Augusto Mendes (born March 3, 1983) is a Brazilian former professional

mixed martial artist Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a full-contact fighting sport based on striking and grappling; incorporating techniques from various combat sports from around the world. In the early 20th century, various inter-stylistic contests took place t ...

and Brazilian jiu jitsu practitioner. He was signed to the

Absolute Championship Berkut Absolute Championship Akhmat (ACA), formerly known as Absolute Championship Berkut (ACB), is a Chechen mixed martial arts, kickboxing and Brazilian jiu-jitsu organization and one of the leading promotions in Europe. To date, most events have been ...

. He was the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation Black Belt World ( IBJJF World) 70 kg champion (2013), International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation World Nogi ( IBJJF World No-Gi) 73.5 kg champion in 2012 and 2015 and UAEJJF Abu Dhabi World Pro Champion in 2011 and 2013.

Background

Mendes was born in

Rio de Janeiro Rio de Janeiro, or simply Rio, is the capital of the Rio de Janeiro (state), state of Rio de Janeiro. It is the List of cities in Brazil by population, second-most-populous city in Brazil (after São Paulo) and the Largest cities in the America ...

, Brazil. He started training Brazilian jiu jitsu (BJJ) in 1997 in Kioto gym in

Tijuca Tijuca () (meaning marsh or swamp in the Tupi language, from ''ty'' ("water") and ''îuk'' ("rotten")) is a neighbourhood of the Rio de Janeiro#North Zone, Northern Zone of the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It comprises the region of Saens P ...

when he was introduced by his brother, Bruno Tank who was a BJJ protectionist. He trained under Alvaro and Krauss Monsor who was the student of 9th degree black belt master Francisco Mansor. At fourteen, training three times a day, he competed four months later, winning a bronze medal in the Rio State Championships and in the same year he took home the silver medal in the Brazilian Championship. He started teaching BJJ two years later and continue to win many regional, international and world medals, notably IBJJF World 70 kg champion in 2013, IBJJF World No-Gi 73.5 kg champion in 2012 and 2015 and UAEJJF Abu Dhabi World Pro Champion (in 2011 and 2013. Medes and his brother Bruno Mendes open their BJJ gym, Renovacao BJJ, in 2005 and started transitioned to MMA training. Two years later, together with Rafael Barbosa, Leandro Escobar and his brother Bruno Mendes they founded Soul Fighters gym in 2008.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Mendes started his professional mixed martial arts career in April 2014 after just one win in an amateur fight. He went to secure a 5 fight winning streak and was signed by UFC one year later in 2015.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Mendes made his debut with 5 day short notice, replacing injured

John Lineker John Lineker (born June 12, 1990) is a Brazilian Muay Thai kickboxer and mixed martial artist currently signed to ONE Championship, where he is the former ONE Bantamweight MMA World Champion. Lineker formerly competed in the bantamweight divisio ...

, at UFC on February 21, 2016, at UFC Fight Night: Cowboy vs. Cowboy against

Cody Garbrandt Cody Ray Allen Garbrandt (born July 7, 1991) is an American professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he is a former UFC Bantamweight Champion. Backg ...

. he was knocked out and lost the fight in round one. Mendes's second fight in UFC was set one year later on January 15, 2017, after an ACL surgery, at UFC Fight Night: Rodríguez vs. Penn against

Frankie Saenz Frankie Ozuna Saenz III (born August 12, 1980) is an American mixed martial artist who competed in the bantamweight division. A professional since 2009, he made a name for himself fighting mostly in his native state , where he was King of the Cag ...

. He won the fight via split decision with the scoreboard of (28-29, 29–28, 29–28). This win earned him Fight of the Night award. On April 15, 2017, Mendes face

Aljamain Sterling Aljamain Antoine Sterling (born July 31, 1989) is an American professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Featherweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he is a former UFC Bantamweight Champion. S ...

at UFC on Fox: Johnson vs Reis. After three rounds fight, he lost the fight via unanimous decision. Mendes was expected to face Boston Salmon on October 28, 2017, at UFC Fight Night: Brunson vs. Machida. However, Mendes pulled out of the fight on October 3, citing leg injury. He was replaced a week later by promotional newcomer

Raoni Barcelos Raoni Mendonca Barcelos (born May 1, 1987) is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist, former amateur wrestler and grappler. He currently competes in the Bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Prior to signing w ...

. Mendes was expected to face

Merab Dvalishvili Merab Dvalishvili ( ka, მერაბ დვალიშვილი ; born January 10, 1991) is a Georgian and American professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championsh ...

on April 21, 2018, at

UFC Fight Night 128 ''UFC Fight Night: Barboza vs. Lee'' (also known as ''UFC Fight Night 128'') was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that was held on April 21, 2018, at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Background ...

. However, he was pulled from the fight after he was notified of a potential

USADA The United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA, ) is a non-profit, non-governmental 501(c)(3) organization and the national anti-doping organization (NADO) for the United States. To protect clean competition and the integrity of sport and prevent ...

violation. On June 8, 2018, it was reported that Mendes who had one fight with UFC, was granted release after USADA suspension, and joined

(ACB).

Post-UFC career

In his promotional debut Mendes faced Ivan Zhirkov at ACA 96: Goncharov vs. Johnson on June 8, 2019. He lost the fight via split decision.

Jiu Jitsu career

Mendes competed in

6: Jiu Jitsu no-gi (145 Ibs) grand prix tournament on July 16, 2017, in

Moscow Moscow is the Capital city, capital and List of cities and towns in Russia by population, largest city of Russia, standing on the Moskva (river), Moskva River in Central Russia. It has a population estimated at over 13 million residents with ...

.Competitors in the division included

Paulo Miyao Paulo Henrique Bordignon Miyao (born May 11, 1991) is a Brazilian people, Brazilian Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, BJJ black belt with a notable competitive record. He and his brother João Miyao have a competitive rivalry with ...

Leo Vieira Leo is the Latin word for lion. It most often refers to: * Leo (constellation), a constellation of stars in the night sky * Leo (astrology), an astrological sign of the zodiac * Leo (given name), a given name in several languages, usually masc ...

, Isaque Paiva, Osvaldo Moizinho, Kim Terra, Gabriel Marangoni and Rafael Mansur. He defeated Rafael Mansur on quarterfinal and lost to Paulo Miyao in the semi-final. Mendes competed in

9: Jiu Jitsu no-gi 60 kg Grand Prix tournament on December 9, 2017, in

. He won the tournament after submitted Milton Bastos via a

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under twenty seconds in the quarterfinal round and he proceeded to semifinal round where he won the fight against Joao Miyao, a world champion. He took on Samir Chantre at the final and won via a guillotine in the fifth round.

Personal life

Mendes's moniker "Tanquinho" means "Little Tank" in Portuguese which was coined after his older brother, Bruno Mendes' moniker "Tank". Prior relocating to United States, Mendes taught BJJ at Tijuca Tenis Club as the head instructor. Mendes is a certified referee by Confederação Brasileira de Jiu-Jitsu (CBJJ). Mendes earned a degree in physical education at the University Estacio de Sá Mendes has opened and operates a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Gym in Tempe, Arizona called the AT Academy.

Championships and achievements

Mixed martial arts

Ultimate Fighting Championship The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is an American mixed martial arts (MMA) promoter (entertainment), promotion company based in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is owned and operated by TKO Group Holdings, a majority owned subsidiary of Endeavor ( ...

** Fight of the Night (One time) vs.

Jiu Jitsu

** IBJJF World Champion (2013) ** IBJJF World No-Gi Champion (2012 and 2015) ** UAEJJF Abu Dhabi World Pro Champion (2011 and 2013) ** CBJJ/IBJJF South American Champion (2010) ** UAEJJF Abu Dhabi World Pro Champion (2011 and 2013) ** CBJJ/IBJJF South American Champion (2010) ** USBJJF/IBJJF American National Champion (2012) ** CBJJ Brazilian National Teams Champion (2008, 2009 and 2010) ** Copa Podio “Couples Challenge” Superfight Winner (2013) ** World Expo Superfight Winner (2014) ** FJJR Rio State Champion (2008–2010) ** IBJJF Rio International Open Champion (2009 and 2010) ** IBJJF Las Vegas International Open Champion (2012) ** IBJJF European Open Runner-up (2013) ** IBJJF New York International Open Runner-up (2010) ** IBJJF Pan American Championship 3rd Place (2009, 2011 and 2013) ** CBJJ Brazilian National Championship 3rd Place (2005, 2008, 2010 and 2011) *No-Gi Absolute Championship Berkut Jiu Jitsu ** 2017 No Gi Absolute Championship Berkut Jiu Jitsu 60 kg champion

ADCC

Male 66 kg ADCC 2019 Champion (2019)

Mixed martial arts record

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Grappling record

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Mendes, Augusto Living people 1983 births Brazilian male mixed martial artists Bantamweight mixed martial artists Mixed martial artists utilizing Brazilian jiu-jitsu Martial artists from Rio de Janeiro (city) Doping cases in mixed martial arts Brazilian practitioners of Brazilian jiu-jitsu People awarded a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu Ultimate Fighting Championship male fighters World No-Gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Championship medalists 21st-century Brazilian sportsmen