Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Team History, Fighter Stats, Biographies and News

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Brian Mahecha

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Brian Mahecha is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt under Jonatas Gurgel who first gained notoriety while representing American Top Team (ATT) in the sport’s international circuit. Brian is also an inspirational figure for grappling fans across the globe; a cancer survivor who overcame the disease to became one of the leading athletes in jiu jitsu’s featherweight division, while also being an important “standard-bearer” for his generation’s grappling style, together with his twin brother Kevin Mahecha.

Brian Mahecha Jiu Jitsu

Full Name: Brian Mahecha

Nickname: n/a

Lineage: Carlos Gracie Carlson Gracie >André PederneirasJoão Roque > Jonatas Gurgel > Brian Mahecha

Main Achievements:

  • 1st Place AJP National Pro (2015**)
  • 1st Place IBJJF Atlanta Open (2016)
  • 2nd Place AJP Grand Slam, LA (2017)
  • 3rd Place IBJJF European Open (2016)
  • 3rd Place IBJJF American Nationals (2015)
  • 3rd Place IBJJF New York Spring Open (2015)
  • 3rd Place IBJJF Miami Open (2015)
  • 3rd Place IBJJF Dallas Open (2021)

Main Achievements (Colored Belts):

  • 1st Place IBJJF Miami Open (2013 brown)
  • 1st Place AJP Abu Dhabi Pro (2013 brown)
  • 3rd Place IBJJF Pan Championship (2012 purple)
  • 3rd Place IBJJF Pan Championship No-Gi (2011 purple)
  • 3rd Place IBJJF Pan Championship (2015 brown)
  • 3rd Place IBJJF New York Summer Open (2013 brown)
  • 3rd Place IBJJF Miami Open (2012 brown)

* Absolute
** Weight and absolute

Favorite Position/Technique: Spider Guard/Leg Drag

Weight Division: Peso Pena (70kg/154lbs)

Team/Association: N/A

Brian Mahecha Biography

Brian Mahecha and his twin brother Kevin were born on October 3rd, 1988 in Manhattan – New York, USA.

Throughout their formative years, both Brian and his brother always felt a strong bond with martial arts, a bond that ultimately drove them to a kung fu and kickboxing club at the age of 15.

Over the next couple of years, the Mahecha brothers emphasized on Kickboxing, beginning a successful career in the sport as junior competitors. One of their biggest achievement being a second placement at the IFK World Championship in 2008 (Brian under international rules – similar to K-1; Kevin under muay Thai rules).

In 2005, while competing in an important kickboxing event, Brian’s shoulder started bothering him by popping out and popping back in the socket. This problem aggravated when Brian tried to rehabilitate by himself, through basic rotational exercises, to a point where Brian began losing range of motion.

Brian visited many doctors and did a few MRI’s but no one could understand the issue. In the process of trying to find help, Brian met Dr. Thomas H. Temple who at the time was a professor and doctor at the University of Miami Hospital. Doctor Temple discovered Mahecha had a Soft Cell Tissue Sarcoma in his left shoulder on May 1st 2006 – Brian was 17 years old.

On May 10th, 2006 Brian had a successful surgery that removed the cancer, however, in order to do so the surgeons also removed his Infraspinatus Rotator Cuff, part of his Posterior Deltoid, and shaved off part his Scapula. The recovery process made through physical therapy and grueling radiation helped improve Brian’s condition, though Mahecha also attributed his improvement to watching his brother train:

“Watching my brother train was the most important part [of recovery process] to me because it reminded me to never forget my goals; to be the best at what I do and to constantly improve and excel. At the time it was Kickboxing and soon that goal would switch to Jiu-Jitsu. A little more than a year after my surgery I got back into competition and felt great. Especially when I started focusing 100% on Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu I realized that my shoulder never had a negative effect on my performance or anything. This realization made me further fall in love with the gentle art. – Brian Mahecha”

Grappling appeared gradually in the Mahecha’s lives. The brothers first started playing with ground work through coach Jarett. The 3 (Brian, Kevin and Jarett) would watch Bas Rutten DVD’s and try to apply the techniques on each other. That curiosity led the Mahecha’s to the American Top Team academy on November 2007, where they were taught by the illustrious Ricardo Libório.

The initial contact with Libório helped cement the brothers interest for jiu jitsu. Another source of inspiration for the Mahechas was coach Emyr “Shark” Bussade who also led many of Brian and Kevin’s early grappling classes.

On July of 2008, Kevin and Brian were awarded their blue belts by Master Ricardo Libório. This would be the moment in which both brothers chose to make the decisive switch and commit 100% to Brazilian jiu jitsu, leaving their kickboxing days behind.

Early in 2009 coach Bussade took over Mahecha’s tuition, after opening his own American Top Team affiliate in Wellington (awarding their purple belts on December that year). It was at ATT Wellington that the two brothers would start their coaching careers, developing a style of teaching heavily influenced by Emyr Bussade.

In 2012 Brian and Kevin tightened their bond with another prestigious ATT coach, Jonatas “Tagarela” Gurgel in Coconut Creek and Aventura. While training and teaching jiu jitsu relentlessly, Brian also kept a job as a middle school teacher, he would eventually drop the position as a public school teacher to become a full time coach at ATT Aventura.

On June 11th, 2014 the two brothers were promoted to black belts by Jonatas Gurgel.

Visit the Mahecha Brothers techniques website: mahechabjj.com

Brian Mahecha Grappling Record

43 WINS
  • BY POINTS
    22 (51%)
  • BY ADVANTAGES
    3 (7%)
  • BY SUBMISSION
    16 (37%)
  • BY DECISION
    1 (2%)
  • BY PENALTIES
    0 (0%)
  • BY DQ
    0 (0%)

16 SUBMISSIONS WINS

#214eb8
Armbar
81
13
#86e620
Choke from back
6
1
#5AD3D1
Submission
6
1
#d1212a
Clock choke
6
1
16
(100%) SUBMISSIONS
59 LOSSES
  • BY POINTS
    27 (46%)
  • BY ADVANTAGES
    3 (5%)
  • BY SUBMISSION
    26 (44%)
  • BY DECISION
    3 (5%)
  • BY PENALTIES
    0 (0%)
  • BY DQ
    0 (0%)

26 SUBMISSIONS LOSSES

#214eb8
Armbar
38
10
#86e620
Choke from back
35
9
#5AD3D1
Toe hold
12
3
#d1212a
Triangle
4
1
#fad11b
Bow and arrow
4
1
#f58822
Triangle armbar
4
1
#224aba
Omoplata
4
1
26
(100%) SUBMISSIONS

Brian Mahecha Fight History

ID Opponent W/L Method Competition Weight Stage Year
7011Gianni GrippoGianni GrippoLPointsNY Spring Open70KGSF2015
7092Isaque PaivaIsaque PaivaLPointsWorld Pro65KG4F2015
7613Samir ChantreSamir ChantreLPts: 4x2American Nat.70KGSF2015
8288Marcel GoncalvesMarcel GoncalvesLReferee DecisionMiami Open76KGSF2015
8527Paulo SilvaLPts: 2x2, AdvIBJJF NY Pro70KG4F2015
8922Paulo MiyaoPaulo MiyaoLChoke from backEuropean Open70KGSF2016
9250Jon Van BurenLPts: 4x2Pan American70KG8F2016
9574Paulo MiyaoPaulo MiyaoLPointsWorld Pro69KG4F2016
9948Jonathan ThomasJonathan ThomasLArmbarWorld Champ.70KGR12016
10439Isaac DoederleinIsaac DoederleinLPts: 6x4Grand Slam LA69KGSF2016
11550Isaque PaivaIsaque PaivaLPts: 4x2European Open70KG8F2017
12140Rubens CharlesRubens CharlesLChoke from backPan American70KG4F2017
12873Jonathan BurenLPointsAtlanta Spring O.70KGF2017
13798Thiago MacedoThiago MacedoLPts: 2x0Grand Slam LA69KGF2017
14192Brandon WalenskyBrandon WalenskyLArmbarMiami FO70KG4F2017
14401Silvio DuranSilvio DuranLPts: 2x0BJJ NY Pro70KG4F2017
14529Thiago MacedoThiago MacedoLArmbarSan Antonio Open70KGSF2017
14904Gianni GrippoGianni GrippoLChoke from backEuropean Open70KG4F2018
15382Hiroaki OtsukaLPts: 6x6, AdvPan American70KG8F2018
15886Gilson NunesGilson NunesLTriangleAtlanta Sp. Open76KGSF2018
15894Matheus GonzagaMatheus GonzagaLChoke from backBoston Sp. Open70KGSF2018
16397Gilson NunesGilson NunesLN/AMiami SPO76KGF2018
16697Richar NogueiraRichar NogueiraLArmbarAmerican Nat.70KG4F2018
16874Deandre CorbeDeandre CorbeLPts: 0x0, AdvNashville Open70KGSF2018
17270Johnny TamaJohnny TamaLReferee DecisionLas Vegas Open76KG4F2018
17858Gianni GrippoGianni GrippoLToe holdMiami FO76KGF2018
20486Kalil SilvaLPointsMiami SPOABSSF2019
20589Luciano QueirozLPts: 5x0World Champ.70KGR12019
22207Lucas ValenteLucas ValenteLArmbarMiami FO76KGF2019
23075Ariel TabakAriel TabakLChoke from backEuropean Open70KGR12020
24145Matheus GabrielMatheus GabrielLChoke from backPan American70KG8F2020
25191Gianni GrippoGianni GrippoLPts: 8x6Dallas Open70KGSF2021
25403Danilo MoreiraDanilo MoreiraLPts: 3x0Orlando Open70KG4F2021
26255Danilo MoreiraDanilo MoreiraLPts: 6x2Miami Open70KG4F2021
26536Felipe LinharesFelipe LinharesLChoke from backAtlanta Open70KGSF2021
26858Marcus BeddorMarcus BeddorLChoke from backChicago Open70KGSF2021
27232Fabricio AndreyFabricio AndreyLBow and arrowGrand Slam MIA69KGSF2021
27238Israel SousaIsrael SousaLArmbarGrand Slam MIA69KG3RD2021
27541Emilio HernandezEmilio HernandezLToe HoldPan American70KGR12021
29015Samuel NagaiSamuel NagaiLArmbarJJ CON70KG4F2021
29476Isaac DoederleinIsaac DoederleinLChoke from backWorld Champ.70KG8F2021
30850Christopher KriebelLN/AIndianapolis Open70KG4F2022
31235Yuta ShimadaYuta ShimadaLArmbarCharleston Open70KGSF2022
31626Joao MendesJoao MendesLPts: 8x4Pan American70KGR12022
31985Bebeto OliveiraLPointsNashville Open70KGSF2022
32753Ariel TabakAriel TabakLReferee DecisionHouston Open70KGF2022
33686Samuel NagaiSamuel NagaiLArmbarAustin SMO70KGF2022
33759Ismael SantosIsmael SantosLPointsOrlando SMO70KG4F2022
35219Ismael SantosIsmael SantosLPts: 10x4Atlanta FO70KGSF2022
37853Joao PedroLPts: 6x4Tampa Open70KGF2023
38438Diego SodreDiego SodreLPts: 4x2Pan American70KG8F2023
39301Joao OliveiraLTriangle armbarMiami Open70KGSF2023
39838Emilio HernandezEmilio HernandezLToe holdAtanta SPO70KGSF2023
40318Osvaldo MoizinhoOsvaldo MoizinhoLArmbarWorld Champ.70KGR12023
41465Isaac RossiLN/ANOrleans Open70KGRR2023
41466Emilio HernandezEmilio HernandezLN/ANOrleans Open70KGRR2023
46651Eric PhanEric PhanLOmoplataMiami Open70KG4F2024
47728Gabriel CardosoLN/ADallas Open70KGSF2024
47883Marco MendesMarco MendesLPts: 10x8Pan American70KGR12024
7010Jean CartagenaWArmbarNY Spring Open70KG4F2015
7087Danilo BarbosaWN/AWorld Pro65KGR12015
7612Vitor RiciottiWChoke from backAmerican Nat.70KG4F2015
8287Paulo SilvaWPointsMiami Open76KG4F2015
8596Spencer GuilliamWPointsHouston Nat. Pro77KGSF2015
8598Kevin MahechaKevin MahechaWPointsHouston Nat. Pro77KGF2015
8599Jose PortilloWReferee DecisionHouston Nat. ProO77KGSF2015
8601Kevin MahechaKevin MahechaWPointsHouston Nat. ProO77KGF2015
8918T. TammilehtoWArmbarEuropean Open70KG4F2016
9047Christopher KriebelWArmbarAtlanta W. Open70KGSF2016
9048Andre MonteiroAndre MonteiroWPts: 4x2Atlanta W. Open70KGF2016
9567Vinicius de LimaWArmbarWorld Pro69KGR12016
9571Murat BesnekWPts: 2x0World Pro69KG8F2016
10437Mario SilvaWArmbarGrand Slam LA69KG4F2016
11547Jakub WitkowskiWPts: 4x4, AdvEuropean Open70KGR12017
13792Thiago LemosWPts: 2x0Grand Slam LA69KGR12017
13794Bruno CarvalhoWSubmissionGrand Slam LA69KG4F2017
13796Brandon WalenskyBrandon WalenskyWPts: 2x0Grand Slam LA69KGSF2017
14900Tomoshige SeraWPts: 4x4, AdvEuropean Open70KGR12018
16396Francisco JacksonWN/AMiami SPO76KGSF2018
17035Deandre CorbeDeandre CorbeWPointsOrlando Open70KGSF2018
17854Eduardo MulkiWArmbarMiami FO76KG4F2018
17857Rodrigo FrancioniRodrigo FrancioniWArmbarMiami FO76KGSF2018
20477Esdras FelixWPointsMiami SPO76KG4F2019
20479Edward HohlWPointsMiami SPO76KGSF2019
22205Michael PepioWN/AMiami FO76KGSF2019
24129Tyson AntillonWN/APan American70KGR12020
25187Edward AllenWArmbarDallas Open70KG4F2021
27229Israel SousaIsrael SousaWPts: 5x4Grand Slam MIA69KG4F2021
27236Felipe SimplicioWPts: 3x2Grand Slam MIA69KGRPC2021
29013Felipe SimplicioWN/AJJ CON70KGR12021
31232Giovanni MarceloWPts: 2x2, AdvCharleston Open70KG4F2022
31982Max DeBeenWPts: 14x4Nashville Open70KG4F2022
32750Pedro SousaWArmbarHouston Open70KG4F2022
32752Ygor MauricioWPointsHouston Open70KGSF2022
33684Pedro SousaWArmbarAustin SMO70KGSF2022
35218Suraj BudhramWArmbarAtlanta FO70KG4F2022
35807Alan JuradoWClock chokeMiami FO70KGSF2022
37851Marcos ViniciusWArmbarTampa Open70KGSF2023
38431Jean PierreWArmbarPan American70KGR12023
46783Eric PhanEric PhanWInjuryAtlanta WO70KG4F2024
46786Thomas KennedyWPts: 4x2Atlanta WO70KGSF2024
47727Felipe BritoWN/ADallas Open70KG4F2024

Brian Mahecha vs André Monteiro

Brian Mahecha vs Jacob Sandoval

Craig Jones Brand New Instructional

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