A Brazilian Jiu Jitsu match that left black belt Willian Hiroyuki Masuda with a devastating cervical spine injury has now become the subject of a formal police investigation in Brazil, while his opponent, Juliano Di Pelli Machado, is also facing criticism over comments made in a private video that later circulated online.
The incident took place during a no gi competition at the Moringão gymnasium in Londrina, Paraná, on August 22.
Masuda, known in the BJJ community as “Kabuto,” suffered a fracture dislocation involving the C5 and C6 vertebrae after landing on his neck during an exchange with Machado.
The severity of the injury immediately transformed what happened on the competition mat into a much larger controversy.
Prosecutor Requests Police Investigation
Public prosecutor Renato de Lima Castro referred the case to Brazil’s Civil Police and requested an investigation into whether the incident could constitute serious bodily injury.
Civil Police have subsequently confirmed that a formal inquiry is underway.
Footage of the match shows Masuda in an inverted position during the exchange before being brought toward the mat, with his neck taking the impact.
The movement has been widely discussed in the BJJ community because of its resemblance to a pile driver or spike, where an inverted athlete is driven toward the mat while their head or neck is in a potentially dangerous position.
Spiking an opponent onto their head or neck is prohibited under major Brazilian Jiu Jitsu competition rules because of the potentially catastrophic consequences.
The prosecutor’s filing also reportedly highlighted the considerable size difference between the competitors.
Machado was listed at approximately 1.85m (6’1″) and 120kg (265 lbs), while Masuda was listed at around 1.67m (5’6″) and 80kg (176 lbs), a difference of approximately 40kg (88 lbs).
According to the filing, the prosecutor considered both the mechanics of the movement and the weight disparity relevant to assessing what happened.
Masuda Underwent Nearly 10 Hours Of Surgery
Masuda was treated at the tournament before being transferred for further medical care.
He subsequently underwent an operation lasting approximately 10 hours at the Evangelical Hospital.
Reports following the surgery indicated that he was conscious and stable, but the neurological consequences of the injury remained extremely serious.
More than a week after the accident, Masuda reportedly remained hospitalized and was unable to move his legs, while reports concerning movement and function in his upper extremities evolved as doctors continued monitoring his recovery.
A C5 and C6 spinal injury can have life changing consequences, making the footage particularly difficult to watch for many within the grappling community.
But the controversy intensified further after a private video recorded by Machado found its way onto social media.
Machado Faces Backlash Over Private Video
The morning after the competition, Machado reportedly recorded a video for a private group of his students in which he discussed what had happened during the match.
At the time, according to his lawyer, Machado did not yet understand the full severity of Masuda’s condition.
Once the recording escaped the private group and began circulating publicly, some of Machado’s comments about the sequence and his opponent were viewed as insensitive given the seriousness of Masuda’s injuries.
The reaction became particularly intense as reports emerged about the possibility that Masuda could face permanent neurological damage.
Machado’s attorney, Felipe de Melo, said the recording had been made before his client understood how badly Masuda had been injured.
Machado subsequently released another video addressing the controversy and offering his support directly to Masuda and his family.
He explained that the original recording had been made for his students with the intention of reassuring them and said that learning the true extent of Masuda’s injuries had left him shocked and extremely concerned.
Machado wished Masuda a strong recovery, expressed sympathy toward his family, friends and students, and said he was available to help in whatever way he could.
He also said he would not publicly debate the technical details of the match while an official investigation was taking place.
Regarding the authorities, Machado stated that he intended to cooperate fully and respect the outcome of the investigation.
Machado’s Defense Responds
Machado’s legal team also released a written statement expressing concern over Masuda’s condition and reiterating its support for the injured athlete and his family.
At the same time, the defense argued that determining exactly what happened during the match should be left to investigators rather than decided through social media reactions to individual clips.
His representatives also pointed toward Machado’s history as a competitor, including medals at major European and World level competitions, and said he had no previous record of unsportsmanlike behavior.
The investigation will now have to determine whether what happened constituted an illegal or reckless competition action that potentially carries legal consequences, or whether it should ultimately be regarded as a catastrophic sporting accident.
Tournament Organization Responds
Super Pro Jiu Jitsu, which organized the tournament, confirmed that Masuda received immediate assistance from the event’s medical staff and ambulance service before being transferred for additional treatment.
The organization said it has remained in contact with Masuda’s family and reiterated its commitment to competitor safety.
The incident has meanwhile triggered a wider discussion throughout Brazilian Jiu Jitsu about dangerous takedowns and slams, referee intervention and the responsibility competitors have to protect an opponent when they find themselves in potentially catastrophic positions.
Whatever conclusion Brazilian authorities ultimately reach regarding Machado’s actions, the consequences for Masuda are already very real.
A competition that should have lasted only a few minutes instead resulted in major spinal surgery, an uncertain recovery and a police investigation that will now examine exactly what happened on the mat that day.
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