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Rafael dos Anjos Torres

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Rafael dos Anjos Torres, commonly known as Rafael dos Anjos (not to be confused with same name Rafael dos Anjos, former UFC lightweight champion – for that bio, click here), is a jiu-jitsu black belt under Rubens Charles (Cobrinha) who worked extensively with Alexandre Paiva (Gigi), Elan Santiago, and Rodrigo Conceição (Akilis). Originally a product of Rio de Janeiro’s social project Projeto Sonhos, Rafael gained notoriety in the sport during his colored belt career after his performances in big events of the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) such as the World and Pan Championships.

Rafael dos Anjos Jiu-Jitsu

Full Name: Rafael dos Anjos Torres

Nickname: N/A

Lineage: Carlos Gracie > Helio Gracie > Rolls Gracie > Romero Cavalcanti > Alexandre Paiva > Fernando Terere > Rubens Charles > Rafael dos Anjos

Main Achievements:

  • 1st Place IBJJF European Open (2018 purple)
  • 1st Place IBJJF American Nationals (2020 brown)
  • 1st Place IBJJF American Nationals NOGI (2020 brown)
  • 1st Place IBJJF South American Championship (2015 blue)
  • 1st Place CBJJ Brazilian Nationals NOGI (2017 purple)
  • 2nd Place IBJJF World Championship (2018 purple)
  • 2nd Place IBJJF Pans Championship (2020 brown)
  • 2nd Place IBJJF Pans Championship NOGI (2020 brown)
  • 2nd Place CBJJ Brazilian Nationals (2015/2016 blue, 2018 purple)
  • 2nd Place CBJJ Brazilian Nationals NOGI (2015 blue, 2016 purple)
  • 3rd Place CBJJ Brazilian Nationals (2016* blue, 2017 purple)
  • 3rd Place CBJJ Brazilian Nationals NOGI (2018 brown)
  • 3rd Place IBJJF European Open (2019 brown)
  • 3rd Place IBJJF South American Championship (2019 brown)

* Absolute
** Weight and Absolute

Favorite Position/Technique: Open Guard

Weight Division: Peso Médio (82,30 kg / 181.5 lbs)

Team/Association: Alliance

Rafael dos Anjos Biography

Rafael dos Anjos Torres was born on June 21, 1996, in São João de Meriti growing up in Rio de Janeiro’s Baixada Fluminense area, more precisely in Nilópolis – Brazil.

During his infancy, Rafael was an avid capoeira practitioner, a martial art/dance/sport he played for 3 years. As dos Anjos entered his tweens he started gaining undesired weight, this sudden gain in diameter caused his family doctor to advise the Torres family to include young Rafael in a high-intensity sport. At the time, Rafael had a few friends who practiced jiu-jitsu at a local community project and it was this close relationship that led Rafael dos Anjos to Projeto Sonhos. This social project was led by jiu-jitsu black belt Elan Santiago at the Beija Flor Samba School (GRES Beija Flor [Grêmio Recreativo Escola de Samba Beija-Flor]), and was well known for its success among the local community.

Climbing through the junior and juvenile ranks under the guidance of Elan Santiago and Rodrigo Akillis, Rafael dos Anjos quickly made his mark in the juvenile competition scene. His progress also benefited from his access to another legendary Rio de Janeiro instructor – Alexandre Genovesi Paiva (Gigi) – of the Alliance – Leblon Academy. This relationship derived from the close connection between the Beija Flor and Alliance workgroups and the friendship shared between the coaches of both camps who organized inter-team meet-ups once or twice per week.

Once Rafael dos Anjos reached adulthood (18) he was forced to quit jiu-jitsu to accommodate the student-worker lifestyle. With full-time employment at a shoe store, while also finishing his high-school degree, Rafael did not have the availability to train in a standard academy schedule. Instead, he would train with a close friend at an academy in Nova Iguaçú from 11:30 pm to 12:30 am, during the week – the only time slot available for him.

Failing to see Rafael at the aforementioned, regular Alliance-Beija Flor joined training sessions, coach Gigi Paiva asked about Rafael to his instructors, then hearing about the young talent’s circumstances. A believer in dos Anjos’ talent, Paiva reached out to the Nipólis resident and offered him a full scholarship with boarding. Although Rafael’s parents disapproved of the idea – preferring their son to follow a more traditional path in life, the young athlete opted to pursue his dream, then full-heartedly joining the team as a blue belt.

Under the guidance of Alexandre Paiva, Rafael had the chance to represent team Alliance and medal in a few of the sport’s main international tournaments, such as the World, Pan, and European Championships.

In 2019, brown belt, Rafael dos Anjos traveled to the United States to compete at the World No-Gi Championships. His time in the US ended up being extended as he joined another Academy associated with the Alliance franchise (Cobrinha BJJ) in Los Angeles. Guided by coach Rubens Charles at Alliance – Los Angeles, Rafael dos Anjos received his black belt on January 25, 2021, with his former instructors Elan, Rodrigo, and Paiva present through Zoom call due to the COVID19 pandemic, which prevented them from traveling for the event.

Rafael Anjos Grappling Record

31 WINS
  • BY POINTS
    11 (35%)
  • BY ADVANTAGES
    0 (0%)
  • BY SUBMISSION
    15 (48%)
  • BY DECISION
    5 (16%)
  • BY PENALTIES
    0 (0%)
  • BY DQ
    0 (0%)

15 SUBMISSIONS WINS

#214eb8
Armbar
20
3
#86e620
Choke from back
20
3
#5AD3D1
RNC
13
2
#d1212a
Katagatame
13
2
#fad11b
Paper Cutter choke
13
2
#f58822
Guillotine
7
1
#224aba
Triangle
7
1
#ff9124
Kimura
7
1
15
(100%) SUBMISSIONS
20 LOSSES
  • BY POINTS
    6 (30%)
  • BY ADVANTAGES
    2 (10%)
  • BY SUBMISSION
    9 (45%)
  • BY DECISION
    3 (15%)
  • BY PENALTIES
    0 (0%)
  • BY DQ
    0 (0%)

9 SUBMISSIONS LOSSES

#214eb8
Choke from back
33
3
#86e620
Heel hook
11
1
#5AD3D1
Brabo choke
11
1
#d1212a
Straight ankle lock
11
1
#fad11b
RNC
11
1
#f58822
Darce choke
11
1
#224aba
Smother tap
11
1
9
(100%) SUBMISSIONS

Rafael Anjos Fight History

ID Opponent W/L Method Competition Weight Stage Year
27845Andy MurasakiAndy MurasakiLPts: 0x0, AdvAtlanta SMOP82KGSF2021
28424Matheus LunaMatheus LunaLReferee DecisionSUBVERSIV 684KGSPF2021
28678Matheus LunaMatheus LunaLReferee DecisionNashville Open94KGSF2021
29516Mathias LunaMathias LunaLPts: 4x2World Champ.82KGR12021
30955Mateus RodriguesMateus RodriguesLChoke from backLA Open88KG4F2022
32451Joao CizeskiJoao CizeskiLReferee DecisionSD Open88KGSF2022
32465Adam WardzinskiAdam WardzinskiLChoke from backSD OpenABSSF2022
32486Vagner RochaVagner RochaLHeel hookSD NGOABS4F2022
32655Jonata GomesJonata GomesLPts: 4x2Denver OpenABS4F2022
32970Leandro LoLeandro LoLBrabo chokeWorld Champ.88KG8F2022
33419Ronaldo JuniorRonaldo JuniorLStraight ankle lockAmerican Nat.88KGSF2022
36239Roosevelt SousaRoosevelt SousaLRNCNashville NGOABSSF2022
36883Bruno MatiasBruno MatiasLPts: 4x0NoGi Worlds85KG8F2022
40370Tye RuotoloTye RuotoloLDarce chokeWorld Champ.82KG8F2023
42425Nolan StuartNolan StuartLPointsJJ Con88KGF2023
43265Horlando MonteiroHorlando MonteiroLSmother tapKansas OpenABSSF2023
44025Martin GonzalezLPts: 5x2OC Open88KGSF2023
44036Adam WardzinskiAdam WardzinskiLChoke from backOC OpenABS4F2023
45003Wallison OliveiraLPts: 2x2, AdvSacramento OpenABS4F2023
47955Uanderson FerreiraUanderson FerreiraLPts: 2x0Pan American88KG8F2024
27196Mathias LunaMathias LunaWReferee DecisionF2W 18083KGSPF2021
28685Marlon TanakaWArmbarNashville OpenABS4F2021
31276Thiago AndradeWPts: 2x0Boise Open88KGF2022
31283Scott ThometzWChoke from backBoise OpenABS4F2022
31286Tyrone GoncalvesWPts: 4x2Boise OpenABSSF2022
31288Scott ThometzWRNCBoise NGO85KGF2022
31289Scott ThometzWKatagatameBoise NGOABSSF2022
31290Cameron ChaffeeWGuillotineBoise NGOABSF2022
32450Brandyn ChapellWTriangleSD Open88KG4F2022
32463Antonio ZuazoWArmbarSD OpenABS4F2022
32481Miha PerhavecWPointsSD NGO85KGSF2022
32637Yan LucasYan LucasWPts: 2x0Denver Open88KGF2022
32651Thiago AndradeWReferee DecisionDenver OpenABSR12022
32961Nathan SantosWPts: 4x0World Champ.88KGR12022
33418Aaron TiegsWPointsAmerican Nat.88KG4F2022
36212Joseph WatsonWPointsNashville Open94KGSF2022
36213Mateus RodriguesMateus RodriguesWReferee DecisionNashville Open94KGF2022
36227Joshua McKinneyWRNCNashville NGO85KG4F2022
36229Clay MayfieldWKimuraNashville NGO85KGSF2022
36230Jeovany OrtizWKatagatameNashville NGO85KGF2022
36232Jeovany OrtizWPointsNashville NGOABSR12022
36235Emilio HernandezEmilio HernandezWPointsNashville NGOABS4F2022
40170Carlos FeitosaWArmbarB Raton Open88KGF2023
40369Felipe CesarFelipe CesarWReferee DecisionWorld Champ.82KGR12023
42421Dilano TaylorWPaper Cutter chokeJJ Con88KG4F2023
42424Jose JuremaWPointsJJ Con88KGSF2023
43258Carlos RafaelWChoke from backKansas Open88KGF2023
43264Rafael SilvaWChoke from backKansas OpenABS4F2023
44035Raul BasilioRaul BasilioWPts: 2x0OC OpenABSR12023
44993Nikolas WilliamsWPaper cutter chokeSacramento Open88KGRR2023
44994Wallison OliveiraWReferee DecisionSacramento Open88KGRR2023
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