Rafael “Gordinho” Correa

Rafael Correa de Lima, known as Gordinho, won the medium-heavyweight world title in 1998, in his first year at black belt at the Worlds. For Gracie Barra he finished on top of the podium with teammate Antonio “Nino” Schembri in second. A year earlier, still a brown belt, he had been world runner-up at middleweight.

Born in Rio, the younger brother of fellow world champion Roberto “Gordo” Correa, he received his black belt from Carlos Gracie Jr. The nickname, meaning little Gordo, is a nod to his older brother.

After his competitive career he became a reference as a coach. He was a senior black belt and program director at Renzo Gracie Academy in New York, where he helped prepare fighters such as Georges St-Pierre and Matt Serra. He later led the team’s curriculum at Evolve MMA in Singapore.

A fourth-degree black belt, he now teaches at START BJJ in Pembroke Pines, Florida, alongside his brother.