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Rafael Mendes

6x IBJJF World Champion · 2007–2016

150 lbs·Black Belt·Art of Jiu-Jitsu (AOJ)·Gi

Lineage

Skill ScoreHow you win — in-game attributes
89/99
Generational

Mendes's elite Competition IQ (95) and elite Guard Game (95) define this era.

Legacy ScoreCareer dominance — record, titles, defenses
93/99
All-Time Great
Win Rate +15Win Volume +9Sub Rate +3Worlds (1) +6ADCC (1) +7

Competition Record

Career grappling record

Gi

Wins75
Losses3
Subs30

No-Gi

Wins10
Losses0
Subs5
Submission Rate41%

6x IBJJF World Champion

Records via BJJ Heroes & IBJJF

Mat Resume

Time on the mats in professional competition

145

Pro Matches

72

Mat Hours

55

Events

7.2 min

Avg Duration

55 sec

Fastest Sub

10

Sub-Only Matches

8

OT Wins

Style Analysis

The most technically refined featherweight ever. Retired undefeated at black belt with 6 world titles and founded Art of Jiu-Jitsu academy.

Signature Submissions

Loop ChokeArmbarTriangleBerimbolo to Back Take

Notable Matches

Key competition results

W
vs Cobrinha
Mundials 2014·2014
Points
W
vs Paulo Miyao
Mundials 2015·2015
Advantage
W
vs Joao Miyao
Mundials 2013·2013
Points
W
vs Justin Rader
Pan Ams 2015·2015
Loop Choke
W
vs Gianni Grippo
Mundials 2016·2016
Points
L
vs Cobrinha
IBJJF Worlds 2008 Featherweight Final·2008
Points
L
vs Cobrinha
IBJJF Pan 2009 Featherweight·2009
Points

Did You Know?

1

Retired undefeated at IBJJF black belt level

2

Co-founded AOJ with brother Gui Mendes

3

Avenged every career loss after reaching black belt

Trophy Case

6×IBJJF World Champion

Retired undefeated at black belt — featherweight GOAT

2×ADCC Champion

Gold at 66kg

Signature Moments

6 World Titles and Retirement at 30

2010-2016·vs vs Multiple

Rafael Mendes won six IBJJF World Championships at featherweight and retired undefeated at 30 years old. He chose to stop competing at his absolute peak to focus on coaching and building Art of Jiu-Jitsu with his brother Gui. Nobody beat him. He just stopped.

Retired undefeated as a six-time world champion. He didn't decline — he just decided he was done.

The Berimbolo King

2010-2016·vs vs Everyone

Rafa Mendes perfected the berimbolo and modern back-take system at the highest level of competition. His speed, timing, and scramble ability made him virtually impossible to score on. His guard retention was so good that elite black belts could not pass for entire matches.

He made the berimbolo a championship weapon. Before Rafa, it was a novelty. After Rafa, it was mandatory curriculum.

Career Numbers

ADCC Golds

ADCC gold medals

2

Mundials Golds

IBJJF World Championship golds

6

Pan Am Golds

Pan American Championship golds

3

Verified Feb 2026 · bjjheroes.com

34

Deep Berimbolo Sweeps

Estimated 34 berimbolo sweeps scored at black belt Mundials — turned a novelty into the most copied technique in BJJ

2

Deep Guard Passes Allowed

Only 2 complete guard passes scored against him in his final 3 years of competition — the best guard retention in history

Season Stats · 6x IBJJF World Champion

ADCC GoldsADCC World Championship golds
2 ADCC gold medals
Mundials GoldsIBJJF World Championship golds
6 IBJJF World Championship golds
RecordCareer competition record
85-3
Submission RateCareer submission rate
41%
Submission WinsCareer submission victories
35

Engine Attributes

Athleticism90
Competition IQ95
Escapes92
Guard Game95
Guard Passing88
Submissions88
Takedowns78
Top Control85
Skill Score
89/99
Generational
Legacy
93/99
All-Time Great

Data Coverage

100%
Bio & Identity
Competition Record
Major Titles
Notable Opponents
Style & Attributes
Signature Submissions
Career Timeline
Gi/No-Gi Breakdown

FloGrappling / BJJ Heroes / IBJJF

8 of 8 profile sections complete

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