BJJ

Rafaela Guedes - WNO’S Women Heavyweight Champion

Rafaela Guedes - WNO’S Women Heavyweight Champion

1. Rafaela Guedes’ Details

Rafaela Guedes’ Details
Name Rafaela Ribeiro Guedes
Nickname N/A
Born Manaus, Brazil
Date of Birth 23rd May 1992
Nationality Brazilian
College/University N/A
Last Fight 2022
Last Weigh In 79.3 Kg / 175.0 lbs
Weight Class Pesado (79.3 Kg / 175.0 lbs)
Weight 79.3 Kg / 175.0 lbs
Height 5’6”
Career Disclosed Earning N/A
Fighting out of Brazil
Foundational Style Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Favorite Technique Lasso Guard, Closed Guard
Rank BJJ Black Belt
Awarded by Andre Galvao & Angelica Galvao
Head Coach Andre Galvao
Lineage Carlos Gracie -> Roger Gracie -> Osvaldo Alves -> Luis Dagmar -> Andre Galvao (-> Angelica Galvao) -> Rafaela Guedes
Team Association Atos Jiu-Jitsu
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2. Rafaela Guedes’ Biography

Rafaela Guedes is a BJJ Black Belt under Andre Galvao, who is a 4th-Degree BJJ Black Belt. Rafaela became famous when she was only a Brown Belt by earning important titles in the IBJJF and UAEJJF championships.

2.1. Rafaela Guedes’ Early Life

Rafaela Guedes was born on 23rd May 1992 in Manaus which is located on the banks of the Negro River in the northwestern side of Brazil and is also the capital of the state of Amazonas.

As a Handball Player

Rafaela was an athletic child from the very start. She was an active handball player during her school life. She joined the handball team when she was 10 years old. As she was born and raised in Manaus, she had the native Brazilian fighting spirit which appeared when she became a professional grappler.

Suffered From Injury

When Rafaela was 16 years old, she suffered from a knee injury. Her mother, who was concerned about her health, did not allow her to continue handball.

Went Into Depression

Her mother’s decision impacted her health. It demotivated her physical and mental health. She suffered from depression and also gained a lot of weight as she disconnected from almost every physical activity. At the time, she got many invitations to train in BJJ but she refused all of them.

How Rafaela Guedes Got Into BJJ?

Her grandmother’s adoptive son used to train in BJJ, so from the very start Rafaela was aware of Jiu-Jitsu. She was part of the local BJJ community and was a keen spectator of BJJ fights. When she turned 17, she decided to try BJJ. She only wanted to train in BJJ to lose weight. But she was unaware of her successful future career in BJJ.

“I was a teenager struggling with my weight and my confidence. At that time, training seemed like a good way to drop the pounds and get in shape. Not for a second I imagined it would become my career”.
(Rafaela Guedes)

Joined Coach Dailson Pinheiro’s Gym

When Rafaela Guedes earned her Blue Belt at a local social project in Jiu-Jitsu, she joined coach Dailson Pinheiro’s gym in Manaus to train in BJJ. Her only motivation was to lose weight.

Became Serious Towards BJJ

As long as Rafaela was in school, she did not take BJJ seriously. She was going out with her friends. But when she finished school, she became serious and fully committed to BJJ. She even adopted a healthy lifestyle.

Took 6 Months Off Training

When Rafaela lost in the matches in the US, she was very heartbroken. She came back to Brazil and left training for 6 months.

Moved to Sao Paulo

After a year of becoming a Purple Belt, she moved to Sao Paulo and was exposed to a much bigger BJJ circuit than she was in Manaus. She joined the New School Brotherhood Academy and became friends with a fellow training comrade, Luiza Monteiro.

Joined Atos Academy In San Diego

Rafaela then moved to San Diego and joined Atos Academy. She trained under Andre Galvao who is the founder of Atos Academy and his wife Professor Angelica Galvao who is one of the top female grapplers of all time.

Visited Atos Headquarters

In 2018, Rafaela visited Atos Headquarters to meet Luiza Monteiro and also trained at Atos Headquarters. She went back to San Diego in 2019 and then joined Atos Academy permanently.

2.2. Rafaela Guedes’ Pro BJJ Combats

Competed in the Absolute Weight Division

When she became serious about BJJ, she started competing. She was afraid of the absolute weight division which is an open-weight style BJJ tournament in which competitors compete regardless of weight class.

“I was only a Blue Belt then and I was terrified of the absolute division. My professor signed me up for it and I won. The grand prize was a trip to the 2014 World Jiu-Jitsu Championship in Long Beach California”.
(Rafaela Guedes)

When Rafaela came to the United States, she realized that she had to train harder. Her previous BJJ knowledge and skill level were not enough to make further progress.

Received Purple Belt

After returning to training after a 6 month gap, she again joined coach Dailson Pinheiro’s gym. She received her Purple Belt from Professor Pinheiro.

Promoted to Black Belt

In September 2020, she was promoted to Black Belt by Andre Galvao. After that, she became internationally recognized as one of the top rising female grapplers.

UAEJJF Grand Slam

She secured the 1st position at the UAEJJF Grand Slam, MIA in 2020 while being a Brown Belt.

Fight 2 Win Champion

In January 2021, she won the crown of Fight 2 Win 162 Champion in Miami, Florida. She defeated the World Champion Ana Vieira in the final.

WNO Women Heavyweight Champion

In March 2021, Rafaela won the title of WNO Women Heavyweight Champion when she defeated Maggie Grindatti with an impressive Rear Naked Choke.

2.3. Rafaela Guedes’ Historic Fights

Rafaela Guedes Vs. Tara White

Tara White is a BJJ Black Belt under Carlson Gracie Jr. The way she fought Rafaela showed that she has developed a well-rounded BJJ game. At the start of the match, Tara pinned Rafaela to the ground and she had a strong hand lock around Rafaela’s leg.

While on the other hand, Rafaela had a stronghold of Tara’s legs. Rafaela applied the underhook to separate herself from Tara’s strong grip. And finally, she got out of Tara’s hold and used the underhook to run around to the back and grab Tara.

Rafaela Guedes scored 4 points from the Rear Mount and 2 advantage points. She again scored 2 points from the sweep from the guard. Rafaela then scored 4 more points and won the match.

Year Event Opponent W/L/D Method Stage Weight Class Location
2020 IBJJF Nogi Pan Championship Tara White Win Pts:14x0 Quarter Final ABS Atlanta, Georgia

Rafaela Guedes Vs. Elisabeth Clay

Elisabeth Clay is a professional BJJ grappler and a BJJ Black Belt. Clay tried to apply the closed guard but Rafaela did not let her. Rafaela scored 3 points by passing the guard against Elisabeth Clay. She then transitioned to the top. Later Rafaela scored 4 more points by applying the mount. Rafaela had the double underhook around Clay. Rafaela tried to apply for the guard pass but could not retain it so she did not get any points. Rafaela won the match against Clay. She won the Gold Medal by winning the final.

Year Event Opponent W/L/D Method Stage Weight Class Location
2021 IBJJF World No-Gi Elisabeth Clay Win Pts:7x0 Final ABS Texas, USA

Rafaela Guedes Vs. Gabrielle McComb

Gabi McComb is a BJJ Black Belt under Leticia Ribeiro. Her grappling game is explosive. She did not let Rafaela score any points throughout the match. Rafeala tried to take Gabrielle down but Gabi rolled out of it. Rafaela scored 2 advantage points for the application of 2 consecutive takedown attempts. She did not let Gabi score points and Rafaela Guedes won the match.

Year Event Opponent W/L/D Method Stage Weight Class Location
2020 Nogi Pan Championship Gabrielle McComb Win Pts:0x0, Adv Semi Final Open Class Atlanta, Georgia

2.4. Rafaela Guedes’ Championships

National

Year Event Belt Position
2016 CBJJ Brazilian Nationals N/A 3rd
2017 CBJJ Brazilian Nationals N/A 3rd
2018 CBJJ Brazilian Nationals Purple 3rd
2017 UAEJJF Grand Slam, RJ Purple 2nd

International

Year Event Belt Position
2019 IBJJF World Championship Brown 1st
2020 UAEJJF Grand Slam, MIA Brown 1st
2020 UAEJJF Grand Slam, MIA Black 1st
2019 IBJJF World Championship No-Gi Brown 3rd
2021 IBJJF World Championship No-Gi Black 1st
2011 ADCC Black 2nd

Record

  • WNO Women Heavyweight Champion
  • 2 Times IBJJF World Champion No-Gi
  • IBJJF Pan Champion Gi & No-Gi

3. Rafaela Guedes’ Main Achievements

3.1. Gi Tournaments

Year Event Weight Class Position
2020 IBJJF Pan Championship ABS 1st
2019 IBJJF World Championship ABS 3rd
2019 IBJJF World Championship ABS 3rd
2016 CBJJ Brazilian Nationals ABS 3rd

3.2. No-Gi Tournaments

Year Event Weight Class Position
2021 IBJJF World Championship ABS 1st
2020 IBJJF Pan Championship ABS 1st
2019 IBJJF World Championship ABS 3rd

4. Rafaela Guedes’ Main Achievements (Belts)

Year Event Belt Position
2019 IBJJF World Championship Brown 1st
2017 UAEJJF Grand Slam, LA Purple 1st
2019 UAEJJF Grand Slam, LA Brown 3rd
2016 IBJJF World Championship Purple 3rd

5. Rafaela Guedes’ Professional Record Breakdown

36 Matches 30 Wins 6 Losses
By Submissions 12 0
By Points 8 2
By Advantages 3 1
By Decision 7 3

5.1. Submission W/L Methodsth

Submission Method 12 Wins 0 Losses
Armbar 3 0
Rear Naked Choke 2 0
Amassa Pao Choke 1 0
Omoplata 1 0
Guillotine 2 0
Triangle Armbar 1 0
Inside Heel Hook 1 0
Anaconda Choke 1 0

6. Rafaela Guedes’ Fight History

Year Event Opponent W/L/D Method Weight Class Stage
2020 IBJJF Pan American Championship Vannessa Griffin W Pts:11x0 69 Kg SF
2020 IBJJF Pan American Championship Claire North W Pts:0x0, Adv 69 Kg S
2020 IBJJF Pan American Championship Jessica Flowers W Pts:2x0 ABS 4F
2020 IBJJF Pan American Championship Maria Malyjasiak W Pts:2x2, Adv ABS F
2020 Subversiv 4 Christina Briggs W Armbar ABS R1
2020 Subversiv 4 Amanda Leve L Referee Decision ABS 4F
2020 Subversiv 4 Fatima Kleine W Referee Decision ABS SF
2020 No-Gi Pan American Tara White W Omoplata ABS 4F
2020 No-Gi Pan American Gabi McComb W Rear Naked Choke ABS SF
2020 No-Gi Pan American Vanessa Griffin W Pts:0x0, Adv ABS F
2020 Fight 2 Win 158 Elisabeth Clay W Referee Decision 70 Kg SPF
2021 Fight 2 Win 162 Ana Vieira W Referee Decision N/A SPF
2021 WNO 7 Maggie Grindatti W Rear Naked Choke ABS SPF
2021 Subversive 5 Juliana Fortuna W Anaconda Choke ABS 4F
2021 Subversive 5 Maggie Grindatti W Armbar ABS SF
2021 Subversive 5 Nathalie Ribeiro W Referee Decision ABS F
2021 WNO 10 Erin Harpe L Referee Decision ABS SPF
2021 WNO Championship Elisabeth Clay W Referee Decision ABS 4F
2021 WNO Championship Amanda Leve W Referee Decision ABS SF
2021 WNO Championship Kendall Reusing W Guillotine ABS F
2021 No-Gi Worlds Elizabeth Mitrovic W Armbar 76 Kg SF
2021 No-Gi Worlds Maria Malyjasiak W Referee Decision 76 Kg SF
2021 No-Gi Worlds Maggie Grindatti W Triangle Armbar ABS 4F
2021 No-Gi Worlds Maria Malyjasiak W Pts:6x0 ABS SF
2021 No-Gi Worlds Elisabeth Clay W Pts:10x0 ABS F
2022 IBJJF World Championship Tara White W Pts:5x0 79 Kg 4F
2022 IBJJF World Championship Melissa Cueto W Pts:2x0 79 Kg SF
2022 IBJJF World Championship Larissa Dias L Pts:0x0, Adv 79 Kg F
2022 IBJJF World Championship Kristin Mikkelson W Pts:2x0 ABS R1
2022 IBJJF World Championship Luciane Santos W Amassa Pao Choke ABS 4F
2022 IBJJF World Championship Gabrieli Pessanha L Pts:2x0 ABS SF
2022 Subversiv 7 Michelle Lopez W Inside Heel Hook ABS 4F
2022 Subversiv 7 Brittany Elkin W Guillotine ABS SF
2022 Subversiv 7 Ffion Davies L Referee Decision ABS F
2022 ADCC E.Christodoulou W Pts:3x0 ABS 4F
2022 ADCC Kendall Reusing W Injury ABS SF
2022 ADCC Amy Campo L Pts:3x2 ABS F

7. Rafaela Guedes’ Top Fight Links

Rafaela Guedes VS Claire North / Pan Championship 2020

Rafaela Guedes v Margaret Grindatti / World NoGi 2021

Rafaela Guedes v Maria Malyjasiak / World NoGi 2021

Rafaela Guedes VS Tara White / Pan NoGi Championship 2020

Rafaela Guedes v Elisabeth Clay / World NoGi 2021

Photo credit: @rafaelaguedesjj

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