Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Team History, Fighter Stats, Biographies and News

BJJ Fanatics Instructionals
BJJ Fanatics Instructionals

Rafael Lovato Jr

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Nicholas Meregali Instructionals

Rafael Lovato Junior is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Carlos Machado who also worked extensively with the Ribeiro Brothers (Saulo and Alexandre). During his career as a professional grappler Lovato Junior made history on two occasions, first by being the first non-Brazilian to win the CBJJ Brazilian National Championship (2007) as a black belt, he would later rewrite his name in the tournament’s history books by conquering the open weight division (absolute), becoming the first non-Brazilian to achieve this deed also (2013). Other important landmarks in Rafael Lovato’s combat sports career were becoming the 3rd American citizen to win the IBJJF World Championship in the black belt division (2007) and his first major title in a mixed martial arts promotion in 2019 with Bellator (middleweight title).

Rafael Lovato Jr Jiu-Jitsu

Full Name: Rafael Lovato Junior

Nickname: N/A

Lineage: Carlos Gracie > Helio Gracie > Carlos Gracie Jr > Carlos Machado > Rafael Lovato Jr

Main Achievements:

  • 1st Place IBJJF World Championship (2007)
  • 1st Place IBJJF World Championship NoGi (2010)
  • 1st Place CBJJ Brazilian Nationals (2007 / 2013*)
  • 1st Place IBJJF Pan Championship (2007 / 2008)
  • 1st Place IBJJF European Open (2007 / 2022)
  • 1st Place Pro Sub League Invitational (2006)
  • 2nd Place ADCC (2024)

Main Achievements (Masters):

  • 1st Place IBJJF World Championship Masters (2017 / 2016** / 2020)
  • 2nd Place IBJJF World Championship Masters (2020*)

* Absolute
** Weight and absolute

Weight Division: Pesado (Heavyweight) 94kg-207lbs

Favorite Position/Technique: Well Rounded.

Team/Association: 6 Blades / Lovato BJJ

Rafael Lovato Jr Biography

Rafael Lovato was born on the 25th of June of 1983 in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America, though he moved to Oklahoma City when he was 8 years of age. Rafael’s father was an incredible Martial Artist which made young Rafael’s contact with combat sports inevitable. Still has a child Lovato Junior got involved with boxing (his first true love by his own admission) and later with Jeet Kwon Do. When Rafael was 13 he started his tuition in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu through his father who was taking classes in Dallas from Carlos Machado. Lovato senior would travel to the Texan city once a week to have private classes with Machado and then practice what he learned with his son, as he grew, Rafael Junior started joining his father on the trips to Dallas.

When Rafael got to brown belt, he was already considered one of the toughest American competitors in the BJJ scene, and a hot prospect for the future. Lovato’s relationship with Saulo Ribeiro started around that time when Rafael was 19 years of age. It was 2003 and Rafael had reached the final of the Arnold Invitational against Saulo Ribeiro, the two fought and at the end of the fight, Saulo invited Rafael to come and train with him in Brazil. Rafael accepted the invitation and later that year he visited Ribeiro. There the relationship between the two turned into a friendship and Lovato saw the potential of having a coach like Saulo beside him.

At the beginning of 2004, Rafael Lovato was invited to help Marc Laimon prepare for his fight with Ryron Gracie. The two spent 3 months as roommates in that training camp, creating a strong friendship that still stands today. After that camp, Rafael received his black belt in Jiu-Jitsu in August 2004, just after his 21st birthday. In 2005 Rafael moved for good to the Ribeiro brothers academy (Saulo and Alexandre) and made the most out of the new coaching, reaching the podium of most major tournaments he set foot on. In 2007 he achieved the greatest glory of them all, winning the World Championship.

In 2013 Rafael Lovato Junior won the Brazilian National Championship in the open weight division, being the first non-Brazilian man to win the coveted trophy.

Instructional by Rafael Lovato Junior

Rafael Lovato Grappling Record

128 WINS
  • BY POINTS
    41 (32%)
  • BY ADVANTAGES
    5 (4%)
  • BY SUBMISSION
    68 (53%)
  • BY DECISION
    12 (9%)
  • BY PENALTIES
    0 (0%)
  • BY DQ
    1 (1%)

68 SUBMISSIONS WINS

#214eb8
Armbar
21
14
#86e620
RNC
16
11
#5AD3D1
Kimura
15
10
#d1212a
Triangle
9
6
#fad11b
Submission
7
5
#f58822
Brabo choke
4
3
#224aba
Mounted X choke
4
3
#ff9124
Katagatame
3
2
#bf1f6c
Ezekiel
3
2
#22c9a5
North South choke
1
1
#fad223
Baseball choke
1
1
#03861f
Arm in guillotine
1
1
#039a1f
Arm in Ezekiel
1
1
#03b41f
Cross choke
1
1
#03c61f
Choke
1
1
#03d61f
Shoulder pressure
1
1
#03f61f
Crucifix choke
1
1
#82ff5f
Guillotine
1
1
#a4ff5f
Anaconda
1
1
#dbff5f
Darce choke
1
1
Mounted triangle
1
1
68
(100%) SUBMISSIONS
58 LOSSES
  • BY POINTS
    28 (48%)
  • BY ADVANTAGES
    5 (9%)
  • BY SUBMISSION
    11 (19%)
  • BY DECISION
    13 (22%)
  • BY PENALTIES
    1 (2%)
  • BY DQ
    0 (0%)

11 SUBMISSIONS LOSSES

#214eb8
Armbar
27
3
#86e620
Choke from back
9
1
#5AD3D1
Estima lock
9
1
#d1212a
Footlock
9
1
#fad11b
Cross choke
9
1
#f58822
Heel hook
9
1
#224aba
Crucifix choke
9
1
#ff9124
Inside heel hook
9
1
#bf1f6c
RNC
9
1
11
(100%) SUBMISSIONS

Rafael Lovato Fight History

ID Opponent W/L Method Competition Weight Stage Year
1375Eduardo TellesEduardo TellesLPts: 2x0Pan American94KGSF2006
1392Roger GracieRoger GracieLArmbarPan AmericanABSSF2006
1633Romulo BarralRomulo BarralLPointsPan AmericanABSSF2007
1701Demian MaiaDemian MaiaLPointsADCC88KG4F2007
1777Braga NetoBraga NetoLPts: 2x2, AdvWorld Champ.ABSR12007
1796Flavio AlmeidaFlavio AlmeidaLPts: 2x0NoGi Pan Am.100KGSF2007
1815Luiz TheodoroLPts: 2x0Super ChallengeABSR12007
1834Mario SukataLReferee Decision10k ChallengeABSGP2007
1843Braulio EstimaBraulio EstimaLArmbar10k ChallengeABSSF2007
1967Braga NetoBraga NetoLPts: 5x0World Champ.100KGF2008
1987Andre GalvaoAndre GalvaoLChoke from backWorld Champ.ABS4F2008
2126Braulio EstimaBraulio EstimaLPts: 5x0World Pro.ABS4F2009
2196Rubens CharlesRubens CharlesLPts: 2x0Pan AmericanABS4F2009
2267Braulio EstimaBraulio EstimaLEstima lockADCC88KGSF2009
2270David AvellanLFootlockADCC88KG3RD2009
2357Alexandre SouzaAlexandre SouzaLPts: 2x0World Champ.94KGSF2009
2376Roger GracieRoger GracieLCross chokeWorld Champ.ABS4F2009
2433Braga NetoBraga NetoLPts: 0x0, AdvNoGi Worlds100KGF2009
2658Bernardo FariaBernardo FariaLPts: 3x0BrasileiroABSF2010
2715Bernardo FariaBernardo FariaLPointsWorld Champ.94KGSF2010
2863Lucio RodriguesLucio RodriguesLPts: 6x2European100KGF2011
2993Bernardo FariaBernardo FariaLPts: 2x0World Champ.ABS4F2011
3143Rodolfo VieiraRodolfo VieiraLPts: 20x2World Champ.94KGSF2011
3284Rousimar PalharesRousimar PalharesLHeel hookADCC88KGSF2011
3292Pablo PopovitchPablo PopovitchLPointsADCC88KG3PLC2011
3516Roberto AlencarRoberto AlencarLN/AEuropean Open94KGSF2012
3527Bernardo FariaBernardo FariaLPts: 4x2European OpenABSSF2012
3651Yuri SimoesYuri SimoesLAdvPan American94KGSF2012
3805Vitor ToledoVitor ToledoLAdvWorld Pro.88KGSF2012
4088Romulo BarralRomulo BarralLPts: 5x2World Champ.88KGSF2012
4253Roberto AlencarRoberto AlencarLReferee DecisionNoGi Worlds94KGF2012
4472Andre GalvaoAndre GalvaoLReferee DecisionMetamoris 2ABSSPF2013
4643Dimitrius SouzaDimitrius SouzaLPts: 2x0Brasileiro94KG4F2013
4820Joao RochaJoao RochaLPts: 10x0World Champ.100KGSF2013
5021Romulo BarralRomulo BarralLPointsADCC88KGF2013
5267Lucio RodriguesLucio RodriguesLPts: 2x0European100KGF2014
5403Yuri SimoesYuri SimoesLAdvPan American94KGSF2014
5842Andre GalvaoAndre GalvaoLPts: 5x0World Champ.94KGSF2014
7935Rustam ChsievLReferee DecisionADCC88KG4F2015
7995Rodolfo VieiraRodolfo VieiraLPts: 5x0ADCCABS4F2015
12571Marcus AlmeidaMarcus AlmeidaLPts: 4x0ADCC WC TrialsO99KGSPF2017
13872Felipe PenaFelipe PenaLReferee DecisionADCC99KGSF2017
13874Jackson SousaJackson SousaLReferee DecisionADCC99KG3RD2017
19477Yuri SimoesYuri SimoesLReferee DecisionF2W 104ABSSPF2019
23478Roberto AbreuRoberto AbreuLPointsSub StarsN/ASPF2020
23814Lucas BarbosaLucas BarbosaLArmbarF2W 14493KGSPF2020
23959Tex JohnsonTex JohnsonLReferee DecisionF2W 151126KGSPF2020
24441Dimitrius SouzaDimitrius SouzaLCrucifix chokeBJJ Stars 494KGSPF2020
25999Gilbert BurnsGilbert BurnsLReferee DecisionWNO 894KGSPF2021
28357Fellipe AndrewFellipe AndrewLPts: 4x0NoGi Worlds97KG8F2021
33063Guilherme AugustoGuilherme AugustoLPts: 3x0World Champ.O100KG4F2022
34271Nicholas MeregaliNicholas MeregaliLReferee DecisionWNO 1493KGSPF2022
35116Kaynan DuarteKaynan DuarteLReferee DecisionADCC99KGSF2022
35119Nicholas MeregaliNicholas MeregaliLPts: 0x0, PenADCC99KG3RD2022
45743Pedro MarinhoPedro MarinhoLReferee DecisionWNO 2194KGSPF2023
47467Craig JonesCraig JonesLInside heel hookUFC FP6ABSSPF2024
49648Felipe PenaFelipe PenaLReferee DecisionWNO 23O93KGSPF2024
52460Kaynan DuarteKaynan DuarteLRNCADCC99KGF2024
1144Rolles GracieRolles GracieWBrabo chokeBudo ChallengeO108KGSF2005
1145Takeshi KosaiWDQBudo ChallengeO108KGSF2005
1390Eduardo TellesEduardo TellesWPts: 2x0Pan AmericanABS4F2006
1538Nolan DutcherWRNCGQ All Star Pro91KG4F2006
1539Dave BranchWReferee DecisionGQ All Star Pro91KGSF2006
1540Chris MoriartyChris MoriartyWRNCGQ All Star Pro91KGF2006
1549Lee SynowskiWPts: 4x0Budweiser Champ.ABS4F2007
1550Ian McPhersonIan McPhersonWRNCBudweiser Champ.ABSSF2007
1551Chris MoriartyChris MoriartyWInjuryBudweiser Champ.ABSF2007
1594Braga NetoBraga NetoWPts: 4x2Brasileiro100KGSF2007
1596Roberto AbreuRoberto AbreuWPts: 4x0Brasileiro100KGF2007
1623UnknownWTrianglePan American100KGR12007
1624Rodrigo TeixeiraWBrabo chokePan American100KG4F2007
1625UnknownWBrabo chokePan American100KGSF2007
1626Cristiano LazzariniCristiano LazzariniWPts: 2x0Pan American100KGF2007
1696Marko HelenWArmbarADCC88KGR12007
1770Bruno PaulistaBruno PaulistaWPointsWorld Champ.O100KG4F2007
1771Luis TheodoroWReferee DecisionWorld Champ.O100KGF2007
1795Nick KlineWPointsNoGi Pan Am.100KG4F2007
1837Anthony RodeWRNC10k ChallengeABSGP2007
1838Stephen DawsonWAnaconda10k ChallengeABSGP2007
1878Fabio MarmontelWArmbarPan American94KG4F2008
1880Fernando PieroFernando PieroWAdvPan American94KGSF2008
1881Roberto AlencarRoberto AlencarWAdvPan American94KGF2008
1964Arthur CesarWKimuraWorld Champ.100KG4F2008
1966Roberto AbreuRoberto AbreuWPts: 8x4World Champ.100KGSF2008
1980Marcel FortunaMarcel FortunaWArmbarWorld Champ.ABSR12008
1983Rubens CharlesRubens CharlesWPts: 4x2World Champ.ABSR22008
2262Tom LawlorWPointsADCC88KGR12009
2266Bruno BastosBruno BastosWDarce chokeADCC88KG4F2009
2355Fernando PieroFernando PieroWAdvWorld Champ.94KG4F2009
2431Marcel FortunaMarcel FortunaWRNCNoGi Worlds100KGSF2009
2564Leo NogueiraLeo NogueiraWPointsPan American94KG4F2010
2565Joao AssisJoao AssisWPts: 2x0Pan American94KGSF2010
2566Bernardo FariaBernardo FariaWPts: 7x0Pan American94KGF2010
2618Roberto AlencarRoberto AlencarWReferee DecisionNo Gi Worlds94KGF2010
2709Tony EduardoWPointsWorld Champ.94KGR12010
2713Joao AssisJoao AssisWPointsWorld Champ.94KG4F2010
2946Rodolfo VieiraRodolfo VieiraWPts: 4x2World P. NoGi92KGF2011
2976Mick WilsonWPts: 2x0World Champ.ABSR12011
2988Antonio CarlosAntonio CarlosWTriangleWorld Champ.ABSR22011
3086Fernando PieroFernando PieroWTriangleWorld Champ.94KGRDS2011
3124Renan VitalWArmbarWorld Champ.94KG4F2011
3238Jeon Doo KwangWRNCADCC88KGR12011
3269Kyle GriffinWTriangleADCC88KG4F2011
3360Frederico MoncaioWRNCNo Gi Worlds88KG4F2011
3375Otavio SousaOtavio SousaWPts: 4x0No Gi Worlds88KGSF2011
3386Pablo PopovitchPablo PopovitchWPts: 4x0No Gi Worlds88KGF2011
3418Bruno BastosBruno BastosWPts: 2x0UFC ExpoABSSPF2011
3524Igor SilvaIgor SilvaWKimuraEuropean OpenABS4F2012
3648Igor AraújoWPointsPan American94KGR22012
3799Rodrigo ClarkWSubmissionWorld Pro.88KGR12012
3802Roberto FonsecaWPointsWorld Pro.88KG4F2012
4086Dimitrius SouzaDimitrius SouzaWReferee DecisionWorld Champ.88KG4F2012
4150Kayron GracieKayron GracieWKimuraMetamorisABSSPF2012
4249Max FreitasWKimuraNoGi Worlds94KGR12012
4251Nivaldo OliveiraNivaldo OliveiraWKatagatameNoGi Worlds94KGSF2012
4370Murilo SantanaMurilo SantanaD---World ExpoABSSPF2013
4632Alexandre CeconiAlexandre CeconiWN/ABrasileiroABSSF2013
4633R. EvangelistaR. EvangelistaWKimuraBrasileiroABSF2013
4817Antonio PeinadoAntonio PeinadoWPts: 5x0World Champ.100KG4F2013
5009Shinsho AnzaiWMounted triangleADCC88KGR12013
5016Rustam ChsievWTriangleADCC88KG4F2013
5018Pablo PopovitchPablo PopovitchWPointsADCC88KGSF2013
5118Ricardo RezendeRicardo RezendeWPointsNoGi WorldsO100KGSF2013
5119Fabiano SchernerFabiano SchernerWAdvNoGi WorldsO100KGF2013
5400Bueno/AllianceWPointsPan American94KG4F2014
5839Jackson SousaJackson SousaWPts: 2x0World Champ.94KG4F2014
5964Andrew KimlerWKimuraFive TXABSSF2014
5965Joshua HaydenWPts: 10x0Five TXABSF2014
5966Andrew KimlerWKimuraFive TX NoGiABSSF2014
5967Joshua HaydenWPts: 10x0Five TX NoGiABSF2014
5968Douglas BuenoWEzekielFive TX NoGi94KGF2014
7538Wellington PerotoWKimuraCuritiba No Gi100KGSF2015
7539Fernando PiresWNorth South chokeCuritiba No Gi100KGF2015
7541UnknownWN/ACuritiba No GiABSSF2015
7547Hugo BrittoWSubmissionCuritiba Open94KGSF2015
7549Jurandir ConceicaoJurandir ConceicaoWArmbarCuritiba Open94KGF2015
7550K. MouraWSubmissionCuritiba OpenABSSF2015
7551Pedro MouraWSubmissionCuritiba OpenABSF2015
7928Hidemi MiharaWPts: 7x0ADCC88KGR12015
7990Abdulkadirov MagomedWPts: 5x0ADCCABSR12015
8603Michael LieraMichael LieraWPts: 0x0, AdvHouston Nat. Pro94KGF2015
8605Carlos FariasCarlos FariasWBaseball chokeHouston Nat. ProABSRR2015
8606Michael LieraMichael LieraWPts: 7x0Houston Nat. ProABSF2015
9097Ricardo AbreuRicardo AbreuWArm in guillotineF2W 3ABSSPF2016
9910Steve PattersonWArm in EzekielRespect ProABSSPF2016
10230Roberto AbreuRoberto AbreuWReferee DecisionF2W 7O100KGSPF2016
10487Tanner RiceTanner RiceWCross chokeF2W 11ABSSPF2016
13862Eliott KellyWPointsADCC99KGE12017
13869Mahamed AlyMahamed AlyWPts: 3x0ADCC99KG4F2017
15305Tim SpriggsTim SpriggsWRNCF2W 64100KGSPF2018
18453Josh HingerJosh HingerWReferee DecisionF2W 9588KGSPF2018
19553Jake ShieldsJake ShieldsWReferee DecisionPolaris 992KGSPF2019
21979Richie MartinezRichie MartinezWKimuraWorld FestivalABSSPF2019
23760Arnaldo MaidanaArnaldo MaidanaWMounted X chokeF2W 141112KGSPF2020
23865Helton JoseHelton JoseWArmbarF2W 14793KGSPF2020
24024Hunter ColvinWMounted X chokeOklahoma Open94KGSF2020
24025Victor SilvaWMounted X chokeOklahoma Open94KGF2020
24027Emilio HernandezEmilio HernandezWArmbarOklahoma OpenABS4F2020
24029Rodrigo TatuRodrigo TatuWEzekielOklahoma OpenABSSF2020
25234Rafael VasconcelosRafael VasconcelosWArmbarDallas Open94KGSF2021
25236Yuri SantosWArmbarDallas Open94KGF2021
25269Yuri SantosWArmbarDallas NGO92KGF2021
25288Gabriel AlmeidaGabriel AlmeidaWKimuraF2W 166N/ASPF2021
26660Charles McGuireWSubmissionOklahoma Open100KGF2021
26664Eduardo AvelarEduardo AvelarWChokeOklahoma OpenABSSF2021
26666Leo SilvaLeo SilvaWPts: 2x0Oklahoma OpenABSF2021
26670Damion OrandayDamion OrandayWKatagatameOklahoma NGOABSSF2021
26671Todd WallingWShoulder pressureOklahoma NGOABSF2021
26958Alexadre CeconiWReferee DecisionF2W 177100KGSPF2021
27232Gabriel ArgesGabriel ArgesWReferee DecisionF2W 18092KGSPF2021
29332Adam WardzinskiAdam WardzinskiWReferee DecisionRaw GCABSSPF2021
29711Mike WilcoxWRNCUFC Inv.ABSRR2021
29712Jon PiersmaD---UFC Inv.ABSRR2021
29717Travis TookeD---UFC Inv.ABSRR2021
30146Jonathan AndrewWArmbarOklahoma Open100KGSF2022
30157Hunter ColvinWReferee DecisionOklahoma NGOABSSF2022
30158Austin OrandayAustin OrandayWArmbarOklahoma NGOABSF2022
30651Mikko VeijoneWArmbarEuropean OpenO100KGR12022
30653Guilherme JardimWArmbarEuropean OpenO100KG4F2022
30658Yatan BuenoYatan BuenoWCrucifix chokeEuropean OpenO100KGSF2022
30659Guilherme BachaGuilherme BachaWPts: 7x2European OpenO100KGF2022
33060Erberth SantosErberth SantosWPts: 4x2World Champ.O100KG8F2022
35109Perttu TerpponnenWRNCADCC99KGR12022
35113Vinicius TratorVinicius TratorWPts: 2x0ADCC99KG4F2022
40206Elder CruzElder CruzWRNCWNO 1892KGSPF2023
43381R. EvangelistaR. EvangelistaWTriangleWNO 20ABSSPF2023
52451Elionai BrazWPts: 3x0ADCC99KGR12024
52456Patrick GaudioPatrick GaudioWGuillotineADCC99KG4F2024
52458Michael PixleyWReferee DecisionADCC99KGSF2024

Banner photo was taken by William Burkhardt of BJJ Pix.

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