Rafael Lovato Jr.
3x IBJJF World Champion · 2003–2019
Lineage
Jr.'s elite Guard Passing (92) and elite Top Control (92) define this era.
Competition Record
Career grappling record
Gi
No-Gi
3x IBJJF World Champion, Bellator MMA Champion
Mat Resume
Time on the mats in professional competition
55
Pro Matches
26
Mat Hours
20
Events
6.8 min
Avg Duration
1:00
Fastest Sub
8
Sub-Only Matches
Style Analysis
Three-time IBJJF World Champion who became a Bellator MMA champion. First American to win the IBJJF Mundials at black belt.
Signature Submissions
Notable Matches
Key competition results
Did You Know?
First American to win IBJJF Mundials at black belt
Won Bellator middleweight title
3x IBJJF World Champion
Trophy Case
First American to win Mundials at black belt
Middleweight title
Signature Moments
3 World Titles + Bellator Champion
Rafael Lovato Jr. won three IBJJF World Championships and then won the Bellator MMA Middleweight Championship — the only person to hold both a BJJ world title and a major MMA belt. He retired undefeated in MMA with a 10-0 record.
World champion in BJJ. World champion in MMA. Undefeated. Lovato is the ultimate proof that BJJ translates to fighting.
Career Numbers
Mundials Golds
IBJJF World Championship golds
3
Pan Am Golds
Pan American Championship golds
1
10-0
Deep Undefeated Mma
10-0 undefeated MMA record including the Bellator Middleweight Championship — retired undefeated
Season Stats · 3x IBJJF World Champion
Engine Attributes
Data Coverage
FloGrappling / BJJ Heroes / IBJJF
8 of 8 profile sections complete
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