Rafael Lovato Jr.
Rafael Lovato Jr. (born June 25, 1983) is a retired American mixed martial artist and BJJ competitor and instructor who last competed in the Middleweight division of Bellator MMA, where he is the former Bellator Middleweight World Champion. At the time of his retirement, Lovato Jr. was ranked the #4 Middleweight fighter in the world by Fight Matrix.[2]
| Rafael Lovato Jr. | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 25, 1983 Cincinnati, Ohio, United States |
| Residence | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) |
| Weight | 185 lb (84 kg; 13.2 st) |
| Division | Middleweight Light Heavyweight |
| Reach | 77 1⁄2 in (197 cm) |
| Style | Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Jeet Kun Do, Boxing |
| Team | Lovato Jiu-Jitsu Association |
| Rank | 4th degree Black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Saulo Ribeiro[1] |
| Years active | 2014–2020 |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 10 |
| Wins | 10 |
| By knockout | 2 |
| By submission | 6 |
| By decision | 2 |
| Losses | 0 |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
Representing  United States | ||
| Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu/Grappling | ||
| World Jiu-Jitsu Championship | ||
.svg.png.webp){kind=icon} | 2007 California, USA | +100 kg |
.svg.png.webp){kind=icon} | 2008 California, USA | -100 kg |
.svg.png.webp){kind=icon} | 2009 California, USA | -94 kg |
| 2010 California, USA | -94 kg |
| 2011 California, USA | -94 kg |
| 2012 California, USA | -94 kg |
| 2013 California, USA | -100 kg |
| 2014 California, USA | -94 kg |
| World No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu Championship | ||
| 2010 California, USA | -91.5 kg |
| 2011 California, USA | -85.5 kg |
| 2012 California, USA | -91.5 kg |
| 2013 California, USA | +97.5 kg |
| Pan American Jiu-Jitsu Championship | ||
| 2007 California, USA | -100 kg |
| 2008 California, USA | -94 kg |
| 2009 California, USA | -94 kg |
| 2010 California, USA | -94 kg |
| 2012 California, USA | -94 kg |
| European Jiu-Jitsu Championship | ||
| 2007 Lisbon, Portugal | -100 kg |
| Nogi World Cup | ||
| 2011 Abu Dhabi, UAE | -92kg |
| Brazilian National Jiu-Jitsu Championship | ||
| 2007 São Paulo, Brazil | -100 kg |
| 2010 São Paulo, Brazil | -100 kg |
| 2010 São Paulo, Brazil | Absolute |
| 2013 São Paulo, Brazil | -100 kg |
| 2013 São Paulo, Brazil | Absolute |
Early life
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.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu career
Although Lovato is known as a successful competitor in high-level competition, he is particularly notable for being the second American (B.J. Penn being the first) to win the World Jiu Jitsu Championship as a black belt.[3]
Lovato is a black belt under Carlos Machado, the oldest of the Machado family.[4] 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.[5]
Since retiring from MMA due to medical issues, Lovato Jr. has made a return to competing in BJJ, with several appearances on the superfight circuit throughout 2020.[6] He also competed at the IBJJF Masters World Championships 2020, claiming silver in the absolute division after a close final match with Gregor Gracie.[7] Lovato Jr. has also verbally agreed to compete against the reigning ADCC World Champion Gordon Ryan at some point in 2021.[8]
Lovato currently manages his own academy in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.[9]
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Lovato made his professional MMA debut in September 2014 for the Legacy Fighting Championship promotion. He fought for the organization four times over the next two years. He went undefeated and won and defended the company's Middleweight Championship.
Bellator MMA
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.
In his second Bellator bout, Lovato faced Mike Rhodes at Bellator 181 on July 14, 2017. Rafael Lovato Jr. won the fight via submission in the first round.[10]
Lovato faced Chris Honeycutt at Bellator 189 on December 1, 2017 [11] and Rafael Lovato Jr. won the fight by unanimous decision.
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.[12] Rafael Lovato Jr. won the fight via armbar submission in the first round.[13]
Lovato faced John Salter on September 21, 2018 at Bellator 205.[14] Rafael Lovato Jr. won the fight via a submission.[15]
Bellator MMA Middleweight World Champion
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.[16] On December 20, 2018, it was reported that Mousasi pulled from the fight, citing a back injury and Lovato was pulled from the card.[17] The bout against Mousasi was rescheduled to June 22, 2019 in London, England at Bellator 223.[18] Lovato defeated Mousasi by majority decision.[19]
On January 29, 2020, while appearing on the Joe Rogan Experience, Lovato revealed that he was dealing with a brain condition called cerebral cavernoma. He 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 is hopeful he will fight again in the future.[20] On February 10, 2020, it was announced that Lovato had relinquished the Bellator Middleweight title.[21]
Lovato Jr has gone on record to state his desire to return to professional MMA for at least one more fight, and ideally in 2021. Although as yet, he's been unable to get medically cleared to fight.[22]
Championships and accomplishments
Mixed martial arts
- Bellator MMA
- Bellator Middleweight World Championship (One time)
- Legacy Fighting Championship
- Legacy FC Middleweight Championship (One time)
- One successful title defense
- Legacy FC Middleweight Championship (One time)
Mixed martial arts record
| Professional record breakdown | ||
| 10 matches | 10 wins | 0 losses |
| By knockout | 2 | 0 |
| By submission | 6 | 0 |
| By decision | 2 | 0 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 cerebral cavernoma. |
| 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 |
External links
References
- https://ibjjf.com/list-of-black-belts/
- "Middleweight World Rankings". fightmatrix.com. Retrieved September 29, 2019.
- Thapa, Ben (October 26, 2011). "Grappler Interviews: Rafael Lovato Jr". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved February 12, 2013.
- "Rafael Lovato Jr". BJJ Heroes BJJ Fighter Database. March 26, 2015. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
- "Rafael Lovato Jr (Gracie Humaita)". BJJ Heroes. August 1, 2010. Retrieved February 12, 2013.
- https://jitsmagazine.com/bjj-stars-4-full-results-and-review/
- https://jitsmagazine.com/gregor-gracie-defeats-rafael-lovato-jr-to-become-absolute-champion-at-masters-world-championships/
- https://jitsmagazine.com/gordon-ryan-and-rafael-lovato-jr-agree-to-fight/
- "Rafael Lovato Jr. - Gi & No-Gi Black Belt World Champion". Retrieved February 12, 2013.
- John Morgan (July 14, 2017). "Bellator 181 results: Derek Campos scores trilogy win over Brandon Girtz in blood-soaked instant classic". mmajunkie.com.
- Staff (October 6, 2017). "Featherweight champ Julia Budd headlines Bellator 189 in rematch with Arlene Blencowe". mmajunkie.com.
- Steve Juon (April 25, 2018). "Bellator 198 fight card shakeup: Gerald Harris vs Rafael Lovato Jr. booked with John Salter scratched". mmamania.com.
- "Bellator 198 results: Rafael Lovato Jr. makes easy work of Gerald Harris". MMAjunkie. 2018-04-29. Retrieved 2018-04-29.
- "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.
- "Bellator 205 results: Rafael Lovato Jr. stays perfect, taps out gritty John Salter". MMAjunkie. 2018-09-22. Retrieved 2018-09-22.
- "Gegard Mousasi vs Rafael Lovato Jr. booked for Bellator 214". MMAFighting.com. November 19, 2018.
- "Gegard Mousasi injured, out of Bellator 214 title fight with Rafael Lovato Jr". www.mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2018-12-21.
- "Mousasi vs. Lovato Jr. title fight set for Bellator London in June; Daley, Gallagher to compete". mmajunkie.com. March 29, 2019.
- "Bellator London live and official results". mmajunkie.com. June 22, 2019.
- "Bellator champ Rafael Lovato Jr. reveals he's 'indefinitely on the sidelines' with brain condition". MMAJunkie.com. January 29, 2020.
- "Rafael Lovato Jr. relinquishes Bellator middleweight title due to ongoing medical condition". MMAFighting.com. February 10, 2020.
- https://jitsmagazine.com/rafael-lovato-jr-wants-to-return-to-mma-despite-brain-condition/
- Sherdog.com. "Rafael Lovato Jr. MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, Biography - Sherdog.com". Sherdog. Retrieved 2018-12-21.