About
Professor Lopez

Professor Lopez's
Journey

Professor Lopez began training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at the age of 16 under John De La O. He later expanded his training with Pride fighter Chris Brennan, Marco Ruas “The King of the Streets,” and at Cal State Long Beach with Eddie Martinez. In 2008, he competed in the Pan Ams and captured gold in the Masters Division as a purple belt.

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In his 30s, Professor Lopez joined John Machado’s Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy in El Segundo, CA. Under the legendary Machado lineage, he earned his black belt in 2013 and continues to train alongside Master John Machado to this day. For two years, Professor Lopez taught for Master John Machado at his academy in El Segundo. That time not only sharpened his technical expertise but continued to instill in him the Machado philosophy of teaching, which he carries into every class today.

On October 23, 2021, Professor Lopez was awarded his third stripe, making him a third-degree black belt under Master John Machado.

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Professor Lopez also played an integral role in the sport’s growth at the professional level. During his tenure with the UFC, he managed the West Coast Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu operations. Within his first three weeks, he attended a UFC tournament where six of his seven students earned gold medals, an early testament to his leadership and coaching ability. He also founded the Murrieta Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Club in California, where he built a thriving community of students.

Today, he continues that mission in Arizona, carrying forward the same mentality, technique, and skillset as the Machados. Professor Lopez teaches with a simple philosophy: he treats every student as a black belt in the making, regardless of their current experience.