# Rafael Lovato Jr.

> Black Belt | United States

## Overview

**Name:** Rafael Lovato Jr.

**Belt Rank:** Black Belt

**Nationality:** United States

**Gender:** Male

**Weight:** 99 kg


## Bio

Rafael Lovato was born on the 25th of June of 1983 in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America, though he moved to Oklahoma City when he was 8 years of age. Rafael’s father was an incredible Martial Artist which made young Rafael’s contact with combat sports inevitable. Still has a child Lovato Junior got involved with boxing (his first true love by his own admission) and later with Jeet Kwon Do. When Rafael was 13 he started his tuition in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu through his father who was taking classes in Dallas from Carlos Machado. Lovato senior would travel to the Texan city once a week to have private classes with Machado and then practice what he learned with his son, as he grew, Rafael Junior started joining his father on the trips to Dallas.

When Rafael got to brown belt, he was already considered one of the toughest American competitors in the BJJ scene, and a hot prospect for the future. Lovato’s relationship with  Saulo Ribeiro  started around that time when Rafael was 19 years of age. It was 2003 and Rafael had reached the final of the Arnold Invitational against Saulo Ribeiro, the two fought and at the end of the fight, Saulo invited Rafael to come and train with him in Brazil. Rafael accepted the invitation and later that year he visited Ribeiro. There the relationship between the two turned into a friendship and Lovato saw the potential of having a coach like Saulo beside him.

At the beginning of 2004, Rafael Lovato was invited to help  Marc Laimon  prepare for his fight with  Ryron Gracie . The two spent 3 months as roommates in that training camp, creating a strong friendship that still stands today. After that camp, Rafael received his black belt in Jiu-Jitsu in August 2004, just after his 21st birthday. In 2005 Rafael moved for good to the Ribeiro brothers academy (Saulo and  Alexandre ) and made the most out of the new coaching, reaching the podium of most major tournaments he set foot on. In 2007 he achieved the greatest glory of them all, winning the World Championship.

In 2013 Rafael Lovato Junior won the Brazilian National Championship in the open weight division, being the first non-Brazilian man to win the coveted trophy.

Banner photo was taken by William Burkhardt of  BJJ Pix .

Lovato Jr vs Kayron Gracie
## Specialties

- well rounded.
## Achievements

- 1st Place IBJJF World Championship (2007)
- 1st Place IBJJF World Championship NoGi (2010)
- 1st Place CBJJ Brazilian Nationals (2007 / 2013*)
- 1st Place IBJJF Pan Championship (2007 / 2008)
- 1st Place IBJJF Pan Championship NOGI (2024)
- 1st Place IBJJF European Championship (2007 / 2022)
- 1st Place IBJJF European Championship NOGI (2024)
- 1st Place Pro Sub League Invitational (2006)
- 2nd Place ADCC (2024)
- 1st Place IBJJF World Championship Masters (2017 / 2016** / 2020)
- 2nd Place IBJJF World Championship Masters (2020*)
## Lineage

- Carlos Gracie (Red Belt)
- Hélio Gracie (Red Belt)
- Carlos Gracie Junior (Coral Belt)
- Carlos Machado (Coral Belt)

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**Last Updated:** September 08, 2026

**Data Source:** bjj.space (https://bjj.space/people/rafael-lovato-jr)