# Chico Mendes ("Chico")

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## Overview

**Name:** Chico Mendes

**Nickname:** Chico


## Bio

A founding pillar of Checkmat’s UK expansion, Chico Mendes earned his black belt in December 2004 under Leonardo Vieira, having started his journey as a teenager at Romero “Jacaré” Cavalcanti’s academy under instructors like Vieira, Jamelão, and Franjinha. After receiving his yellow and blue belts from Cavalcanti and Vieira, he trained under Octavio Couto for his purple and brown belts before reuniting with Vieira in São Paulo. By early 2011 he settled in England, teaching at Trojan Free Fighters before establishing Checkmat’s regional headquarters in Bristol. He competed at the 2010 International Master & Senior.

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**Last Updated:** June 05, 2026

**Data Source:** bjj.space (https://bjj.space/people/chico-mendes)