Kevin Mahecha

Kevin Mahecha is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Jonatas Gurgel, being widely regarded as one of the top lightweights of his generation. An American Top Team representative, Kevin and his twin brother Brian Mahecha (commonly known as the “Mahecha Bros”) embody the effectiveness of the new jiu jitsu style, a style heavily supportive of the sport’s modern day techniques which Kevin Mahecha has used to beat big grappling names such as Tim Spriggs, Michael Liera Jr, Rodrigo Freitas and many others.

Kevin Mahecha Jiu Jitsu

Full Name: Kevin Javier Mahecha

Nickname: n/a

Lineage: M. Maeda > Carlos Gracie > Carlson G. >André Pederneiras > João Roque > Jonatas Gurgel > Kevin Mahecha

Main Achievements:

• Miami International Open Champion (2014 absolute, 2015)
• Boston Spring Open Champion (2015)
• Pan Jiu-Jitsu Championship runner-up (2014 brown)
• American Nationals runner-up (2015)
• New York Summer International Open runner-up (2013 absolute)
• Miami International Open runner-up (2013 brown)
• World Championship 3rd Place (2010 blue weight + absolute)
• Pan Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi Championship 3rd Place (2012 purple, 2013 brown)
• American National No-Gi Championship 3rd Place (2012 brown)
• IBJJF New York Pro Championship 3rd Place (2015)
• New York Spring International Open3rd Place (2015)
• New York Summer International Open 3rd Place (2013)
• Miami International Open 3rd Place (2012 brown)

Favorite Position/Technique: Open Guard/Blitz Style Guard Passing

Weight Division: Peso Leve (76kg/167lbs)

Team/Association: American Top Team

Kevin Mahecha Biography

Kevin Mahecha was born on October 3rd, 1988 in in Manhattan – New York, USA.

Growin up, both Kevin and his twin brother Brian felt strongly connected with martial arts/combat sports. This connection led Kevin Kevin to join a Kung Fu and Kickboxing club at the age of 15. His brother following his footsteps shortly after.

Over the next couple of years the Mahecha brothers gravitated towards Kickboxing. With strong work ethics and a great mentor/role model by their side, coach Jarett “JP” Perelmutter, the two New Yorkers started making a name in the sport. Their strongest achievements being a silver medal at the prestigeous IFK World Championship – 2008 (Kevin under muay thai rules, Brian under international rules).

Mr Perelmutter instilled in both athletes the drive to compete, pushing the Mahecha’s to their limits from their formative years, onwards. This developed the revered work ethics that would characterize the brothers in their jiu jitsu careers.

Jiu jitsu was gradually implemented in the Mahecha’s lives. The brothers first started playing with grappling concepts through Bas Rutten’s DVDs, attempting to implement the techniques watched between themselves and often with their striking coach, Mr Perelmutter. That curiosity eventually led the Brian and Kevin to the American Top Team academy (ATT) on November 2007, where both introduced to a jiu jitsu curriculum 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 classes.

July 2008 brought a defining moment in the Mahecha bros lives, when Kevin and Brian were awarded their respective blue belts by Master Ricardo Libório. It was after this proud moment that the brothers decided to make the decisive switch from striking to grappling, committing 100% to Brazilian jiu jitsu.

Early in 2009, when coach Bussade opened his own academy in Wellington (still under the ATT umbrella) both of the Mahecha’s followed the instructor, who promoted them to purple belt later that year. It was at ATT Wellington that the two brothers would start being a part of the coaching staff, developing a style of teaching heavily influenced by their coach.

In 2012 Kevin and his brother straightened their bond with another ATT coach, Jonatas “Tagarela” Gurgel who ran two team affiliates in the nearby area: Coconut Creek and Aventura. Tagarela and Shark both awarded the brothers their brown belts in a combined effort back in 2012. Two years later, on June 2014 it would be Gurgel who promoted the Mahecha clan to black belt.

Visit the Mahecha Brothers techniques website: mahechabjj.com

Kevin Mahecha vs Tim Spriggs (2013)

Kevin Mahecha vs Marcel Goncalves (2015)