Guilherme Mendes: 4 Times IBJJF World Champion

Guilherme was born in Rio Claro, Brazil in 1988.  He started his BJJ career with his younger brother Rafael Mendes in 2001. Guilherme is known by the name of Gui. His cousin helped both brothers to enroll in the local Kids Jiu-Jitsu academy. Giu is famous for his four IBJJF World Championship Golds among many others.

Ramon Lemos and Leanardo Santos helped Gui to master the BJJ technique. Lemos was also a member of “Atos Academy” Run by “Andre Galvao”, he trained Gui to achieve the Gold Medal in (IBJJF) in 2009. Gui also co-founded BJJ Academy, “The art of Jiu-Jitsu” located in Costa Mesa, California.

In the absence of their father, Lemos played the role of a responsible father and instructor. After the sheer hard work under coach Lemos, Gui became a shining star of BJJ and captured the attention of the BJJ community.

At the start of his colored belt-level competitions, Gui dominated almost every fight and championship. He secured Gold in the IBJJF World Championship as a Purple Belt, Blue Belt, and as Brown Belt fighter. He also won every fight in the Brazilian National Championship.

Guilherme Mendes proved himself in all belt levels and was finally promoted to Black Belt in October 2008 by Ramon Lemos. He started competing as a Black Belt fighter and lost the quarterfinal of Abu Dhabi World Pro and also lost the Semi-Final of the Pan American Championship but did not lose heart and continued to improve his Jiu-Jitsu game. Finally, he started his Championship Gold winning streak by winning his first IBJJF World Championship by defeating Samuel Braga.

Mendes's Brother's Relocation Migration to the United States

Guilherme brothers moved to the United States in 2012 and opened their own gym in California.

In 2010, in the semifinals of the IBJJF European Championship, Gui defeated Edivaldo Ferreira by submission and qualified for the final. In the final, he faced World Champion Pablo Silva. Both fighters put on a very close and brave fight and Gui secured a victory by advantage and earned his first Gold.

In 2010, Gui won all his fights and reached the final of Abu Dhabi World Pro BJJ. It was one the most anticipated finals of World Pro because it turns out the Mendes brothers; Rafael and Guilherme had to fight for the title. Both brothers showcased their best technical moves. It was an elite show of advanced grappling skills. In the end, Gui lost the fight to his younger brother Rafael Mendes by 4-2.

Right after the title loss to his younger brother, Gui won the Brazilian Championship by securing a win against Gabriel Morales by 4 Points.

Gui maintained his winning streak and participated in the IBJJF World Championship of 2011. In the Quarterfinals, Gui faced Milton Carlos and Laercio Fernandes and won both fights by submission.

In the semifinals, taking confidence from the continuous winning streak, Gui dominated the fight and fought one of his career-best BJJ bouts. He was set to face Samuel Braga in the Semifinal, whom Gui defeated in the 2010 IBJJF final by an advantage. A semifinal rematch of the contestants of the previous final, what were the odds! This time, Gui defeated Berga by 4-2 points and continued preparing for the final.

For the final, Gui was set to face Ary Farias (another Atos member). Gui secured another World Champion Title win by defeating Ary Farias and earned second Gold in the IBJJF World Championship. 

After the relocation to California, Gui won his way to the final of the IBJJF World Championship and faced Laercio Fernandes in the final. Gui earned his third IBJJF World Championship against Laercio Fernandes.

In 2014, Gui won his way up to the final by defeating all the opponents and faced World Champion Paulo Miyao in the Final and secured a fourth IBJJF World Championship victory.

At the age of 26, Guilherme had already established a distinguished career in BJJ. In July 2012, the Mendes brothers decided to open an Academy under the name of “Art of Jiu Jitsu”. They initiated this project by collaborating with RVCA; a clothing (martial art wear) company owned by Pat Tenore while maintaining their affiliation with Ramon Lemos and Atos.

“We all have different goals that we set up for our lives. When I started Jiu Jitsu at 12 years old my goal was to become really good at it, because I knew that being really good at something would provide me a chance to have a good future and build a family. When I got my Black Belt, I realized that slowly my dream was turning into reality. Last year I won my 4th World Title in the Black Belt division, the number that the IBJJF requires to make you eligible for the IBJJF Hall of Fame. My life has changed a lot and I feel very blessed to have the option to redirect my goals, dedicating myself to doing something bigger than just competing.”

“It’s a new chapter in my life, and to achieve my goals I’ll put the same effort that I’ve put into becoming the athlete that I am today. I want to lead my team, become the best I can be as a leader and professor, work to create the best athletes in the sport, keep innovating the art, and build a team of champions that people have never seen before. Today, this is what drives me forward. I know that winning another gold medal would feel good for the moment, and would make me proud of myself one more time, but I’m ready to do something bigger now and I know that I can do it.”

Gui retired from professional competition after winning his fourth World Championships, required for the IBJJF Hall of Fame, and decided to concentrate on the development of his Jiu-Jitsu Academy.

This was an amazon fight with Sebastian Lali, who is also a great BJJ, UFC, and Muay Thai fighter. Guilherme defeated Sebastian Lali with a neck Choke.

Paulo and Gui got strangled in the 50/50 position. Guilherme Mendes had an amazing collar lock but Paul was able to free himself. Both fighters had secured the 2 points. Guilherme Mendes had an amazing ankle lock and Mendes was awarded advantage points.

Guilherme Mendes Vs Francielio Fernandes

Guilherme Mendes Vs Ichiro Kaneko

Guilherme Mendes Vs Queixinho

Photo credit: @mendesbros