Rafael Lovato Jr.

Rafael Lovato Jr. was born on June 25, 1983, in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States. At age 8, he relocated to Oklahoma City, where his martial arts journey began under the influence of his father, an accomplished martial artist himself. Initially drawn to boxing, which he described as his first true passion, Lovato Jr. later explored Jeet Kwon Do before ultimately discovering Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Early Training and Mentorship

Lovato Jr. began his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training at age 13, guided by his father, who was directly learning from Carlos Machado. The father-son duo regularly traveled to Dallas, Texas, for private lessons with Machado, laying a solid technical foundation for Rafael's future success.

Training with the Ribeiro Brothers

At age 19, Lovato Jr. competed against legendary grappler Saulo Ribeiro at the 2003 Arnold Invitational. Impressed by Lovato's technical skill and competitive spirit, Ribeiro invited him to train in Brazil, marking the start of a pivotal mentorship. Rafael earned his black belt in August 2004, shortly after turning 21. In 2005, he permanently relocated to train alongside Saulo and Alexandre Ribeiro at their renowned academy, further refining his tactical approach and competitive mindset.

Throughout his career, Lovato Jr. has consistently achieved historic milestones. In 2007, he captured the prestigious IBJJF World Championship title, solidifying his place among the elite. He made history again in 2013, becoming the first non-Brazilian to win the absolute division at the CBJJ Brazilian Nationals.

Demonstrating remarkable longevity and adaptability, Lovato Jr. experienced a notable late-career resurgence. He placed 4th at the 2022 ADCC World Championship and earned a silver medal in the -99kg division at the 2024 ADCC World Championship. In 2023, he secured an impressive submission victory over rising black belt Elder Cruz at Who's Number One 2023, reaffirming his continued relevance among top-tier competitors.

Beyond grappling, Lovato Jr. excelled in mixed martial arts, becoming a Bellator MMA champion with an undefeated 11-0 record. However, he was sidelined from MMA competition in 2020 due to a rare brain condition known as cavernoma. Medically stable in recent years, Lovato Jr. has expressed openness to one more MMA bout if the right opportunity arises, showcasing the same fighting spirit that propelled him to championship status.

At this stage of his career, Lovato Jr. competes purely out of passion for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, emphasizing reduced pressure regarding his legacy. He attributes his sustained competitive success to this mindset shift, describing his motivation as "pure love" for the art.

Lovato Jr. publicly advocates for an ego-free training environment, emphasizing that "there is no winning or losing in training." In an October 2024 message, he encouraged practitioners to embrace positional sparring, particularly in their weakest positions, as a crucial strategy for continuous improvement and long-term growth.

Based in Oklahoma City, Lovato Jr. serves as the head instructor at Lovato’s School of BJJ & MMA. Affiliated with the Ribeiro brothers' Six Blades, he continues the legacy passed down by his mentor, Saulo Ribeiro.

Lovato Jr. mentors a broad network of students and affiliates, emphasizing strong fundamentals and a well-rounded game. His coaching philosophy centers on learning from setbacks in training and prioritizing consistent, long-term development over short-term outcomes. In March 2025, Lovato Jr. was promoted to 5th-degree black belt, marking another significant milestone in his distinguished teaching and competitive career.