Rafael Lovato Jr

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 Pan Championship NOGI (2024)
• 1st Place IBJJF European Championship (2007 / 2022)
• 1st Place IBJJF European Championship NOGI (2024)
• 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.

Banner photo was taken by William Burkhardt of BJJ Pix.

Lovato Jr vs Kayron Gracie