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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

42 WINS
  • BY POINTS
    15 (36%)
  • BY ADVANTAGES
    0 (0%)
  • BY SUBMISSION
    20 (48%)
  • BY DECISION
    6 (14%)
  • BY PENALTIES
    0 (0%)
  • BY DQ
    1 (2%)

20 SUBMISSIONS WINS

#214eb8
Choke from back
30
6
#86e620
Armbar
15
3
#5AD3D1
Paper Cutter choke
10
2
#d1212a
RNC
10
2
#fad11b
Katagatame
10
2
#f58822
Kimura
5
1
#224aba
Crucifix choke
5
1
#ff9124
Tarikoplata
5
1
#bf1f6c
Guillotine
5
1
#22c9a5
Triangle
5
1
20
(100%) SUBMISSIONS
28 LOSSES
  • BY POINTS
    10 (36%)
  • BY ADVANTAGES
    3 (11%)
  • BY SUBMISSION
    11 (39%)
  • BY DECISION
    4 (14%)
  • BY PENALTIES
    0 (0%)
  • BY DQ
    0 (0%)

11 SUBMISSIONS LOSSES

#214eb8
Choke from back
27
3
#86e620
Smother tap
9
1
#5AD3D1
Armbar
9
1
#d1212a
Back triangle
9
1
#fad11b
Heel hook
9
1
#f58822
Brabo choke
9
1
#224aba
Straight ankle lock
9
1
#ff9124
RNC
9
1
#bf1f6c
Darce choke
9
1
11
(100%) SUBMISSIONS

Rafael Anjos Fight History

ID Opponent W/L Method Competition Weight Stage Year
27882Andy MurasakiAndy MurasakiLPts: 0x0, AdvAtlanta SMOP82KGSF2021
28461Matheus LunaMatheus LunaLReferee DecisionSUBVERSIV 684KGSPF2021
28715Matheus LunaMatheus LunaLReferee DecisionNashville Open94KGSF2021
29555Mathias LunaMathias LunaLPts: 4x2World Champ.82KGR12021
30996Mateus RodriguesMateus RodriguesLChoke from backLA Open88KG4F2022
32508Joao CizeskiJoao CizeskiLReferee DecisionSD Open88KGSF2022
32522Adam WardzinskiAdam WardzinskiLChoke from backSD OpenABSSF2022
32543Vagner RochaVagner RochaLHeel hookSD NGOABS4F2022
32717Jonata GomesJonata GomesLPts: 4x2Denver OpenABS4F2022
33033Leandro LoLeandro LoLBrabo chokeWorld Champ.88KG8F2022
33482Ronaldo JuniorRonaldo JuniorLStraight ankle lockAmerican Nat.88KGSF2022
36331Roosevelt SousaRoosevelt SousaLRNCNashville NGOABSSF2022
36977Bruno MatiasBruno MatiasLPts: 4x0NoGi Worlds85KG8F2022
40490Tye RuotoloTye RuotoloLDarce chokeWorld Champ.82KG8F2023
42552Nolan StuartNolan StuartLPointsJJ Con88KGF2023
43393Horlando MonteiroHorlando MonteiroLSmother tapKansas OpenABSSF2023
44150Martin GonzalezLPts: 5x2OC Open88KGSF2023
44161Adam WardzinskiAdam WardzinskiLChoke from backOC OpenABS4F2023
45127Wallison OliveiraLPts: 2x2, AdvSacramento OpenABS4F2023
48098Uanderson FerreiraUanderson FerreiraLPts: 2x0Pan American88KG8F2024
49618Dory AounLReferee DecisionSan Jose SPO88KGRR2024
49627Matheus LunaMatheus LunaLPts: 4x2San Jose SPOABSSF2024
50467Gustavo BatistaGustavo BatistaLArmbarWorld Champ.88KG4F2024
51536Paulo LanzillottiLPts: 3x2OC SMOABS4F2024
52662Wellington LuisWellington LuisLPts: 2x0JJ CON88KGSF2024
56029Felipe CostaFelipe CostaLBack triangleWorld NoGi91KG8F2024
56694Wallison OliveiraLPts: 3x2OC Winter Open88KGSF2025
56703Francisco PapasideroLPts: 0x0, AdvOC Winter OpenABSR12025
27232Mathias LunaMathias LunaWReferee DecisionF2W 18083KGSPF2021
28722Marlon TanakaWArmbarNashville OpenABS4F2021
31322Thiago AndradeWPts: 2x0Boise Open88KGF2022
31329Scott ThometzWChoke from backBoise OpenABS4F2022
31332Tyrone GoncalvesWPts: 4x2Boise OpenABSSF2022
31334Scott ThometzWRNCBoise NGO85KGF2022
31335Scott ThometzWKatagatameBoise NGOABSSF2022
31336Cameron ChaffeeWGuillotineBoise NGOABSF2022
32507Brandyn ChapellWTriangleSD Open88KG4F2022
32520Antonio ZuazoWArmbarSD OpenABS4F2022
32538Miha PerhavecWPointsSD NGO85KGSF2022
32699Yan LucasYan LucasWPts: 2x0Denver Open88KGF2022
32713Thiago AndradeWReferee DecisionDenver OpenABSR12022
33024Nathan SantosWPts: 4x0World Champ.88KGR12022
33481Aaron TiegsWPointsAmerican Nat.88KG4F2022
36304Joseph WatsonWPointsNashville Open94KGSF2022
36305Mateus RodriguesMateus RodriguesWReferee DecisionNashville Open94KGF2022
36319Joshua McKinneyWRNCNashville NGO85KG4F2022
36321Clay MayfieldWKimuraNashville NGO85KGSF2022
36322Jeovany OrtizWKatagatameNashville NGO85KGF2022
36324Jeovany OrtizWPointsNashville NGOABSR12022
36327Emilio HernandezEmilio HernandezWPointsNashville NGOABS4F2022
40290Carlos FeitosaWArmbarB Raton Open88KGF2023
40489Felipe CesarFelipe CesarWReferee DecisionWorld Champ.82KGR12023
42548Dilano TaylorWPaper Cutter chokeJJ Con88KG4F2023
42551Jose JuremaJose JuremaWPointsJJ Con88KGSF2023
43386Carlos RafaelWChoke from backKansas Open88KGF2023
43392Rafael SilvaWChoke from backKansas OpenABS4F2023
44160Raul BasilioRaul BasilioWPts: 2x0OC OpenABSR12023
45117Nikolas WilliamsWPaper cutter chokeSacramento Open88KGRR2023
45118Wallison OliveiraWReferee DecisionSacramento Open88KGRR2023
49617Matheus LunaMatheus LunaWPts: 2x0San Jose SPO88KGRR2024
49626Joao NicoliteJoao NicoliteWDQSan Jose SPOABS4F2024
50446Manuel RibamarManuel RibamarWReferee DecisionWorld Champ.88KGR12024
50459Leonardo LaraLeonardo LaraWCrucifix chokeWorld Champ.88KG8F2024
51528S. KashadoorianWChoke from backOC SMO94KGSF2024
51530Fabio AlanoFabio AlanoWPts: 11x7OC SMO94KGF2024
52200Seva KhashadoorianWChoke from backSD SMO88KGSF2024
52202Oilson AlvimWChoke from backSD SMO88KGF2024
52658Eliyah SalaWTarikoplataJJ CON88KG4F2024
56025Nicholas HugesWPts: 4x0World NoGi91KGR12024
56693Eliyah SalaWPts: 9x0OC Winter Open88KG4F2025
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