Machado's relationship with Ricardo Vieira extended well beyond the Cantagalo community, evolving into a deep and lasting professional partnership. Vieira, one of the most decorated competitors in BJJ history and a co-founder of Checkmat, recognized Machado's commitment and technical ability, eventually inviting him to serve as assistant instructor and deputy coach at Fight Zone Academy in Copacabana — Checkmat's headquarters in Rio de Janeiro.
This role placed Machado at the center of one of the sport's most competitive and prominent teams during a pivotal period in Checkmat's development. Teaching and training alongside Vieira sharpened his technical understanding and reinforced his credentials as both a practitioner and an instructor.
Machado's growth as a competitor reflected the standards of his environment. In 2007, competing at brown belt, he claimed gold at the Scandinavian Open and followed it with a silver medal in the absolute division at the same event — results that demonstrated his capacity to perform on the international stage. Two years later, he earned a silver medal at the 2009 Rio State Championship, a notable achievement within one of the world's most talent-dense BJJ landscapes. That same year, Ricardo Vieira formally awarded Machado his black belt, recognizing both his technical mastery and his years of dedicated service to the team.