Rafael Mendes was born in Rio Claro, Brazil and began training at the age of 11 years old. Rafa won the World championship as a blue, purple and brown belt before receiving his black belt from Ramon Lemos in 2009. As a black belt, Rafa was often considered one of the best pound for pound athletes for many years and developed a dynamic and creative fighting style that impacted the future generations.

He holds the record of World titles in the featherweight division with 6 titles and was inducted into the IBJJF Hall of Fame in 2022. Rafael also won the ADCC trials in Brazil at the age of 19 and in the same year, won his first of two ADCC titles, becoming the youngest ADCC champion at the time. In 2022 he was inducted to the ADCC Hall of Fame because of his achievements in the competition.

WORLD CHAMPION
2010 • 2011 • 2012 • 2014 • 2015 • 2016

ADCC CHAMPION
2009 • 2011

PAN CHAMPION
2011 • 2012

EUROPEAN CHAMPION
2009 • 2010 • 2014

BRAZILIAN CHAMPION
2010