João Mendes

João Pedro Mendes was born on July 21, 1997, in Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil—a region not traditionally recognized as a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu hub. Initially shy and physically smaller than his peers, João's parents enrolled him in jiu-jitsu classes to help him overcome these social and physical challenges. He began training under Alexandre "Bokão" Nunes, who quickly became a pivotal mentor, guiding João's early technical development and instilling discipline and confidence.

Mendes rapidly showcased his potential, capturing his first Brazilian National title as an orange belt in 2011. Despite training at a smaller academy with limited access to elite-level sparring partners, João consistently excelled at national and international competitions. His colored belt career culminated in three IBJJF World Championship gold medals across juvenile and adult lower belt divisions, alongside four Brazilian National titles. These accomplishments firmly established Mendes as one of the most promising athletes of his generation.

In 2016, João Mendes relocated to San Diego, California, to participate in the IBJJF World Championship training camp at Atos Jiu-Jitsu headquarters. His exceptional work ethic and technical prowess quickly drew the attention of coaches André Galvão and Angélica Galvão, who invited him to join the team permanently. After two years of intensive training and refinement at Atos HQ, Mendes received his black belt from André Galvão on June 8, 2018.

Upon entering the black belt ranks, João Mendes swiftly established himself as a formidable competitor in the featherweight division. Within his first six months at black belt, he amassed an impressive 10-2 record in elite IBJJF tournaments. A standout performance came at the 2019 IBJJF Pan Jiu-Jitsu Championship, where Mendes secured a silver medal, demonstrating his smooth transition to the highest level of competition.

Although primarily recognized for his gi competition skills, Mendes expanded into no-gi events following pandemic-related competition disruptions. He debuted in no-gi at lightweight, one division above his usual featherweight class, showcasing adaptability and technical versatility. While Mendes enjoys competing in no-gi, his primary competitive focus remains gi tournaments, though he plans to compete in the No-Gi World Championships later in the year.

João Mendes is renowned for his meticulous approach to training and competition preparation. Often described as a "student of the game," he diligently analyzes matches of elite black belt champions to refine his own techniques and strategies. Mendes tailors his training specifically to different tournament rulesets and strongly advocates adherence to IBJJF rules and standards, emphasizing precision and tactical awareness.

Throughout his career, Mendes has faced significant financial obstacles, relying heavily on support from family, coaches, and teammates to fund travel and competition expenses. Despite these challenges, he consistently competes internationally, demonstrating remarkable resilience and determination. João attributes his success primarily to relentless work ethic and dedication rather than natural physical attributes, underscoring his perseverance and commitment.

In 2024, João Mendes earned a silver medal at the prestigious 2024 IBJJF The Crown Grand Prix, further solidifying his status among the world's elite featherweights. He has consistently reached podium placements at IBJJF Opens and secured runner-up honors at the 2021 IBJJF American Nationals. Entering the prime years of his competitive career, Mendes remains focused on capturing a major IBJJF World Championship title. With his technical proficiency, international training experience, and unwavering determination, João "Bisnaga" Mendes is widely regarded as one of the top contenders poised to achieve this goal.