Rodrigo Lopes | BJJ Heroes

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Rodrigo Lopes “Tatu”

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Rodrigo Lopes Martins, also known as Rodrigo “Tatu”, is a jiu-jitsu black belt under Leandro Escobar (also named Tatu) and a representative of the Double Five Academy in the sport’s international circuit. Rodrigo Lopes gained worldwide notoriety after winning double silver (gi and no-gi) at the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) American National Championships in 2020.

Rodrigo Lopes Jiu-Jitsu

Full Name: Rodrigo Lopes Martins

Nickname: Commonly known today as “Tatu” (the Portuguese word for armadillo), Rodrigo was mostly known as “Tatuzinho” (little Tatu in Portuguese) while growing up, a name that derived from his older brother Leandro “Tatu” Escobar, who was a well-known jiu-jitsu figure already, when Rodrigo began his grappling tuition. As time passed and Leandro stopped competing in the adult division, Lopes decided to take over the family tradition and represent his brother’s brand by adopting the Tatu name.

Lineage: Carlos Gracie > Helio Gracie >Carlson Gracie > Ricardo LibórioAndré Almeida > Leandro Escobar > Rodrigo Lopes

Main Achievements:

  • 2nd Place IBJJF American Nationals (2020)
  • 2nd Place IBJJF American Nationals NOGI (2020)
  • 3rd Place IBJJF World Championship NOGI (2021)

Favorite Position/Technique: Open Guard

Weight Division: Meio Pesado (88,30 kg / 195.0 lbs)

Team/Association: Double Five

Rodrigo Lopes “Tatu” Biography

Rodrigo Lopes was born on December 19, 1994, growing up in the Tijuca neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Martial arts appeared in Rodrigo’s life during primary school as part of Lopes’ curriculum, a period when all students were required to practice one combat sport. Lopes opted to choose judo. Because his older brother, Leandro Escobar was an avid jiu-jitsu athlete at the time, Rodrigo soon added BJJ to his list of sporting activities, starting around the age of 8 or 9.

His life in jiu-jitsu began at the famous Tijuca Tenis Clube sports complex where Lopes had in Augusto “Tanquinho” Mendes his first instructor. Although Mendes taught Rodrigo early on, the young boy’s promotions were done by his brother, who was a good friend of Tanquinho. As Rodrigo grew older, he started training with his brother, Leandro, regularly and gradually gained a more serious interest in the sport, particularly during his mid-to-late teens.

Although invested in the sport, Rodrigo did not often compete as a blue and purple belt. Instead, Lopes valued the party life too much to compete regularly. The love for the quiet life arrived later, as a brown belt, a time when he decided to settle and marry. The decision paved the way for Lopes to kickstart a more serious focus on the competitive scene.

On June 23, 2019, Rodrigo Lopes was promoted to black belt by his brother, Leandro Escobar. Soon after the promotion, Rodrigo was invited by Rafael Formiga to come and teach at the Double Five gym in Texas, USA, an opportunity seized by the young Brazilian.

Rodrigo Tatu Grappling Record

32 WINS
  • BY POINTS
    17 (53%)
  • BY ADVANTAGES
    3 (9%)
  • BY SUBMISSION
    10 (31%)
  • BY DECISION
    2 (6%)
  • BY PENALTIES
    0 (0%)
  • BY DQ
    0 (0%)

10 SUBMISSIONS WINS

#214eb8
Katagatame
20
2
#86e620
Straight ankle lock
20
2
#5AD3D1
Choke from back
10
1
#d1212a
Armbar
10
1
#fad11b
Verbal tap
10
1
#f58822
Inside heel hook
10
1
#224aba
Footlock
10
1
#ff9124
Submission
10
1
10
(100%) SUBMISSIONS
  • 2 (20%)
    Katagatame
  • 2 (20%)
    Straight ankle lock
  • 1 (10%)
    Choke from back
  • 1 (10%)
    Armbar
  • 1 (10%)
    Verbal tap
  • 1 (10%)
    Inside heel hook
  • 1 (10%)
    Footlock
  • 1 (10%)
    Submission
45 LOSSES
  • BY POINTS
    12 (27%)
  • BY ADVANTAGES
    3 (7%)
  • BY SUBMISSION
    28 (62%)
  • BY DECISION
    1 (2%)
  • BY PENALTIES
    0 (0%)
  • BY DQ
    1 (2%)

28 SUBMISSIONS LOSSES

#214eb8
Armbar
18
5
#86e620
Inside heel hook
14
4
#5AD3D1
Kneebar
14
4
#d1212a
Choke from back
7
2
#fad11b
Cross choke
4
1
#f58822
Outside heel hook
4
1
#224aba
Footlock
4
1
#ff9124
Mounted X choke
4
1
#bf1f6c
RNC
4
1
#22c9a5
Choke
4
1
#fad223
50/50 armbar
4
1
#03861f
Short choke
4
1
#039a1f
Anaconda choke
4
1
#03b41f
Toe hold
4
1
#03c61f
Botinha
4
1
#03d61f
Triangle
4
1
#03f61f
Ezekiel
4
1
28
(100%) SUBMISSIONS
  • 5 (18%)
    Armbar
  • 4 (14%)
    Inside heel hook
  • 4 (14%)
    Kneebar
  • 2 (7%)
    Choke from back
  • 1 (4%)
    Cross choke
  • 1 (4%)
    Outside heel hook
  • 1 (4%)
    Footlock
  • 1 (4%)
    Mounted X choke
  • 1 (4%)
    RNC
  • 1 (4%)
    Choke
  • 1 (4%)
    50/50 armbar
  • 1 (4%)
    Short choke
  • 1 (4%)
    Anaconda choke
  • 1 (4%)
    Toe hold
  • 1 (4%)
    Botinha
  • 1 (4%)
    Triangle
  • 1 (4%)
    Ezekiel

Rodrigo Tatu Fight History

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