Guilherme "Gui" Mendes is a Brazilian black belt from Rio Claro, São Paulo, and the older brother of Rafael Mendes. He won the IBJJF World featherweight title four times between 2009 and 2014, and his first made him the first Atos athlete to win the Worlds. He retired from competition in 2015 at 26, co-runs Art of Jiu-Jitsu in California, and joined the IBJJF Hall of Fame in 2022.

Background and lineage

Guilherme Mendes Godoy started jiu-jitsu in 2001 with Rafael, after their cousin Thiago Mendes introduced them to Ramon Lemos and Leonardo Santos. He won the IBJJF Worlds at blue belt (2005), purple (2007) and brown (2008), along with Brazilian National titles at each of those belts. Lemos promoted him to black belt in October 2008, in the year Lemos co-founded Atos. BJJ Heroes traces his lineage through André Pederneiras and Carlson Gracie. In July 2012 the brothers opened Art of Jiu-Jitsu (AOJ) in Costa Mesa, which became independent of Atos in February 2020.

Competition highlights

• IBJJF World Championship: featherweight gold in 2009, 2011, 2012 and 2014. In 2009 he beat Samuel Braga on advantages in the final. In 2011 he submitted Milton Carlos and Laercio Fernandes, beat Braga again in the semi-final and beat Ary Farias for the title. In 2014 he beat Paulo Miyao on advantages.
• Other IBJJF: Pan gold in 2013 (silver in 2012), European Open titles in 2010 and 2011, and the 2010 Brazilian Nationals.

His losses were few and often close. He lost the 2010 Abu Dhabi World Pro final 4–2 to his brother, a first-round referee decision to Paulo Mello at the 2010 Worlds, and the 2013 Worlds to Daniel Beleza on a referee decision.

Style and signature techniques

BJJ Heroes lists the stack pass (emborcada), the leg drag and shoulder pressure as his favourite techniques. That marks him as a passer first, close to our stack pass and pressure passing pages. Wikipedia credits him and Rafael with popularising the berimbolo from De La Riva guard. The baseball bat choke is his top submission on BJJ Heroes (6). Chokes from back control, the brabo choke and the toe hold also appear.

Retirement and teaching

Mendes announced his retirement on 19 May 2015 to focus on teaching and family. That year he created the "Believe & Achieve" scholarship programme. At AOJ he has coached black belts including Jessa Khan and Tainan Dalpra, both promoted in October 2020.