Rafael Mansur

Rafael Mansur is an accomplished Brazilian jiu jitsu athlete, and black belt under Pedro Mello, also revered as one of the most talented representatives of the New School Brotherhood academy. Virtually unknown to the sport’s mainstream media until reaching the black belt division, Mansur turned heads his way with amazing performances and wins over household names such as Herbert Burns and Gianni Grippo, while earning podium spots at tournaments such as the Brazilian No-Gi Championship and the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam.

Rafael Mansur

Full Name: Rafael Machado Mansur

Nickname: n/a

Lineage:  Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie > Helio Gracie > Rolls Gracie > Romero Cavalcanti > Paulo Sérgio Santos > Pedro Mello > Rafael Mansur

Main Achievements:

• CBJJ Brazilian National Champion (2018)
• CBJJ Brazilian National Championship 2nd Place (2017)
• CBJJ Brazilian National No-Gi Championship 2nd Place (2015)
• UAEJJF Abu Dhabi Grand Slam – Rio de Janeiro 2nd Place (2017/2016)
• IBJJF Curitiba International Open 2nd Place (2016)
• IBJJF Pan American 3rd Place (2019)
• UAEJJF Abu Dhabi Grand Slam – Rio de Janeiro 3rd Place (2015)
• UAEJJF Abu Dhabi World Pro Championship 4th Place (2016)

Main Achievements (Colored Belts):

• IBJJF South American Champion (2011 purple)
• IBJJF Rio International Open (2014 brown)
• IBJJF Floripa International Open Champion (2013/2014 brown)
• CBJJ Brazilian National Championship 2nd Place (2014 brown)
• IBJJF South American Championship 2nd Place (2012/2013 brown)

Favorite Position/Technique: Open Guard

Weight Division: Peso Leve (76kg/167lbs), Peso Pena (70kg/154lbs)

Team/Association: Ns Brotherhood

Rafael Mansur Biography

Rafael Mansur was born on June 21, 1990 in Florianópolis, state of Santa Catarina – Brazil.

Jiu jitsu entered Rafael’s life at the age of 15, more precisely on February 2006, influenced by a friend from school who introduced Mansur to his first instructor, Alexandre Reis. Under Reis’ guidance Mansur progressed through the rank system, all the way to brown belt.

After a series of internal problems at Alexandre’s academy, Rafael made the hard decision of switching camps, then joining Pedro Mello’s team. He continued his sporting success and remained with Pedro for 1.5 years, until coach Mello moved to the United States.

After Mello moved from Santa Catarina, Rafael was met with a chance to follow his dream of being a professional athlete by joining Cicero Costha‘s jiu jitsu program. At the time Mansur had two team mates (Gustavo Batista and Rafael Babilônia) who had been scouted by the famous Projeto Social Lutando Pelo Bem (Fighting for Good Social Project) – also known as PSLPB, making his move to São Paulo a smoother process.

While training at PSLPB, where he stayed from December 2014 to September 2015, Mansur earned his black belt from Pedro Mello with whom he still shared a strong bond. His black belt promotion taking place on June 2015.

After the PSLPB academy split on September 2015, Rafael followed his teammates – particularly Leandro Lo who became Mansur’s head coach – out of the academy and helped establish the New School Brotherhood.

Cover photo by Anderson Almeida.

Rafael Mansur vs Diego Bispo