João Mendes, often referenced as João “Bisnaga”, is a jiu-jitsu black belt under André Galvão, being also one of the main representatives of the Atos Jiu-Jitsu Academy in this sport/martial art’s international competitive circuit. Bisnaga is also one of the top grapplers of the featherweight division (70,00 kg / 154.5 lbs), a status conquered after several important wins in the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) tour.
João Mendes Jiu Jitsu
Full Name: João Pedro Bueno Mendes
Nickname: “Bisnaga” is a Portuguese term for a Water Gun or an Ointment Tube, although it is also used colloquially to represent a “momma’s boy” of sorts, in João’s case, the name is a reference to the latter. Back in 2017, in an interview to BJJ Heroes, João explained the event that led to his nickname – “The first day when my dad dropped me at the [BJJ] academy, in the spur of the moment he told the coach ‘take good care of my Bisnaga’. I tried to deny the nickname on the spot, but was too quiet in my attempt and everyone started calling me this from then on”.
Lineage: Carlos Gracie > R. Gracie > Osvaldo Alves > Luis Dagmar > André Galvão> João Mendes
Main Achievements:
- 2nd Place IBJJF American Nationals (2021)
- 2nd Place IBJJF The Crown GP (2024)
- 2nd Place UAEJJF Grand Slam, RJ (2018)
- 3rd Place IBJJF European Open (2019)
- 3rd Place UAEJJF Grand Slam, MIA (2020)
Main Achievements:
- 1st Place IBJJF World Championship (2016 purple)
- 1st Place IBJJF World Championship Juvenile (2013**/2014**)
- 1st Place IBJJF Pan Championship Juvenile (2014**)
- 1st Place CBJJ Brazilian Nationals Juvenile (2013**/2014)
- 1st Place IBJJF Sul Brasileiro Championship (2015 purple)
- 1st Place IBJJF San Diego Open (2017 brown)
- 1st Place IBJJF Las Vegas Open (2017 brown)
- 1st Place UAEJJF Curitiba Pro (2016 purple)
- 2nd Place IBJJF World Championship (2017 brown)
- 2nd Place IBJJF Pan Championship (2018 brown)
- 3rd Place IBJJF World Championship (2018 brown)
- 3rd Place CBJJ Brazilian Nationals (2015 blue)
* Absolute
** Weight and absolute
Favorite Position/Technique: Omoplata, Open Guard
Weight Division: Peso Pena (70,00 kg / 154.5 lbs)
Team/Association: Atos Jiu-Jitsu
João Mendes Biography
João Pedro Mendes was born on July 21, 1997, in Curitiba, the capital and largest city of the Brazilian state of Paraná.
Growing up in the metropolitan area of Curitiba (Colombo), João was not prone to the sporting lifestyle. He was also small for his age and shy in nature, traits that pressed his parents to enroll young Mendes in jiu-jitsu classes as a child, hoping a combat sport/martial art would help overcome any physical and mental limitations he had.
Although seemingly harsh, the competition-focused environment found in jiu-jitsu did indeed bring out the best in João Pedro, who went on to win his first Brazilian National title as an orange belt (junior) in 2011, a podium placement he would revisit repeatedly throughout his career.
Although living in a more remote area of Brazil, one not often identified with this sport, and training in a small gym, Mendes was able to break through these barriers and become one of the most promising athletes of his generation. Much of this evolution can be pinned to Alexandre Nunes, commonly referenced as Bokão. Nunes was Bisnaga’s first instructor and figure of tremendous importance in his life on the mats, standing by João’s side for most of his colored belt career.
In 2016 Bisnaga decided to do the IBJJF World Championship training camp in San Diego, California, at the Atos team headquarters with coaches André and Angélica Galvão. João’s work rate and talent earned him an invitation to return to the team, then becoming part of the academy’s workgroup.
After two years training alongside the Galvão’s, on June 8, 2018, João Pedro Mendes was promoted to black belt by André Galvão.
Joao Mendes Grappling Record
-
BY POINTS
40 (55%) -
BY ADVANTAGES
12 (16%) -
BY SUBMISSION
17 (23%) -
BY DECISION
4 (5%) -
BY PENALTIES
0 (0%) - BY DQ
0 (0%)
17 SUBMISSIONS WINS
-
BY POINTS
10 (34%) -
BY ADVANTAGES
4 (14%) -
BY SUBMISSION
11 (38%) -
BY DECISION
4 (14%) -
BY PENALTIES
0 (0%) - BY DQ
0 (0%)
11 SUBMISSIONS LOSSES
Joao Mendes Fight History
ID | Opponent | W/L | Method | Competition | Weight | Stage | Year |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
18041 | Hiago GeorgeHiago George | L | Points | Rio BJJ Pro | 70KG | SF | 2018 |
18279 | Isaque PaivaIsaque Paiva | L | Armbar | Grand Slam RJ | 69KG | F | 2018 |
18896 | Isaac DoederleinIsaac Doederlein | L | Pts: 2x2, Adv | European Open | 70KG | SF | 2019 |
19589 | Isaac DoederleinIsaac Doederlein | L | Armlock | Pan American | 70KG | 4F | 2019 |
20455 | Kennedy MacielKennedy Maciel | L | Pts: 2x0 | San Diego Open | 70KG | SF | 2019 |
20609 | Matheus GabrielMatheus Gabriel | L | Pts: 6x4 | World Champ. | 70KG | R2 | 2019 |
20940 | Kennedy MacielKennedy Maciel | L | Points | American Nats | 70KG | SF | 2019 |
21440 | Israel SousaIsrael Sousa | L | Referee Decision | Las Vegas Open | 70KG | SF | 2019 |
21677 | Eric PhanEric Phan | L | Armbar | Grand Slam LA | 69KG | R1 | 2019 |
22409 | Connor Donaldson | L | Armlock | Long Beach Open | 76KG | 4F | 2019 |
22496 | Lucas ValenteLucas Valente | L | Choke from back | SJJIF Worlds | 76KG | F | 2019 |
24041 | Kennedy MacielKennedy Maciel | L | Pts: 2x1 | Grand Slam MIA | 69KG | 4F | 2020 |
24180 | Richar NogueiraRichar Nogueira | L | Pts: 0x0, Adv | Pan American | 70KG | 4F | 2020 |
24717 | Davi Oliveira | L | RNC | Grand Slam RJ | 69KG | 8F | 2020 |
26147 | Kieran KichukKieran Kichuk | L | Inside heel hook | NoGi Pan Am. | 73KG | 4F | 2021 |
26694 | Richar NogueiraRichar Nogueira | L | Pts: 4x4, Adv | American Nats | 70KG | F | 2021 |
27590 | Fabricio AndreyFabricio Andrey | L | Choke from back | Pan American | 70KG | 8F | 2021 |
29495 | Yuta ShimadaYuta Shimada | L | Pts: 0x0, Adv | World Champ. | 64KG | 8F | 2021 |
30002 | Matheus Galvao | L | Points | Austin WO | 76KG | F | 2022 |
31675 | Thiago MacedoThiago Macedo | L | Pts: 2x0 | Pan American | 70KG | R2 | 2022 |
38071 | Pablo LavaselliPablo Lavaselli | L | Pts: 2x0 | LA Open | 76KG | F | 2023 |
38513 | Marcio AndreMarcio Andre | L | Pts: 4x2 | Pan American | 70KG | 8F | 2023 |
39204 | Jonata GomesJonata Gomes | L | Referee Decision | Santa Cruz O | 76KG | SF | 2023 |
39653 | Alex SodreAlex Sodre | L | Pts: 2x0 | Brasileiro | 70KG | 4F | 2023 |
40421 | Diego SodreDiego Sodre | L | Referee Decision | World Champ. | 70KG | 4F | 2023 |
47996 | Kennedy MacielKennedy Maciel | L | Choke from back | Pan American | 70KG | R1 | 2024 |
52051 | Josh CisnerosJosh Cisneros | L | RNC | F2W 256 | 70KG | SPF | 2024 |
53460 | Ademir BarretoAdemir Barreto | L | Referee Decision | ADGS DLS | 69KG | 4F | 2024 |
55360 | Diego OliveiraDiego Oliveira | L | Choke from back | IBJJF Crown | 70KG | F | 2024 |
17158 | Carlos Alberto | W | Pts: 40x0 | Floripa W. Open | 76KG | 4F | 2018 |
17163 | Rafael MansurRafael Mansur | W | Adv | Floripa W. Open | 76KG | SF | 2018 |
17164 | Luciano Bernert | W | Triangle | Floripa W. Open | 76KG | F | 2018 |
17903 | Higor Paterra | W | Submission | Curitiba SPO | 70KG | 4F | 2018 |
17904 | Andrey Adam | W | Triangle | Curitiba SPO | 70KG | SF | 2018 |
17906 | Gabriel MarangoniGabriel Marangoni | W | Adv | Curitiba SPO | 70KG | F | 2018 |
18039 | Tiago BarrosTiago Barros | W | Points | Rio BJJ Pro | 70KG | 4F | 2018 |
18268 | Gabriel Vilella | W | Pts: 0x0, Adv | Grand Slam RJ | 69KG | R1 | 2018 |
18274 | Victor Moraes | W | Pts: 4x4, Adv | Grand Slam RJ | 69KG | 4F | 2018 |
18278 | Rafael MansurRafael Mansur | W | Referee Decision | Grand Slam RJ | 69KG | SF | 2018 |
18895 | Gabriel MarangoniGabriel Marangoni | W | Pts: 4x4, Adv | European Open | 70KG | 4F | 2019 |
19158 | Jacob Sandoval | W | N/A | OC Open | 70KG | SF | 2019 |
19159 | Spencer Nogawa | W | Pts: 22x0 | OC Open | 70KG | F | 2019 |
19579 | Hiroaki Otsuka | W | Pts: 8x0 | Pan American | 70KG | 8F | 2019 |
19989 | Jose Leon | W | Pts: 45x0 | San Jose Open | 70KG | SF | 2019 |
19991 | Cole FransonCole Franson | W | Pts: 4x4, Adv | San Jose Open | 70KG | F | 2019 |
20451 | Geoff Villareal | W | Armbar | San Diego Open | 70KG | 4F | 2019 |
20602 | Hiroaki Otsuka | W | Pts: 13x0 | World Champ. | 70KG | R1 | 2019 |
20938 | G. Villareal | W | Cross choke | American Nats | 70KG | 4F | 2019 |
21145 | Esdras Bezerra | W | Points | Fresno Open | 70KG | F | 2019 |
21434 | Joshua Prestley | W | Choke from back | Las Vegas Open | 70KG | R1 | 2019 |
21436 | Eric PhanEric Phan | W | Pts: 4x2 | Las Vegas Open | 70KG | 4F | 2019 |
21775 | Edward Kang | W | Referee Decision | F2W 126 | 70KG | SPF | 2019 |
22493 | Gabriel Revoredo | W | Points | SJJIF Worlds | 76KG | 4F | 2019 |
22495 | Kauan BarbozaKauan Barboza | W | Points | SJJIF Worlds | 76KG | SF | 2019 |
22823 | Cole FransonCole Franson | W | Referee Decision | F2W 133 | 70KG | SPF | 2019 |
24038 | Danilo MoreiraDanilo Moreira | W | Pts: 3x0 | Grand Slam MIA | 69KG | R1 | 2020 |
24047 | Raphael Cadena | W | Pts: 4x0 | Grand Slam MIA | 69KG | RPC | 2020 |
24048 | Giovanni Carvalho | W | Pts: 2x1 | Grand Slam MIA | 69KG | 3RD | 2020 |
24175 | Thiago AbudThiago Abud | W | Pts: 6x4 | Pan American | 70KG | 8F | 2020 |
24710 | Everton Freitas | W | Pts: 9x3 | Grand Slam RJ | 69KG | R1 | 2020 |
26136 | Mauricio Gomez | W | Pts: 14x0 | NoGi Pan Am. | 73KG | R1 | 2021 |
26146 | Francisco CuneoFrancisco Cuneo | W | Pts: 0x0, Adv | NoGi Pan Am. | 73KG | 8F | 2021 |
26628 | Diogo ReisDiogo Reis | W | Pts: 2x0 | EUG 2 | 65KG | SPF | 2021 |
26691 | Danilo MoreiraDanilo Moreira | W | Referee Decision | American Nats | 70KG | 4F | 2021 |
26692 | Daniel MairaDaniel Maira | W | Pts: 4x0 | American Nats | 70KG | SF | 2021 |
28698 | Felipe Makoto | W | Pts: 6x6, Adv | Nashville Open | 70KG | 4F | 2021 |
28703 | Edmaicon Silva | W | Triangle | Nashville Open | 70KG | SF | 2021 |
28704 | Matheus Honda | W | Pts: 6x0 | Nashville Open | 70KG | F | 2021 |
29999 | Carlos Castro | W | Pts: 0x0, Adv | Austin WO | 76KG | 4F | 2022 |
30000 | Arthur DetanicoArthur Detanico | W | Pts: 8x4 | Austin WO | 76KG | SF | 2022 |
31668 | Brian MahechaBrian Mahecha | W | Pts: 8x4 | Pan American | 70KG | R1 | 2022 |
32481 | Michael Alvarez | W | Armbar | SD Open | 70KG | 4F | 2022 |
32483 | Nathanael Martinez | W | Pts: 20x0 | SD Open | 70KG | SF | 2022 |
32485 | Pedro SerranoPedro Serrano | W | Points | SD Open | 70KG | F | 2022 |
32666 | Victor Mota | W | Pts: 5x0 | Denver Open | 70KG | 4F | 2022 |
32668 | Thiago Cintra | W | Botinha | Denver Open | 70KG | SF | 2022 |
32670 | Ariel TabakAriel Tabak | W | Pts: 4x0 | Denver Open | 70KG | F | 2022 |
35358 | Manny Moreno | W | Points | Art Suave Elite | 77KG | SPF | 2022 |
37859 | Jose Mazariegos | W | Choke from back | Memphis Open | 76KG | 4F | 2023 |
37861 | Gabriel SousaGabriel Sousa | W | Pts: 7x2 | Memphis Open | 76KG | F | 2023 |
38002 | Pablo LavaselliPablo Lavaselli | W | Pts: 2x0 | Dallas Open | 76KG | SF | 2023 |
38003 | Danilo MoreiraDanilo Moreira | W | Pts: 4x0 | Dallas Open | 76KG | F | 2023 |
38505 | David Mosleh | W | Wristlock | Pan American | 70KG | R1 | 2023 |
39649 | Artur Oliveira | W | Katagatame | Brasileiro | 70KG | R1 | 2023 |
40411 | Matheus Onda | W | Pts: 2x0 | World Champ. | 70KG | R1 | 2023 |
40413 | Minho Yoon | W | Pts: 2x2, Adv | World Champ. | 70KG | 8F | 2023 |
43099 | Guilherme FernandesGuilherme Fernandes | W | Pts: 2x2 | ADGS Miami | 69KG | 8F | 2023 |
43106 | Stefano Iturralde | W | Pts: 29x0 | ADGS Miami | 69KG | 4F | 2023 |
43109 | Kevin MahechaKevin Mahecha | W | Pts: 7x6 | ADGS Miami | 69KG | SF | 2023 |
46305 | Cesar Predes | W | Pts: 8x0 | S Jose Open | 82KG | SF | 2024 |
48724 | Ismael SantosIsmael Santos | W | Pts: 2x0 | Nashville Open | 70KG | SF | 2024 |
48726 | Emilio HernandezEmilio Hernandez | W | Triangle | Nashville Open | 70KG | F | 2024 |
49037 | Antonio Torres | W | Pts: 0x0, Adv | OC Open | 70KG | SF | 2024 |
49039 | Zach KainaZach Kaina | W | Pts: 0x0, Adv | OC Open | 70KG | F | 2024 |
49584 | Owen Sabroe | W | Katagatame | San Jose SPO | 70KG | RR | 2024 |
52165 | Yue Goh | W | Choke | SD SMO | 76KG | SF | 2024 |
52166 | Guilherme FernandesGuilherme Fernandes | W | Choke from back | SD SMO | 76KG | F | 2024 |
52288 | Aleksandr Ustimenko | W | N/A | SD SM NGO | 73KG | F | 2024 |
53447 | Pablo Henrique | W | Omoplata | ADGS DLS | 69KG | R1 | 2024 |
53454 | Fabio Henrique | W | Pts: 6x0 | ADGS DLS | 69KG | 8F | 2024 |
55356 | Kennedy MacielKennedy Maciel | W | Pts: 4x2 | IBJJF Crown | 70KG | 4F | 2024 |
55359 | Ademir BarretoAdemir Barreto | W | Pts: 2x0 | IBJJF Crown | 70KG | SF | 2024 |
Joao Pedro Mendes 2017 Highlight