Rafael Mendes - The King of Featherweight BJJ Division

1. Rafael Mendes Details

2. Rafael Mendes Biography

2.1. Who is Rafael Mendes?

Rafael Mendes, famously known as Rafa Mendes, is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt World Champion. Rafael, the king of grappling, became famous because of the perfect execution of the 50/50 guard and berimbolo position. Rafael is also the brother of another Jiu-Jitsu World Champion Guilherme Mendes.

Rafael started BJJ training with his brother Guilherme and under the supervision of his older cousin Thiago Mendes. (Purple Belt under Leonardo Santos at that time) After training for a few months, Thiago realized Rafael’s quick learning pace and decided to create a mutual space to train them with Leonardo Santos at Academy Headquarters.

2.2. Rafael Mendes Amature Fights And BJJ Career

At the Age of 13, Rafael Mendes received his Yellow Belt. At 15, Rafel won more titles and Gold Medals. He fought in the colored belt categories and won many competitions.

2.3. Rafael Mendes Mature Fights And Journey To Black Belt

At 17, he moved to the featherweight category and won the World Championship at the Brown Belt level. At the Age of 18, Rafael was promoted to Black Belt by coach Ramon Lemos. Rafael became the first youngest fighter to become the champion at ADDC at the age of nineteen. Rafael also won his first World Championship in the Black Belt at the age of nineteen.

2.4. Rafael Winning The Second Black Belt Title As A Worldwide Fighter

At 21, Rafael won his second World Title as a Black Belt and became the youngest man to win two consecutive ADCC Titles. At the age of twenty-two, he won his third World Title in the Black Belt division. At the age of 24, Rafael won his fourth World Title and his fifth World title at the age of twenty-five.

2.5. Losing a Fight against Bruno Frazatto

Although he has never competed without BJJ Gi before he was enlisted by Ramon Lemos in ADCC Brazilian Trails, At the age of 17, which proved a very difficult trail for him, and resultantly he had to accept defeat against Bruno Frazatto( who became his friend at Atos)

2.6. Competition in Abu Dhabi

Rafael also won the Jiu-Jitsu World Pro-Abu Dhabi Cup in 2008. For Rafael, it was the world's toughest competition. He was successful in winning the Gold Medal in the ADCC finals. The competition was against Rubens Charles Maciel (the person who was considered the best fighter of 2009 by the Brazilian Press)

2.7. Rafael’s Retirement

He had a remarkable career, he maintained his winning streak. He was considered the best grappler of his generation. Rafael Mendes, at the age of 26, decided to spend time with his family and his work as a coach at his own academy “Art of Jiu-Jitsu” in Costa Mesa, California.

2.8. Rafael Founded His Own Academy “Art of Jiu Jitsu”

He conducted many seminars, Rafael and his brother, Guilherme Mendes who is also a world champion, decided to have a traditional BJJ school to teach. In July 2012, Rafael Mendes and his fellow champion and brother decided to open the academy under the name of “Art of Jai Jitsu” with the help of a long-term sponsor and RVCA founder Pat Tenore.

2.9. Rafael Mendes Family And Personal Life

Rafael Mendes is married to (Samira Mendes) and a father of two kids(a daughter and a son).

3. Rafael Mendes Historic Fights

3.1. Rafael Mendes Vs Rubens Cobrinha

Rafael had an amazing fight with the legendary Rubens Cobrinha. Both fighters toiled to win. Rafael tried an arm-triangle choke, which was very difficult to survive, Cabrinha tried to free himself but Rafael strangled him firmly. Cobrinha had no chance to free himself except tap for submission.

3.2. Rafael Mendes vs Justin Rader

This is Rafael’s amazing fight with Justin Rader. Rafael tried his favorite armbar but Justin survived it. Finally, Rafael tried Triangle Choke and Justin tapped out.

4. Rafael’s Record/ Medals

ADCC World Championship

5. Rafael’s Main Achievements (Belt)

5.1. Achievement as a Black Belt

Year	Position	Event
2010	1st place	IBJJF World Championship
2011	1st place	IBJJF World Championship
2012	1st place	IBJJF World Championship
2014	1st place	IBJJF World Championship
2015	1st place	IBJJF World Championship
2016	1st place	IBJJF World Championship
2009	1st place	ADCC world Championship
2011	1st place	ADCC world Championship
2012	1st place	IBJJF pans Championship
2011	1st place	IBJJF pans Championship
2009	1st place	IBJJF European Open
2010	1st place	IBJJF European Open
2014	1st place	IBJJF European Open
2009	Ist place	Abu Dhabi Pro
2010	Ist place	Abu Dhabi Pro
2010	1st place	CBJJ Brazilian Nationals
2013	2nd place	IBJJF World Championship
2013	2nd place	ADCC World Championship
2011	2nd place	Abu Dhabi Pro

5.2. Rafael’s Colored Belt Main Achievements

Year	Belts	Event	Position
2006	IBJJF World Championship	Blue	1st
2007	IBJJF World Championship	Purple	1st
2008	IBJJF World Championship	Brown	1st
2006	CBJJ Brazilian Nationals	Blue	1st
2007	CBJJ Brazilian Nationals	Purple	1st

6. Rafael Mendes Achievements By Weight Class

Year	Weight Class
2009, 2011, 2013	-66 kg

ADCC South American Championship

Year	Weight Class
2009	-66kg

World Championship

Year	Weight Class
2009 to 2016	-70 kg

Pan American Championship

Year	Weight Class
2012, 2013	-70 kg

Brazilian  National Championship

Year	Weight Class
2010	70 kg

World Cup

Year	Weight Class
2009, 2010, 2011	-65 kg

No-Gi World Cup

Year	Weight Class
2011	-65 kg
2011	Absolute

San Francisco International Open

Year	Weight Class
2013	-70 kg

7. Rafael Mendes Grappling Record Breakdown

100 Matches	93 Wins	7 Losses
By points	26	1
By Advantage	5	1
By Submission	59	0
By Decision	2	4
By Penalties	1	0
By DQ	0	1

7.1 Guilherme Mendes Submission Record Breakdown

Submission Method	59 Wins	0 Loss
Armbar	19	0
RNC Choke	4	0
Choke	3	0
Brabo Choke	3	0
Kimura	2	0
Anaconda Choke	1	0
Cross Choke	1	0
Choke from Back	13	0
Wrist Lock	4	0
Triangle	3	0
Triangle Armbar	3	0
Bow and Arrow	2	0
Inverted Triangle	1	0

8. Rafael Mendes Submission/Grappling Match History

9. Rafael Mendes Historic Fight Links

Photo credit: @mendesbros , @bjjfanatics