Rafael Mendes
Rafael Mendes Godoy · Rio Claro, Brazil
Six-time featherweight world champion, a record for the division. In the IBJJF Hall of Fame since 2022.
- world titles at black belt
- 6
- wins
- 93
- by submission, 63% of wins
- 59
- losses
- 7
Record in black belt competition.
World titles at black belt
IBJJF World Championship, 2010 to 2016. Weight class: featherweight.
- 2010 WeightGold
- 2011 WeightGold
- 2012 WeightGold
- 2014 WeightGold
- 2015 WeightGold
- 2016 WeightGold
Who is Rafael Mendes
Rafael Mendes was born in Rio Claro, in the interior of São Paulo state, on June 20, 1989, and started training at 13 with his brother Guilherme, after a cousin took them to class. Their coach, Ramon Lemos, became the main mentor for both.
He got his black belt in October 2008 and, from 2010 on, ruled the featherweight division at the IBJJF World Championship. In 2015 he won his fifth title and passed Royler Gracie’s mark in the division; in 2016 he won his sixth.
His name became tied to the 50/50 guard and the berimbolo. He and Guilherme founded Art of Jiu-Jitsu in California, and the two entered the IBJJF Hall of Fame together in 2022.
Wins in finals and superfights
- 2016Márcio AndréWorlds, featherweight, final · 10-10, on advantages
- 2015CobrinhaWorlds, featherweight, final · 6-0
- 2014CobrinhaWorlds, featherweight, final · 10-8
- 2014Paulo MiyaoEuropeans, featherweight, final · 3-0
- 2013CobrinhaPans, featherweight, final · referee decision
- 2012CobrinhaWorlds, featherweight, final · referee decision
- 2012CobrinhaPans, featherweight, final · armbar
- 2011CobrinhaADCC, under 66 kg (146 lb), final · penalties
Losses
- 2013CobrinhaADCC, under 66 kg (146 lb), final · referee decision
- 2013Augusto MendesWorlds, featherweight, final · 2-2, on advantages
- 2011Rodolfo VieiraWorld Pro No-Gi, open class, final · referee decision
- 2011Augusto MendesWorld Pro, under 65 kg (143 lb), final · referee decision
- 2009CobrinhaWorlds, featherweight, semifinal · referee decision
- 2009CobrinhaPans, featherweight, semifinal · disqualification
- 2008CobrinhaCapital Challenge, under 70 kg (154 lb), final · points
Other titles
2014
- IBJJF Europeans Gold
2013
- IBJJF Worlds Featherweight Silver
- ADCC Under 66 kg (146 lb) Silver
2012
- IBJJF Pans Gold
2011
- ADCC Under 66 kg (146 lb) Gold
- IBJJF Pans Gold
- Abu Dhabi World Pro Silver
2010
- IBJJF Europeans Gold
- Abu Dhabi World Pro Gold
- Brazilian Nationals (CBJJ) Gold
2009
- ADCC Under 66 kg (146 lb) Gold
- IBJJF Europeans Gold
- Abu Dhabi World Pro Gold
Before black belt
- IBJJF Worlds 2006, blue belt; 2007, purple belt; 2008, brown belt Gold