# João Mendes ("Bisnaga")

> Brazil

## Overview

**Name:** João Mendes

**Nickname:** Bisnaga

**Nationality:** Brazil

**Date of Birth:** July 21, 1997 (age 29)


## Bio

A late bloomer from the Paraná outskirts who turned a shy, undersized childhood into a relentless competitive engine, João Mendes ("Bisnaga") emerged from a small gym under Alexandre Nunes (Bokão) to earn his black belt from André Galvão in 2018 after a training camp stint at Atos HQ in San Diego. His first major breakthrough came as an orange belt junior, winning the Brazilian National title in 2011, a podium habit he carried through the ranks. Bisnaga’s game reflects the Atos pressure-passing and guard-retention system, but his rise from a remote, non-traditional jiu-jitsu region marks him as a testament to work rate over birthplace.

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**Last Updated:** October 01, 2026

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