Charlie Hunnam Jiu Jitsu: A Blue Belt that Loves BJJ
Charlie Hunnam started his BJJ journey in 2016 through his friend Guy Ritchie and is now a Blue Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under Rigan Machado.
The actor has always been very athletic and is best known for movie roles like Jax Teller in Sons of Anarchy and the title role in King Arthur: Legend of the Sword.
Check out Part 3 of our YouTube BJJ Celebrities Series, which also covers Charlie Hunnam’s complete Jiu Jitsu journey:
Charlie Hunnam Jiu Jitsu FAQ
Everything you need to know about Charlie Hunnam’s Jiu Jitsu Journey:
How Charlie Hunnam got into Jiu Jitsu
On The Late Late Show with James Corden Charlie Hunnam shares how he got into Brazilian Jiu Jitsu:
“I did a film with Guy Ritchie about 18 months ago, who is a Black Belt in Jiu Jitsu and so I got into doing a little Jiu Jitsu with old Ritchie.”
We wrote an in-depth article on Guy Richtie’s Jiu Jitsu journey and how he managed to earn Black Belts in Karate and BJJ. Check it out here.
On the set of King Arthur, Charlie Hunnam stated:
“It’s not even as much the physical benefit of training, it’s the mental. When you’re training every day in a combat discipline, it just gives you that eye of the tiger. Then if someone acts aggressively toward you, I can run all the scenarios through my head – you know, like I’m going to step to the side and put an elbow through your face.”
Charlie Hunnam promoted to BJJ Blue Belt
In 2018 Charlie Hunnam was promoted to the rank of Blue Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu by his coach Rigan Machado:
How Good is Charlie Hunnam at Jiu Jitsu?
Unfortunately, there’s no footage of Charlie Hunnam training or competing in BJJ.
However, Jean Jacques Machado, who is the brother of Rigan Machado, who is Charlie Hunnam’s Jiu Jitsu coach, posted on Instagram on August 29, 2019:
“With Charlie Hunnam, one of my brothers @riganmachado best students!”
There is an ongoing debate on if celebrities get handed their Jiu Jitsu Belts earlier than they should. On top of that, Charlie trains under Rigan Machado who coaches most Hollywood celebrities and created a special Jiu Jitsu training system for people who can’t get hurt:
“I created a new Jiu Jitsu system for people who can’t get hurt. It’s technical training. They learn Jiu Jitsu and technically train, but it’s all safe. I created a type of Jiu-Jitsu for the Beverly Hills clientele. Competition, sparring… these guys can’t do that. I can’t even take a 1% chance of them getting hurt. I have 18 celebrities doing this program. Some guys have to sign disclosure agreements; others like Ashton Kutcher and Mickey Rourke come in regularly, while Usher comes in once in a while and Vin Diesel when he’s in town.” – Rigan Machado
However, the Jiu Jitsu community usually doesn’t allow anyone to give out free belts and a legend like Rigan Machado will certainly make sure to give out belts only when they have been rightfully earned.
Charlie Hunnam’ Athletic Goals
Charlie aspires to be an athletic allrounder and aims for longevity. He once stated:
“I’m interested in having a high fitness level across the board. Running, swimming, jumping rope, hiking, Jiu-Jitsu, I try to do it all. I also try to make love as often as I can. That’s an important part of fitness. There’s no reason you can’t be active at 70. I want to run up mountains at that age.”
“We are supposed to be very active animals. It’s our DNA. Sweating is how I change my oil every day. I just feel happier, more positive, energized, and disciplined if I work out. I train a lot every day because I’m f****** crazy.”
Additionally, he made clear that his goal is to be a Jiu Jitsu Black Belt one day.
Conclusion
It is great to see another celebrity train Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Charlie seems to have found his place in the BJJ community and is loved by his coach and fellow practitioners.
Check out our complete list of BJJ celebrities:
Complete List of Celebrities that do BJJ
Which stars do Brazilian Jiu Jitsu?
Which belt ranks are the celebrities?
Tom Hardy | Keanu Reeves | Jason Statham | Ed O’Neill | Demi Lovato | Russell Brand | Maynard James Keenan | Ashton Kutcher | Guy Ritchie | Jonah Hill | Joe Rogan | Chuck Norris | Jason Momoa | Mario Lopez | Joey Diaz | Jim Carrey | Henry Cavill | Charlie Hunnam | Millie Bobby Brown | Shaquille O’Neal | Dave Bautista | Vin Diesel | Robert Pattinson | Kelly Slater
