach the way this academy is built to teach, with patience, with rigor, and with a clear sense of what each student needs to move forward.
5th Degree Black Belt under Carlos Machado
Black belt earned 2009
Multiple DFW competition wins as competitor and coach
Trained directly under Carlos Machado in Dallas
Michael Madeley
Owner and Head Instructor · Carlos Machado Jiu Jitsu - The Colony
Training Lineage
Professor Madeley started martial arts at age 7 in Karate and Tae Kwon Do. He was introduced to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in 2001 by Carlos Machado Black Belt Klay Pittman at Texas Tech. After college he trained at the original academy in Rio, then moved to Dallas to train directly under Carlos Machado. He earned his black belt in 2009 and has since led students and teams to multiple DFW competition wins.
He teaches the Adult BJJ Beginner and Adult BJJ Advanced classes and reviews every student's advancement personally before promotion. His approach to teaching is built on the same principle Carlos Machado taught him: technical mastery and personal character are inseparable, and a student who understands why they are doing something will always outperform a student who is just following instructions.
VIEW THE SCHEDULEAffiliations & Recognized Membership
CMJJ The Colony is an affiliate of the Carlos Machado Jiu Jitsu lineage and trains its curriculum in alignment with the standards of the organization below.
Every Instructor Here Was Hired for One Reason.
They teach the way this academy was built to teach. No exceptions, no shortcuts, no filler on the mat.
-
Michael Madeley
5th Degree Black Belt under Carlos Machado
Teaches: Adult BJJ (Beginner and Advanced), Conditioning
Started martial arts at age 7 in Karate and Tae Kwon Do. Introduced to BJJ in 2001 by Carlos Machado Black Belt Klay Pittman at Texas Tech. Trained at the original academy in Rio after college, then moved to Dallas to train directly under Carlos Machado. Earned black belt in 2009. Led students and team to multiple DFW competition wins.
-
Evan Thompson
1st Degree Black Belt · IKF Titles · 39 years training
Teaches: Children's Program, Wrestling, Kickboxing
39 years training, started at age 3. Backgrounds in Japanese Kempo Karate, American Kickboxing, Japanese Jiu-Jitsu, and BJJ. 2005 IKF North American Title. 2009 IKF World Title. 18 MMA fights.
-
Coach Tony
ISSA Master Trainer · Personal Trainer · Nutritionist
Teaches: Total Body Fitness and Nutrition, HIIT, Boxing, Powerlifting
ISSA Master Trainer (Personal Trainer, Exercise Therapist, Strength and Conditioning Coach, Nutritionist, Bodybuilding Specialist, Group Fitness Instructor). Trains HIIT, kickboxing, boxing, battle ropes, powerlifting, bodybuilding, strongman. Provides nutrition coaching and one-on-one personal training.
Four Words. Carlos Machado Standard. Zero Exceptions.
- Discipline
- Discipline is not punishment. It is the practice of doing what is required even when it is inconvenient, and building the habit of that until it becomes identity.
- Respect
- Respect is shown before it is taught. Every instructor models what they expect from students. It runs in both directions on the mat and off it.
- Effort
- Talent is not the standard. Effort is. Every student is expected to bring their full attention and full attempt to every class, regardless of skill level or time training.
- Growth
- Growth is the purpose of every class. Not entertainment, not exercise, not a belt. Progress that is visible, trackable, and earned by the student through consistent work.
What We Are Not.
- Not a McDojo.
- A McDojo promotes students on a payment schedule, not a performance standard. Every belt here requires a demonstration of actual technique in front of the head instructor. Students who are not ready do not test. This policy has cost us students who wanted the belt without the work. We are fine with that trade-off, and the parents of the students who stay understand exactly why it exists.
- Not a Belt Mill.
- Some schools test every 8 to 10 weeks regardless of progress. Our testing cycle is based on instructor assessment, not a calendar. A student might test in three months or in nine months depending on where they are and what the next rank genuinely requires. The belt means something here. Students know it and they earn it accordingly.
- Not a Fight Gym Without a Standard.
- We train students who want to compete and students who will never spar once in their life. Both receive the same quality of instruction and the same level of attention. Contact training is introduced at the right time for each student and is always supervised. We do not run a culture where toughness is performed at the expense of safety or where beginners feel like they do not belong on the mat.
What Families Are Saying
Live Google reviews and student feedback will appear here.
GHL Review Widget Embed Placeholder
Questions About Who We Are and How We Teach.
Who runs Carlos Machado Jiu Jitsu - The Colony?
Carlos Machado Jiu Jitsu - The Colony is owned and led by Michael Madeley, a 5th Degree Black Belt under Carlos Machado. The Children's Program is led by Co-Owner and Head Children's Instructor Evan Thompson, a 1st Degree Black Belt with 39 years of martial arts experience across Japanese Kempo Karate, American Kickboxing, Japanese Jiu-Jitsu, and BJJ, including the 2005 IKF North American Title and the 2009 IKF World Title. Total Body Fitness and Nutrition is led by Coach Tony, an ISSA Master Trainer.
What is the Carlos Machado lineage?
Carlos Machado is one of the most credible Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu lineages in the world. Carlos and his brothers (the Machado brothers) are nephews of Carlos Gracie. Professor Madeley trained directly under Carlos Machado and earned his black belt in 2009. The curriculum at this academy is taught from that lineage.
How are your instructors qualified?
Professor Madeley is a 5th Degree Black Belt under Carlos Machado. Professor Thompson is a 1st Degree Black Belt with two IKF kickboxing titles and 18 MMA fights. Coach Tony is an ISSA Master Trainer credentialed across personal training, strength and conditioning, exercise therapy, nutrition, bodybuilding, and group fitness. Every instructor teaches the discipline they are credentialed in.
How long have you been in The Colony?
The academy serves The Colony and surrounding communities including Carrollton. 5201 S Colony Blvd #575, The Colony, TX 75056 is our current location.
What is your approach to teaching kids?
Our approach to kids starts with the belief that children respond to clear expectations, consistent feedback, and genuine belief in their capability. We do not water down the curriculum to keep things easy. We adjust the pace and the method, but not the standard. Kids who train here are expected to focus, to listen, and to try. When they meet those expectations, they are recognized. When they fall short, they are coached, not shamed.
How do you handle different skill levels in one class?
Mixed skill levels in a single class are handled through tiered instruction. The technique being taught is the same for everyone, but the drilling partners, complexity of the variation, and the expectation for the live round are calibrated per student. A white belt and a higher belt can work through the same core class without one holding back the other.
What is your belt testing process?
Belt advancement is instructor-nominated, not calendar-based. When an instructor believes a student is ready for the next rank, they submit an advancement recommendation to Professor Madeley. The student then demonstrates the required techniques in a formal testing session. The belt means something here.
How is Carlos Machado Jiu Jitsu - The Colony involved in the local community?
We participate in community events, run free workshops periodically, and operate an After School Care program at thecolonysbestafterschool.com that picks up from local schools. Many of our students live within The Colony and surrounding Carrollton neighborhoods.
You Have Read the Story. Come See the Standard.
Pick a class time. Show up. Train. See for yourself whether this is the right fit before you commit. No contract, no pressure, no experience needed.
No contract · No experience required · Walk-ins welcome