Professor Mendes started practicing BJJ in the early 1990’s in Rio de Janiero, Brazil. He received his black belt in 2004 and is currently a 5th degree black belt and certified instructor under the IBJJF (International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation)
Professor Mendes has been teaching BJJ since he was a blue belt in the mid-nineties and is a decorated competitor on the Local, National, and International BJJ scene.
He is also a certified IBJJF/USBJJF referee and has refereed for competitions nationally & internationally since 2004.