Rafael Mendes
6x IBJJF World Champion · 2007–2016
Lineage
Mendes's elite Competition IQ (95) and elite Guard Game (95) define this era.
Competition Record
Career grappling record
Gi
No-Gi
6x IBJJF World Champion
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
Notable Matches
Key competition results
Did You Know?
Retired undefeated at IBJJF black belt level
Co-founded AOJ with brother Gui Mendes
Avenged every career loss after reaching black belt
Trophy Case
Retired undefeated at black belt — featherweight GOAT
Gold at 66kg
Signature Moments
6 World Titles and Retirement at 30
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
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
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
Engine Attributes
Data Coverage
FloGrappling / BJJ Heroes / IBJJF
8 of 8 profile sections complete
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