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

48 WINS
  • BY POINTS
    23 (48%)
  • BY ADVANTAGES
    5 (10%)
  • BY SUBMISSION
    18 (38%)
  • BY DECISION
    1 (2%)
  • BY PENALTIES
    0 (0%)
  • BY DQ
    0 (0%)

18 SUBMISSIONS WINS

#214eb8
Armbar
72
13
#86e620
Straight ankle lock
11
2
#5AD3D1
Clock choke
6
1
#d1212a
Choke from back
6
1
#fad11b
Submission
6
1
18
(100%) SUBMISSIONS
67 LOSSES
  • BY POINTS
    30 (45%)
  • BY ADVANTAGES
    4 (6%)
  • BY SUBMISSION
    30 (45%)
  • BY DECISION
    3 (4%)
  • BY PENALTIES
    0 (0%)
  • BY DQ
    0 (0%)

30 SUBMISSIONS LOSSES

#214eb8
Armbar
37
11
#86e620
Choke from back
30
9
#5AD3D1
Toe hold
13
4
#d1212a
Bow and arrow
3
1
#fad11b
Triangle armbar
3
1
#f58822
Omoplata
3
1
#224aba
Straight ankle lock
3
1
#ff9124
Outside heel hook
3
1
#bf1f6c
Triangle
3
1
30
(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
14905Gianni GrippoGianni GrippoLChoke from backEuropean Open70KG4F2018
15383Hiroaki OtsukaLPts: 6x6, AdvPan American70KG8F2018
15887Gilson NunesGilson NunesLTriangleAtlanta Sp. Open76KGSF2018
15895Matheus GonzagaMatheus GonzagaLChoke from backBoston Sp. Open70KGSF2018
16398Gilson NunesGilson NunesLN/AMiami SPO76KGF2018
16698Richar NogueiraRichar NogueiraLArmbarAmerican Nat.70KG4F2018
16875Deandre CorbeDeandre CorbeLPts: 0x0, AdvNashville Open70KGSF2018
17271Johnny TamaJohnny TamaLReferee DecisionLas Vegas Open76KG4F2018
17866Gianni GrippoGianni GrippoLToe holdMiami FO76KGF2018
20495Kalil SilvaLPointsMiami SPOABSSF2019
20600Luciano QueirozLPts: 5x0World Champ.70KGR12019
22226Lucas ValenteLucas ValenteLArmbarMiami FO76KGF2019
23101Ariel TabakAriel TabakLChoke from backEuropean Open70KGR12020
24176Matheus GabrielMatheus GabrielLChoke from backPan American70KG8F2020
25223Gianni GrippoGianni GrippoLPts: 8x6Dallas Open70KGSF2021
25436Danilo MoreiraDanilo MoreiraLPts: 3x0Orlando Open70KG4F2021
26289Danilo MoreiraDanilo MoreiraLPts: 6x2Miami Open70KG4F2021
26570Felipe LinharesFelipe LinharesLChoke from backAtlanta Open70KGSF2021
26892Marcus BeddorMarcus BeddorLChoke from backChicago Open70KGSF2021
27266Fabricio AndreyFabricio AndreyLBow and arrowGrand Slam MIA69KGSF2021
27272Israel SousaIsrael SousaLArmbarGrand Slam MIA69KG3RD2021
27575Emilio HernandezEmilio HernandezLToe HoldPan American70KGR12021
29050Samuel NagaiSamuel NagaiLArmbarJJ CON70KG4F2021
29511Isaac DoederleinIsaac DoederleinLChoke from backWorld Champ.70KG8F2021
30887Christopher KriebelLN/AIndianapolis Open70KG4F2022
31273Yuta ShimadaYuta ShimadaLArmbarCharleston Open70KGSF2022
31668Joao MendesJoao MendesLPts: 8x4Pan American70KGR12022
32027Bebeto OliveiraLPointsNashville Open70KGSF2022
32798Ariel TabakAriel TabakLReferee DecisionHouston Open70KGF2022
33732Samuel NagaiSamuel NagaiLArmbarAustin SMO70KGF2022
33807Ismael SantosIsmael SantosLPointsOrlando SMO70KG4F2022
35267Ismael SantosIsmael SantosLPts: 10x4Atlanta FO70KGSF2022
37924Joao PedroLPts: 6x4Tampa Open70KGF2023
38514Diego SodreDiego SodreLPts: 4x2Pan American70KG8F2023
39384Joao OliveiraLTriangle armbarMiami Open70KGSF2023
39932Emilio HernandezEmilio HernandezLToe holdAtanta SPO70KGSF2023
40412Osvaldo MoizinhoOsvaldo MoizinhoLArmbarWorld Champ.70KGR12023
41561Isaac RossiLN/ANOrleans Open70KGRR2023
41562Emilio HernandezEmilio HernandezLN/ANOrleans Open70KGRR2023
46754Eric PhanEric PhanLOmoplataMiami Open70KG4F2024
47842Gabriel CardosoLPointsDallas Open70KGSF2024
47997Marco MendesMarco MendesLPts: 10x8Pan American70KGR12024
50332Diego SodreDiego SodreLPts: 10x6World Champ.70KGR22024
52591Huthayfah PenneyLStraight ankle lockJJ CON70KG4F2024
52701Lukete SilvaLukete SilvaLOutside heel hookJJ CON NG73KG4F2024
53023Cleison SantosLArmbarAtlanta FO70KGSF2024
53150Cole AbateCole AbateLToe holdAtlanta FNGO73KG4F2024
54504Ismael SantosIsmael SantosLPts: 0x0, AdvNoGi Pan73KG4F2024
55508Marcos OliveiraMarcos OliveiraLPts: 12x10Tampa Open70KGF2024
55521An VuLPts: 6x4Tampa NGO67KGSF2024
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
14901Tomoshige SeraWPts: 4x4, AdvEuropean Open70KGR12018
16397Francisco JacksonWN/AMiami SPO76KGSF2018
17036Deandre CorbeDeandre CorbeWPointsOrlando Open70KGSF2018
17862Eduardo MulkiWArmbarMiami FO76KG4F2018
17865Rodrigo FrancioniRodrigo FrancioniWArmbarMiami FO76KGSF2018
20486Esdras FelixWPointsMiami SPO76KG4F2019
20488Edward HohlWPointsMiami SPO76KGSF2019
22224Michael PepioWN/AMiami FO76KGSF2019
24160Tyson AntillonWN/APan American70KGR12020
25219Edward AllenWArmbarDallas Open70KG4F2021
27263Israel SousaIsrael SousaWPts: 5x4Grand Slam MIA69KG4F2021
27270Felipe SimplicioWPts: 3x2Grand Slam MIA69KGRPC2021
29048Felipe SimplicioWN/AJJ CON70KGR12021
31270Giovanni MarceloWPts: 2x2, AdvCharleston Open70KG4F2022
32024Max DeBeenWPts: 14x4Nashville Open70KG4F2022
32795Pedro SousaWArmbarHouston Open70KG4F2022
32797Ygor MauricioWPointsHouston Open70KGSF2022
33730Pedro SousaWArmbarAustin SMO70KGSF2022
35266Suraj BudhramWArmbarAtlanta FO70KG4F2022
35874Alan JuradoWClock chokeMiami FO70KGSF2022
37922Marcos ViniciusWArmbarTampa Open70KGSF2023
38507Jean PierreWArmbarPan American70KGR12023
46886Eric PhanEric PhanWInjuryAtlanta WO70KG4F2024
46889Thomas KennedyWPts: 4x2Atlanta WO70KGSF2024
47841Felipe BritoWStraight ankle lockDallas Open70KG4F2024
49534Thalys PontesThalys PontesWPts: 2x0Atlanta SPO70KG4F2024
50327Jihwan ParkWStraight ankle lockWorld Champ.70KGR12024
52588Pedro TakadiWPts: 2x2, AdvJJ CON70KGR22024
52700Gabriel AlejandroWN/AJJ CON NG73KGR12024
53021Thomas FosterWPts: 2x2, AdvAtlanta FO70KG4F2024

Brian Mahecha vs André Monteiro

Brian Mahecha vs Jacob Sandoval

Roberto Jimenez BJJ Attacking The Back

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