Rafael Mendes
The featherweight who made the berimbolo mainstream
- Born
- June 20, 1989, Rio Claro, São Paulo, Brazil
- Nationality
Brazil- Style
- Modern guard innovator
- Weight
- Featherweight, ADCC -66 kg
- Active
- 2006–2016
- Status
- Retired · age 37
The record
BJJ Heroes record in major events, 2008-2016: wins by 59 submissions, 26 on points, 5 on advantages, 2 by referee decision; 0 of 7 losses by submission. Never submitted at black belt.
6× IBJJF World Champion, 2× ADCC
The story
afael Mendes and his brother Guilherme began jiu-jitsu through a cousin in Rio Claro and were soon training under Ramon Lemos and Leonardo Santos, the coaches behind the Atos team. Rafael won world titles at blue, purple and brown belt, took bronze at his first black-belt Worlds in 2009 and won featherweight gold in 2010. He added titles in 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2016, the fifth breaking Royler Gracie's featherweight record. His rivalry with Rubens 'Cobrinha' Charles defined the division, and he beat him for ADCC gold in 2009 and 2011. Mendes helped bring the berimbolo and the 50-50 guard into the mainstream and, according to BJJ Heroes, was never submitted as a black belt. He retired in his twenties to coach at the Art of Jiu-Jitsu academy he founded with Guilherme in California.
Tap a technique with an arrow to learn how it works.
- IBJJF World champion (2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016; featherweight)
- ADCC champion (2009, 2011; -66 kg)
- Pan American champion (2012, 2013)
Defining matches
- 2009WINvs Rubens Charles (points in overtime, ADCC -66 kg final)
- 2010WINvs Rubens Charles (advantage, first IBJJF World title)
- 2013LOSSvs Rubens Charles (referee decision, ADCC -66 kg final)
- 2015WINvs Rubens Charles (6-0 on points, record fifth featherweight world title)
- 2016WINvs Marcio André (advantage, sixth IBJJF World title)
Learn the Mendes berimbolo: from De La Riva guard, off-balance the opponent onto their hip, invert underneath while keeping your hook, and come up behind them to take the back.
