News and Information

New Rafael Lovato Jr. Podcast!

Mon, 21 May 2012 13:51:00 GMT

Check out the new Podcast Interview of Rafael Lovato Jr. by Open Mat Radio! This interview took place the night of the World Jiu-Jitsu Expo after Rafael defeated Lucas Leite.

Rafael Lovato Jr. Completes Filming of First Instructional Series Set to Release this Summer!

Fri, 18 May 2012 16:38:00 GMT

America's most accomplished and most experienced BJJ Black Belt, Rafael Lovato Jr., just wrapped up filming his first instructional series set to release this summer! The Ultimate Pressure Guard Passing System will help you take your passing to the next level and not just pass, bust smash and smother the person on bottom and transition straight to the submission! The anticipation of an instructional series taught by Rafael Lovato Jr. has been building up for a long time and now this will be the first of many. Get ready!

As an added bonus to the Ultimate Pressure Guard Passing System, you will receive an additional instruction section taught by guest instructor, first Lovato Black Belt, Justin Rader! Rader is a Black Belt No-Gi World Champion and is considered one of the top Featherweight/Lightweight competitors today with or without the Gi. He will teach you how he likes to use the Ultimate Pressure Guard Passing System to set up his famous calf-slicer submission, which he has used in high level Black Belt competition more than any other Black Belt!

Check out Rader using Lovato's Ultimate Pressure Guard Passing System to set up his calf slicer against 2010 Black Belt World Champion, Pablo Silva, below!

Rafael Lovato Jr. defeats Lucas Leite and Sets Eyes on Making History at Worlds!

Tue, 15 May 2012 14:02:00 GMT

In a tight and very technical match, Rafael Lovato Jr. was victorious over Lucas Leite by a score of 2-0 in their super fight at the very first World Jiu-Jitsu Expo! This was the first time the two top competitors, who both happen to be Gi & No-Gi Black Belt World Champions, had ever faced each other and after an extensive feeling out process, the match ended with quite a bit of excitement. In his post fight interview, Rafael Lovato Jr. wished his mom a happy mother's day and he also mentioned how that victory was a small step on his mission of becoming the first non-Brazilian to win the World Championships as a Black Belt twice! Now with just two more weeks to go until the 2012 World Championships, Lovato will be finishing off his World's camp with some very intense training and small technical adjustments to help him go into the competition in peak physical and technical condition. Rafael has 5 Black Belt World medals in three different weight classes, but only one of those medals is a Gold. Follow Rafael as he attempts to make even more history in the sport and solidify himself as not just the best American in BJJ, but one of the greatest ever.

Follow on Facebook, Twitter, & now Instagram (@lovatojrbjj)!

Check out the match!

Lovato Jr. vs Antonio Carlos Video and Team Lovato Pan Highlight!

Fri, 11 May 2012 16:53:00 GMT

To get you pumped up to watch Professor Rafael Lovato Jr. compete in his superfight tomorrow night against Lucas Leite at the World Jiu-Jitsu Expo, here are a couple of brand new videos featuring Rafael Lovato Jr. and the rest of Team Lovato! Make sure to get the live stream of the awesome superfights at MobileBlackBelt.TV and enjoy the great BJJ!

Black Belt World Champion, Rafael Lovato Jr. vs Black Belt Absolute Pan Champion, Antonio Carlos Jr.

Team Lovato Highlight from the 2012 IBJJF Pan

Rafael Lovato Jr. Will Now Face Lucas Leite at World Jiu-Jitsu Expo!

Wed, 09 May 2012 16:24:00 GMT

Originally slated to face Kayron Gracie, Rafael Lovato Jr. will now meet Lucas Leite in a Gi Superfight at the inaugural World Jiu-Jitsu Expo this Saturday. Gracie sustained an injury and former World Champion and top competitor, Lucas Leite stepped up despite the short notice. This match promises to be very exciting and it will be the first time these two World Champions have ever faced each other. Be sure to watch the live stream of the event at MobileBlackBelt.TV!

Team Lovato On Fire Again!

Tue, 08 May 2012 04:06:00 GMT

Last weekend was another big weekend for Team Lovato! Fifty competitors from the Lovato Jiu-Jitsu OKC headquarters went down to Texas to compete at the 2012 Dallas International BJJ Open. At the end of the day Team Lovato left with the 2nd Place Overall Team trophy, only losing to Nova Uniao who has many schools in the Dallas area and outnumbered the Lovato Jiu-Jitsu team by nearly 30 competitors. Team Lovato is the only team to have placed in the top 3 at all 5 of the IBJJF International tournaments held in Texas including the 2010, 2011, & 2012 Houston Open and the 2011 & 2012 Dallas Open, including a 2nd place finish at the 2012 Houston Open as well. These accomplishments, along with being the current GQ Texas Team Champions 2 years in a row, show why the Lovato Jiu-Jitsu school is one of the best schools in the country!

There were many great performances by Team Lovato at the Dallas Open, click to read a full write up about Team Lovato at the event. The most exciting performance of the tournament was put on by the first Lovato Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt, Professor Justin Rader, when he defeated former World Champion, Pablo Silva, with a calf slicer in a very intense finals match! Check it out below:

Meanwhile, in Canada, Lovato Jiu-Jitsu Oregon Black Belt representative, Ben Baxter, was in action at the British Columbia Open in Vancouver. Professor Baxter was able to submit both of his opponents and take the Gold medal. Check out his final match:

Professor Rafael Lovato Jr. is very proud of you all!

Watch Lovato vs Gracie & Amazing Superfight Card Live!

Sat, 05 May 2012 03:42:00 GMT

The inaugural World Jiu-Jitsu Expo takes place next Saturday and it has the BJJ fans world wide extremely excited to watch the amazing superfight card the event was able to put together. The card is filled with World Champions and one of them is American BJJ Superstar, Rafael Lovato Jr. who will be facing the son of Carlos Gracie Jr., Kayron Gracie. You don't have to be in Long Beach to watch these exciting match ups, MobileBlackBelt.TV will be streaming the superfights live starting at 7pm (Pacific) on May 12th. Get your ticket and enjoy the awesome Gi & No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu!

Savarese Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Joins the Lovato Jiu-Jitsu Association!

Wed, 02 May 2012 14:44:00 GMT

Rafael Lovato Jr. is very proud to announce that the Savarese Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy located in Lyndhurst, New Jersey is now an official representative of the Lovato Jiu-Jitsu Association! The Savarese BJJ Academy is led by First Degree Black Belt, Chris Savarese. Professor Savarese is one of the most experienced and respected Black Belts on the East Coast and within a few years of opening his academy, he has already created a very successful competition team. Professor Savarese has been a great friend and supporter of Rafael Lovato Jr. over the years and he will now represent Lovato Jiu-Jitsu in New Jersey. The Lovato Jiu-Jitsu Association couldn't ask for a better representative and we are very happy to now have an official headquarters on the East Coast.

Professor Rafael's seminar at Savarese BJJ Academy from earlier this year

This now brings the Lovato Jiu-Jitsu Association to a total of 5 academies with 8 Black Belts!

Lovato Jiu-Jitsu Oregon:

Seaside BJJ Academy (Seaside, OR) - Led by Brown Belts Nate & Zach Adamson

Salem-Keizer BJJ Academy (Salem, OR) - Led by Professors Ben Baxter & James Puopolo

Lovato Jiu-Jitsu Oklahoma:

Lovato's School of BJJ & MMA (Association Headquarters in Oklahoma City, OK) - Led by Professors Rafael Lovato Jr. & Sr., Justin Rader, Travis Serna, & Robert Harper

Pride Mixed Martial Arts (Edmond, OK) - Led by certified Lovato Jiu-Jitsu instructors from the OKC headquarters

Lovato Jiu-Jitsu New Jersey:

Savarese BJJ Academy (Lyndhurst, New Jersey) - Led by Professor Chris Savarese

Open Mat Radio Interviews Rafael Lovato Jr.

Wed, 02 May 2012 03:52:00 GMT

Check out this great interview with Rafael Lovato Jr. by Open Mat Radio! They ask some very interesting questions.

Lovato vs Gracie Superfight Set for World Jiu-Jitsu Expo!!

Sun, 29 Apr 2012 19:52:00 GMT

Black Belt World Champion, Rafael Lovato Jr. will be facing 2x Pan Black Belt Champion, Kayron Gracie, in a BJJ superfight at the first ever World Jiu-Jitsu Expo on May 12th, in Long Beach, California. This promises to be a very exciting match at a very nice event with other incredible superfight matches, including Nick Diaz vs Braulio Estima & Kron Gracie vs Vitor Estima. Stay tuned for results.

Tribute to World Champions Highlight Video!

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 14:05:00 GMT

Check out this awesome highlight video featuring Rafael Lovato Jr. alongside BJJ greats Royler Gracie and Saulo & Xande Ribeiro!

Thanks to KnockemOrLockem for posting!

Novatek Laboratories New Sponsor of Rafael Lovato Jr.!

Sun, 29 Apr 2012 19:41:00 GMT

Check out the newest sponsor of Rafael Lovato Jr., Novatek Laboratories! They are a new supplement company with a great product called "Rise" and they have more on the way. "Rise" is a great pre workout supplement that gives you energy and Rafael Lovato Jr. is using it with great results.

Rafael Lovato Jr. Wins the Bronze Medal at the 2012 World Pro BJJ Championships!

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 14:00:00 GMT

For the 2nd year in a row, Rafael Lovato Jr. stood on the podium at the World Pro BJJ Championships held in Abu Dhabi. Representing his country, Rafael was one of only two Americans who reached the Black Belt podium in an event dominated by Brazilians. Rafael lost his semifinal match by one advantage in what was once again a very close and controversial loss. This bronze marks the 11th Black Belt World medal that Professor Rafael has earned in his eight year career as a Black Belt!

After 2012 Pan Bronze, Rafael Lovato Jr. Heads to Abu Dhabi!

Sun, 08 Apr 2012 17:09:00 GMT

The 2012 BJJ Pan American Championships didn't unfold the way Rafael Lovato Jr. had planned. After submitting his first round opponent from Alliance, Rafael Lovato Jr. faced World Champion Brown Belt & new Checkmat Black Belt, Yuri Simoes in the semifinals. Rafael started the match on top and not very far into the match, Yuri was able to put Rafael in the 50/50 position where they spent nearly the entire match. Yuri received an advantage for knocking Rafael down and he also was able to sweep Rafael with the 50/50 but was swept right back. Unwilling to let go of the 50/50 or the ankle lock control he was using to trap Rafael's leg, Rafael was unable to escape the position and was waiting for the referees to restart the match. Towards the end, Yuri changed his grips to take Rafael's back and Rafael was able to escape the 50/50 and start his passing pressure. During some fast paced scrambling, Yuri once again put Rafael in the 50/50 position and Rafael attacked his foot to receive an advantage and tie the score. The referees were forced to make their decision and they awarded the match to Yuri. This was very disappointing, not just because of the loss, but because Rafael was unable to show his fans and the audience the kind of aggressive Jiu-Jitsu game he has and was instead involved in a very boring match filled with stalling. Now, Rafael is fired up to go to Abu Dhabi and put on a show!

Taking the back at the 2012 Pan

Working to pass Yuri's guard

It wasn't gold, but Rafael did secure his 9th Black Belt Pan Am medal!! (3 golds, 1 silver, 5 bronzes)

On his way to Abu Dhabi right now, Rafael Lovato Jr. will be competing in the 88kg division at the 2012 World Pro Jiu-Jitsu Championships! This will be a huge event with many of the best BJJ athletes from around the world competing to win the title and large cash prizes. Rafael is very excited to have the opportunity to compete again so soon and can't wait to go to battle alongside his long time training partner and instructor, Xande Ribeiro! Last year, they both won the World Pro No-Gi titles together and this year they will be looking to do it in the gi. Check out Rafael's no-gi final with Rodolfo Vieira from last year's World Pro:

Rafael Lovato Jr. Wraps Up Oregon Seminars & Heads to 2012 Pan!

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 00:26:00 GMT

Professor Rafael with his NW reps - Ben Baxter, Zach Adamson, Nate Adamson, James Puopolo

Professor Rafael Lovato Jr. completed his last week of training before the 2012 IBJJF Pan American Championships in Oregon, teaching and training with his Northwest representatives from Salem Keizer BJJ & Seaside BJJ. Professor Rafael taught a seminar at each location and both were very well received with his seminar in Seaside packing the house with over 40 people on the mat. During his week stay, Professor Rafael got some great training with his Black Belts, Ben Baxter & James Puopolo of Salem Keizer BJJ and his Brown Belts, Nate & Zach Adamson of Seaside BJJ. With all of his representatives competing by his side at the Pan, the training was very intense and technical, focusing on the positions & situations that arise in competition. Keep your eyes on Black Belts, Ben Baxter in medium heavy & James Puopolo in super heavy, as they will be strong threats to the competition and are a part of the next generation of American Black Belt heavyweights. Also, Zach Adamson will be strong candidate for the Brown Belt featherweight title having a National Purple Belt title on his resume.

Seminar at Seaside BJJ

Now, Professor Rafael Lovato Jr. is completing his last few days of preparation for the Pan Ams in LA with his long time training partner and warrior brother, Xande Ribeiro. They will both be heading to Abu Dhabi together in 2 weeks for the Abu Dhabi World Pro BJJ tournament and Professor Xande will be coaching Rafael through his battles this weekend at the Pan.

Rafael is feeling great for the competition this weekend and is ready to make more history as he is looking to win his 4th Black Belt Pan-American title! Still to this day, Rafael is the only American to have won gold at the Pan in the adult Black Belt division! You can watch the video of Rafael winning his 3rd Black Belt Pan Title in 2008 below, it was regarded as the best match of the competition.

Also, you can watch Rafael in action live at the Budovideos Live Broadcast of the event!