One of the historic members of the dirty dozen, John Will, received the incredible honor of being promoted to coral belt. Will was recently promoted by his long-time mentor Rigan Machado, who, along with the other Machado brothers, is John’s original instructor.
Check out some of John Will’s incredible martial arts journey below and how he got to this point.
John Will’s Early Life
John Will stands as a towering figure in the history of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), embodying the grit and innovation that defined the art’s early global expansion. Born on April 16, 1957, in Geelong, Victoria, Australia, Will’s martial arts journey began amid personal challenges.
Bullied during his school years despite his father’s role as a law enforcer, young John sought empowerment through physical discipline.
He started wrestling at a local church club before diving into Taekwondo at age 15, igniting a lifelong passion for combat sports.
John Will: The Martial Arts Nomad
The 1970s and early 1980s saw Will evolve into a true martial arts nomad, training extensively across Asia. He journeyed through Indonesia, Thailand, India, and Japan, mastering diverse styles and earning multiple black belts—a rarity in an era when cross-training was uncommon and often dismissed.
This eclectic foundation honed his adaptability, blending striking arts with grappling fundamentals. By the late 1980s, Will’s path intersected with BJJ during trips to Brazil and Los Angeles, where he encountered the revolutionary ground-fighting system developed by the Gracie family.
Will’s pivotal moment came in 1997 when he received his BJJ black belt from the Machado brothers, particularly Rigan Machado, with whom he forged a deep, enduring mentorship.
This promotion marked him as Australia’s first BJJ black belt and cemented his place in the legendary “Dirty Dozen”—the inaugural group of 12 non-Brazilians to achieve that rank.
The term “Dirty Dozen” was actually coined by Will himself during an interview, capturing the trailblazing spirit of these pioneers who faced skepticism and scarcity of resources to spread BJJ worldwide. Alongside figures like Craig Kukuk, Chris Haueter, and David Meyer, Will helped legitimize the art outside Brazil, enduring grueling training sessions and cultural barriers.
Pioneering Australian BJJ
As the only Australian in the group, his repeated trans-Pacific flights underscored his commitment, earning him extra respect among peers. Returning to Australia, John Will wasted no time pioneering BJJ Down Under.
He founded BJJ Australia, which grew into the largest organization of its kind outside Brazil, introducing the art to a continent hungry for effective self-defense. His influence extended to producing black belts like UFC fighters George Sotiropoulos, Elvis Sinosic, and Anthony Perosh, who carried BJJ into mixed martial arts prominence.
Will’s teaching philosophy emphasizes practicality over sport, integrating grappling into real-world scenarios. A three-time winner of Australia’s “Martial Arts Instructor of the Year” award, he conducts over 80 seminars annually across martial arts schools, adapting curricula for diverse groups—from children’s classes to elite military units.
Beyond the mat, Will has authored influential works, including the “Dirty Dozen Curricula” series and his autobiographical “Rogue Black Belt,” chronicling his unconventional path.
Contracted by the Australian Federal Police, the Defense Force, and even the U.S. Marine Corps at Quantico, he delivers defensive tactics training that bridges traditional BJJ with law enforcement needs.
His sessions prioritize scenario-based drills, reflecting his belief that jiu-jitsu’s true power lies in self-defense, not just competition. In a crowning achievement,
Australia’s First Coral Belt
John Will was recently promoted to coral belt—the prestigious 7th degree rank—by his longtime mentor, Rigan Machado, on September 14, 2025. This honor, reserved for black belts with at least 25-30 years of exemplary teaching and contribution, underscores Will’s lifetime dedication.
At 68, his coral belt not only validates decades of innovation but inspires a new generation, proving that BJJ’s pioneers continue to evolve and elevate the art.
Bobby is martial artist for almost 20 years with a BJJ black belt under Professor Sergio Miranda. He is also a karate black and former combat sports athlete, who loves all things grappling.