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Rafael Lovato Jr.

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Rafael Lovato Jr.
Born (1983-06-25) June 25, 1983 (age 41)
Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
ResidenceOklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S.
Height6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight195 lb (88 kg; 13.9 st)
DivisionMiddleweight
Light Heavyweight
Reach77+1⁄2 in (197 cm)
StyleBrazilian jiu-jitsu
TeamLovato Jiu-Jitsu Association
Rank4th degree black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under Saulo Ribeiro[1]
Years active2014–2019, 2022
Mixed martial arts record
Total11
Wins11
By knockout2
By submission7
By decision2
Losses0
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Medal record
Representing  United States
Submission Grappling
ADCC World Championship
Silver medal – second place 2024 Nevada, USA -99kg
Brazilian jiu-jitsu
World Championship
Gold medal – first place 2007 California, USA +100 kg
Silver medal – second place 2008 California, USA -100 kg
Bronze medal – third place 2009 California, USA -94 kg
Bronze medal – third place 2010 California, USA -94 kg
Bronze medal – third place 2011 California, USA -94 kg
Bronze medal – third place 2012 California, USA -94 kg
Bronze medal – third place 2013 California, USA -100 kg
Bronze medal – third place 2014 California, USA -94 kg
No-Gi World Championship
Gold medal – first place 2010 California, USA -91.5 kg
Gold medal – first place 2011 California, USA -85.5 kg
Silver medal – second place 2012 California, USA -91.5 kg
Gold medal – first place 2013 California, USA +97.5 kg
Pan Championship
Gold medal – first place 2007 California, USA -100 kg
Gold medal – first place 2008 California, USA -94 kg
Bronze medal – third place 2009 California, USA -94 kg
Silver medal – second place 2010 California, USA -94 kg
Bronze medal – third place 2012 California, USA -94 kg
European Championship
Gold medal – first place 2022 Lisbon, Portugal -100 kg
Gold medal – first place 2007 Lisbon, Portugal -100 kg
Abu Dhabi Championship
Gold medal – first place 2011 Abu Dhabi, UAE -92kg
Brazilian National Jiu-Jitsu Championship
Gold medal – first place 2007 São Paulo, Brazil -100 kg
Bronze medal – third place 2010 São Paulo, Brazil -100 kg
Silver medal – second place 2010 São Paulo, Brazil Absolute
Bronze medal – third place 2013 São Paulo, Brazil -100 kg
Gold medal – first place 2013 São Paulo, Brazil Absolute

Rafael Lovato Jr. (born June 25, 1983) is an American retired mixed martial artist and former Brazilian jiu-jitsu competitor. At the time of his original retirement, he was the Bellator MMA Middleweight World Champion and was ranked the no. 4 middleweight fighter in the world.[2]

He was the first non-Brazilian to win Brasileiros at black belt. In 2007, he was the first person to win the black belt "Grand Slam" of all major Brazilian jiu-jitsu competitions in a single year: Pan Championship, European Championship, Brasileiro, and World Championship.

Early life

[edit]

Lovato was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, but his family moved to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, when he was eight years old. The son of a Jeet Kune Do instructor, Lovato studied a variety of martial arts in his youth and competed in amateur boxing before discovering Brazilian jiu-jitsu at age 13.[3] He is of Spanish and Italian descent.[4]

Brazilian jiu-jitsu career

[edit]

Lovato was the second American, after B.J. Penn, to win the World Jiu Jitsu Championship as a black belt.[5]

Lovato is a black belt under Carlos Machado, the oldest of the Machado family.[6] Rafael has had a long and formative training history with Xande and Saulo Ribeiro, one which began after he competed against Saulo in the finals of the 2003 Arnold Classic, when Rafael was just 19 years old.[7]

Lovato currently manages his own academy in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.[8]

Return to grappling

[edit]

After retiring from MMA due to medical issues, Lovato Jr. made a return to competing in BJJ, starting out by unsuccessfully challenging Aaron 'Tex' Johnson for the Fight 2 Win Light-Heavyweight Masters Championship at F2W 151 on September 11, 2020.[9] Lovato Jr. competed again shortly after at BJJ Stars 4 on November 14, 2020, where he was submitted with a crucifix choke by Dimitrious Souza.[10] He also competed at the IBJJF Masters World Championships 2020, claiming silver in the absolute division after a close final match with Gregor Gracie.[11]

2021

[edit]

He returned to Fight 2 Win for F2W 166 on March 13, 2021, to compete against Gabriel Almeida in the main event, submitting him with a kimura.[12] On April 30, 2021, Lovato Jr. headlined a Who's Number One event against Gilbert Burns, losing the match by unanimous decision.[13] Lovato Jr. returned to headline another Fight 2 Win event at F2W 177 on July 16, 2021, where he defeated Alexandro Ceconi by unanimous decision to win the promotion's Light-Heavyweight no gi title.[14]

He defended his light-heavyweight no gi title at F2W 180 on August 6, 2021, defeating Gabriel Arges by unanimous decision.[15] He then competed at Raw Grappling 1 on November 14, 2021, against Adam Wardzinski, defeating him by penalty points.[16] In his final matches of 2021, Lovato Jr. represented Team LFA at UFC FightPass Invitational 1. Team LFA won the tournament, with Lovato Jr. submitting Mike Wilcox with a rear-naked choke and registering two draws against Jonathan Piersma and Travis Tooke.[17]

2022

[edit]

Lovato Jr. had also verbally agreed to compete against the reigning ADCC World Champion Gordon Ryan at some point in 2021.[18] After the match did not come to fruition, Lovato Jr won the 2022 IBJJF European Open[19] and competed in that year's world championships, retiring from IBJJF competition on the mats after his final match.[20] He competed at the ADCC World Championships in 2022 and finished fourth in the under 99 kg division, announcing his retirement from that competition at the same time.[21]

2023

[edit]

Lovato Jr. was booked to compete in the co-main event of Who's Number One 18 on May 18, 2023, against Elder Cruz.[22] Lovato Jr won the match, submitting Cruz with a rear-naked choke.[23]

Lovato Jr. competed at the IBJJF Master World Championship on September 2, 2023, where he won the master 1 super-heavyweight division.[24]

Lovato Jr. was then invited to challenge Pedro Marinho for the WNO light-heavyweight title at Who's Number One 20: Night of Champions on October 1, 2023.[25] Marinho withdrew from the match due to injury and was replaced by Ricardo Evangelista, with the match being changed to a non-title bout. Lovato Jr. won the match by submission.[26]

The match between Lovato Jr. and Pedro Marinho for the WNO light-heavyweight title was then rescheduled for Who's Number One 21: Ryan v Barbosa on November 30, 2023.[27] After Gordon Ryan withdrew from the event, Lovato Jr. vs Pedro Marinho was promoted to the main event. Lovato Jr. lost the match by judge's decision.[28]

2024

[edit]

Lovato Jr. competed against Craig Jones in the main event of UFC Fight Pass Invitational 6 on March 3, 2024.[29] He lost the match by submission.[30]

Lovato Jr. faced Felipe Pena in a heavyweight match at Who's Number One 23: Meregali vs Rocha on May 10, 2024.[31] He lost the match by decision.[32]

Lovato Jr. was invited to compete in the under 99kg division at the 2024 ADCC World Championship.[33] He defeated Elioenai Braz on points, submitted Patrick Gaudio, and beat Michael Pixley by decision before being submitted by Kaynan Duarte in the final and winning a silver medal.[34] He then won the super-heavyweight division of the IBJJF No Gi European Championship on October 20, 2024.[35] Lovato Jr. then won a gold medal in the super-heavyweight division of the IBJJF no gi Pan Championship 2024 on November 3, 2024.[36]

Mixed martial arts career

[edit]

Legacy Fighting Alliance

[edit]

Lovato made his professional MMA debut on September 26, 2014, at LFA 35, against Canaan Grigsby.[37] He won the fight by an arm-triangle choke at the end of the first round.[38] His next fight came at LFA 46, against the future UFC middleweight contender Kevin Holland. Lovato Jr. won the fight by a rear naked choke, 84 seconds into the first round.[39]

After these two victories, Lovato Jr. was scheduled to fight Marcelo Nunes at LFA 54, for the Middleweight title.[40] Lovato Jr. won the fight by TKO near the end of the second round.[41] He was scheduled to make his first title defense against Cortez Coleman at LFA 62.[42] He submitted Coleman with an armbar in the last minute of the third round.[43]

Bellator MMA

[edit]

In March 2017, Lovato made his debut for Bellator MMA. He faced Charles Hackmann at Bellator 174 and won the fight via TKO just 13 seconds into the first round.[44]

In his second Bellator bout, Lovato faced Mike Rhodes at Bellator 181 on July 14, 2017.[45] Rafael Lovato Jr. won the fight via submission in the first round.[46]

Lovato faced Chris Honeycutt at Bellator 189 on December 1, 2017[47] and Rafael Lovato Jr. won the fight by unanimous decision.[48]

Lovato was expected to face John Salter at Bellator 198 on April 28, 2018. John Salter was later pulled from the event by the Illinois Athletic Commission due to an eye issue on April 24 and replaced by Gerald Harris.[49] Rafael Lovato Jr. won the fight via armbar submission in the first round.[50]

Lovato faced John Salter on September 21, 2018, at Bellator 205.[51] Rafael Lovato Jr. won the fight via a submission.[52]

Bellator Middleweight World Champion

[edit]

Lovato was scheduled to face Gegard Mousasi for the Bellator Middleweight World Championship. This bout was expected to serve as the co-headliner of Bellator 214.[53] On December 20, 2018, it was reported that Mousasi pulled from the fight, citing a back injury and Lovato was pulled from the card.[54] The bout against Mousasi was rescheduled to June 22, 2019, in London, England, at Bellator 223.[55] Lovato defeated Mousasi by majority decision.[56]

On January 29, 2020, while appearing on the Joe Rogan Experience, Lovato revealed that he was diagnosed with a brain condition called cerebral cavernoma, a condition where a group of abnormal blood vessels are formed, usually found in the brain and spinal cord, and can make one even more susceptible to brain damage than usual. Lovato stated that the condition was nearly a reason for him to be pulled from his title bout with Gegard Mousasi, but he was ultimately given clearance. However, after further review on the potential risks of the condition weeks following the bout against Mousasi, commissions in Europe have stated they will not give Lovato clearance to fight in Europe any longer. Per the advice of his doctors, Lovato then said for the time being his MMA career is on hold, though he did not announce retirement and remained hopeful he would fight again in the future.[57] On February 10, 2020, it was announced that Lovato had relinquished the Bellator Middleweight title.[58]

Post-Bellator

[edit]

Lovato Jr. went on record to state his desire to return to professional MMA for at least one more fight, and ideally in 2021.[59] However, his wish would eventually materialize later, as Lovato made his return to MMA on December 28, 2022, at Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye x Ganryujima against undefeated Taiga Iwasaki.[60] He won the bout in the first round, submitting, Iwasaki with a kimura.[61] After the fight, Lovato Jr stopped short of announcing his retirement from MMA and announced that he was open to the possibility of more fights in the future.[62]

As of March 2023, Lovato Jr. still remained indefinitely suspended by athletic commissions in both United States and Europe.[63]

Personal life

[edit]

Lovato Jr. and his wife have twins.[63]

Championships and accomplishments

[edit]

Mixed martial arts

[edit]

Mixed martial arts record

[edit]
Professional record breakdown
11 matches 11 wins 0 losses
By knockout 2 0
By submission 7 0
By decision 2 0
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 11–0 Taiga Iwasaki Submission (kimura) Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye x Ganryujima December 28, 2022 1 2:10 Sumida, Tokyo, Japan Catchweight (195 lb) bout.
Win 10–0 Gegard Mousasi Decision (majority) Bellator 223 June 22, 2019 5 5:00 London, England Won the Bellator Middleweight World Championship. Later relinquished the championship due to a cerebral cavernoma diagnosis.
Win 9–0 John Salter Submission (rear-naked choke) Bellator 205 September 21, 2018 3 4:27 Boise, Idaho, United States
Win 8–0 Gerald Harris Submission (armbar) Bellator 198 April 28, 2018 1 1:11 Rosemont, Illinois, United States Catchweight bout (188 lbs).
Win 7–0 Chris Honeycutt Decision (unanimous) Bellator 189 December 1, 2017 3 5:00 Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States
Win 6–0 Mike Rhodes Submission (rear-naked choke) Bellator 181 July 14, 2017 1 1:59 Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States
Win 5–0 Charles Hackmann TKO (knees and punches) Bellator 174 March 3, 2017 1 0:13 Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States Catchweight bout (195 lbs).
Win 4–0 Cortez Coleman Submission (armbar) Legacy Fighting Championship 62 November 11, 2016 3 4:04 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States Defended the Legacy FC Middleweight Championship.
Win 3–0 Marcelo Nunes TKO (punches) Legacy Fighting Championship 54 April 22, 2016 2 4:51 Catoosa, Oklahoma, United States Won the Legacy FC Middleweight Championship.
Win 2–0 Kevin Holland Submission (rear naked choke) Legacy Fighting Championship 46 October 2, 2015 1 1:24 Allen, Texas, United States
Win 1–0 Canaan Grigsby Submission (arm-triangle choke) Legacy Fighting Championship 35 September 26, 2014 1 4:07 Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States

[64]

See also

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[edit]

Professional MMA record for Rafael Lovato Jr. from Sherdog

References

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  1. ^ "Certified Black Belts". ibjjf.com. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
  2. ^ "Middleweight World Rankings". fightmatrix.com. Retrieved September 29, 2019.
  3. ^ Connel, Reid (11 August 2016). "10 Things You Didn't Know About Rafael Lovato Jr". flograppling.com. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
  4. ^ Rafael Lovato Jr Talks Why BJJ Background Makes Better Mature MMA Competitors bjjee.com (July 8, 2017)
  5. ^ Thapa, Ben (October 26, 2011). "Grappler Interviews: Rafael Lovato Jr". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved February 12, 2013.
  6. ^ "Rafael Lovato Jr". BJJ Heroes BJJ Fighter Database. March 26, 2015. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
  7. ^ "Rafael Lovato Jr (Gracie Humaita)". BJJ Heroes. August 1, 2010. Retrieved February 12, 2013.
  8. ^ "Rafael Lovato Jr. - Gi & No-Gi Black Belt World Champion". Retrieved February 12, 2013.
  9. ^ "Fight 2 Win 151 Full Results and Review". 12 September 2020.
  10. ^ "BJJ Stars 4 Full Results And Review". jitsmagazine.com. 16 November 2020. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
  11. ^ Rollo, Ian (18 December 2020). "Gregor Gracie Defeats Rafael Lovato Jr To Become Absolute Champion At Masters World Championships". jitsmagazine.com. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
  12. ^ "Fight 2 Win 166 Full Results and Review". 15 March 2021.
  13. ^ "Who's Number One: Rafael Lovato Jr v Gilbert Burns Full Results and Review". May 2021.
  14. ^ "Fight 2 Win 177 Full Results and Review". 17 July 2021.
  15. ^ "Fight 2 Win 180 Full Results and Review". 8 August 2021.
  16. ^ "Raw Grappling 1 Full Results and Review". 16 November 2021.
  17. ^ "UFC Fight Pass Invitational 1 Full Results and Review". 18 December 2021.
  18. ^ Rogers, Kian (30 December 2020). "Gordon Ryan And Rafael Lovato Jr Agree To Fight". jitsmagazine.com. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
  19. ^ "IBJJF European Championships 2022 Full Results and Review". 21 February 2022.
  20. ^ "Xande Ribeiro and Rafael Lovato Jr Retire from World Championships". 8 June 2022.
  21. ^ "ADCC 2022 Live Results, Play-by-play, Analysis, Highlights, More". 18 September 2022.
  22. ^ Lindsey, Alex (27 April 2023). "Who's Number One 18: Nicholas Meregali v Pedro Marinho Full Card Confirmed". JitsMagazine. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  23. ^ "Who's Number One 18: Nicholas Meregali v Pedro Marinho Full Results And Review". JitsMagazine. 19 May 2023. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
  24. ^ "BJJ Legends Star In IBJJF Master World Championship 2023". Jitsmagazine. 3 September 2023.
  25. ^ Rogers, Kian (31 August 2023). "Pedro Marinho To Defend WNO Title Against Rafael Lovato Jr". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
  26. ^ "Who's Number One 20: Night Of Champions Full Results And Review". Jitsmagazine. 2 October 2023. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  27. ^ Blackett, Todd (13 October 2023). "Pedro Marinho v Rafael Lovato Jr Title-Fight Rebooked For Who's Number One 21". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
  28. ^ "Who's Number One 21: Marinho vs Lovato Jr Full Results And Review". Jitsmagazine. December 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  29. ^ de Souza, Diogo (4 February 2024). "B-Team Jiu-Jitsu Star In Main And Co-Main Event Of UFC Fight Pass Invitational 6". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  30. ^ "UFC Fight Pass Invitational 6 Full Results And Review". Jitsmagazine. 4 March 2024. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
  31. ^ "Who's Number One 23: Nicholas Meregali vs Vagner Rocha Full Preview". Jitsmagazine. 5 May 2024. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  32. ^ "Who's Number One 23: Nicholas Meregali vs Vagner Rocha Full Results And Review". Jitsmagazine. 11 May 2024. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  33. ^ "Full Updated Competitor List Of Every Athlete Invited To ADCC 2024". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  34. ^ "ADCC 2024 Live Results, Play-by-play, Analysis, Highlights, More". Jitsmagazine. 18 August 2024. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
  35. ^ "IBJJF No Gi European Championship 2024 Full Results And Highlights". Jits Magazine. 21 October 2024. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
  36. ^ "IBJJF No Gi Pan Championship 2024 Full Results And Highlights". Jits Magazine. 4 November 2024. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
  37. ^ "Rafael Lovato Jr To Debut In MMA On September 6th @Legacy FC 35". bjjee.com. 30 July 2014. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
  38. ^ Faler, Matt. "Legacy FC 35 Results: Leite Stops Dennis, Claims Belt". combatpress.com. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
  39. ^ Tsui, Jerry. "Full Match: Rafael Lovato Jr. vs Kevin Holland from Legacy FC 46". jiujitsutimes.com. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
  40. ^ MMA Junkie Staff (23 February 2016). "Middleweight belt on line for Marcelo Nunes vs. Rafael Lovato Jr. at Legacy FC 54". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
  41. ^ Sloan, Mike. "Rafael Lovato Jr. TKOs Marcelo Nunes to Claim Vacant Legacy Middleweight Title". sherdog.com. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
  42. ^ Zahar, Chris. "Rafael Lovato Jr. Vs Cortez Coleman Slated For Legacy FC 62". jiujitsutimes.com. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
  43. ^ Sloan, Mike. "Rafael Lovato Jr. Submits Cortez Coleman to Retain Legacy Fighting Championship Title". sherdog.com. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
  44. ^ McCracken, David. "Bellator 174 Results: Winners, Scorecards from Coenen vs. Budd Card". bleacherreport.com. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
  45. ^ MMA Junkie Staff (9 June 2017). "Rafael Lovato Jr. meets Mike Rhodes at Bellator 181 in second promotional fight". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
  46. ^ John Morgan (July 14, 2017). "Bellator 181 results: Derek Campos scores trilogy win over Brandon Girtz in blood-soaked instant classic". mmajunkie.com.
  47. ^ Staff (October 6, 2017). "Featherweight champ Julia Budd headlines Bellator 189 in rematch with Arlene Blencowe". mmajunkie.com.
  48. ^ Palmer, Mark. "Honeycutt loses unanimous decision to Lovato Jr. at Bellator 189". intermatwrestle.com. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
  49. ^ Steve Juon (April 25, 2018). "Bellator 198 fight card shakeup: Gerald Harris vs Rafael Lovato Jr. booked with John Salter scratched". mmamania.com.
  50. ^ "Bellator 198 results: Rafael Lovato Jr. makes easy work of Gerald Harris". MMAjunkie. 2018-04-29. Retrieved 2018-04-29.
  51. ^ "John Salter ready for both he and Rafael Lovato Jr. to be 'carried out of the cage' at Bellator 205". MMAjunkie. 2018-09-18. Retrieved 2018-09-22.
  52. ^ "Bellator 205 results: Rafael Lovato Jr. stays perfect, taps out gritty John Salter". MMAjunkie. 2018-09-22. Retrieved 2018-09-22.
  53. ^ "Gegard Mousasi vs Rafael Lovato Jr. booked for Bellator 214". MMAFighting.com. November 19, 2018.
  54. ^ "Gegard Mousasi injured, out of Bellator 214 title fight with Rafael Lovato Jr". www.mmafighting.com. 20 December 2018. Retrieved 2018-12-21.
  55. ^ "Mousasi vs. Lovato Jr. title fight set for Bellator London in June; Daley, Gallagher to compete". mmajunkie.com. March 29, 2019.
  56. ^ "Bellator London live and official results". mmajunkie.com. June 22, 2019.
  57. ^ "Bellator champ Rafael Lovato Jr. reveals he's 'indefinitely on the sidelines' with brain condition". MMAJunkie.com. January 29, 2020.
  58. ^ "Rafael Lovato Jr. relinquishes Bellator middleweight title due to ongoing medical condition". MMAFighting.com. February 10, 2020.
  59. ^ Rogers, Kian (9 January 2021). "Rafael Lovato Jr Wants To Return To MMA Despite Brain Condition". jitsmagazine.com. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
  60. ^ "【INOKI BOM-BA-YE×巌流島】元Bellator王者ラファエル・ロバトJrの対戦相手はMMA8戦無敗の岩﨑大河に決定「満足度100％」（谷川P）". ゴング格闘技 - GONKAKU. Retrieved 2022-12-11.
  61. ^ 格闘技情報を毎日配信！, eFight 【イーファイト】 (28 December 2022). "【INOKI BOM-BA-YE×巌流島】元ベラトール王者ロバトが圧巻の一本勝ち！"空道"岩﨑大河をアームロック葬". eFight【イーファイト】格闘技情報を毎日配信！ (in Japanese). Retrieved 2022-12-28.
  62. ^ "Rafael Lovato Jr Might be Continuing MMA Comeback". 6 January 2023.
  63. ^ a b Guilherme Cruz (March 9, 2023). "Rafael Lovato Jr. feels complete after MMA return, but open to more: 'RIZIN, you can still give me a call'". mmafighting.com.
  64. ^ Sherdog.com. "Rafael Lovato Jr. MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, Biography – Sherdog.com". Sherdog. Retrieved 2018-12-21.
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