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Guilherme Mendes Godoy is a four-time Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) world champion at the black belt level. Alongside his brother Rafael Mendes, Guilherme is a 3rd-degree black belt under Ramon Lemos and a competitor for the Art of Jiu-Jitsu team. Considered one of the greatest featherweight (64 kg) fighters in the sport’s history, he was the first member of the Atos team to win a gold medal at the World Championship of the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) in 2009. He is also the co-founder of the Art of Jiu-Jitsu Academy alongside his brother Rafael.
Guilherme excelled in the colored belt divisions, winning IBJJF world titles in the blue, purple, and brown belt categories, as well as dominating the Brazilian National Championship at every belt level. He received his black belt in October 2008, awarded by Ramon Lemos, and quickly established himself as one of the top competitors in the black belt division. In 2009, he became the first Atos athlete to win the IBJJF World Championship, defeating Samuel Braga in the final by advantages.
In addition to his world titles, Guilherme won the IBJJF Pan American Championship and the Brazilian National Championship (CBJJ), establishing dominance in both colored and black belt divisions. He also competed in high-level events such as the Abu Dhabi World Pro, reaching the quarterfinals, and the Pan American Championship, where he made the semifinals in his first year as a black belt.
In May 2015, at the age of 26, Guilherme announced his retirement from professional jiu-jitsu competitions to focus on teaching and family. His decision came after winning his fourth world title, a milestone that earned him a place in the IBJJF Hall of Fame, where he was officially inducted in 2022. Throughout his career, he was recognized for his technical and strategic approach, particularly in the use of positions like the berimbolo, which he and his brother Rafael popularized in modern jiu-jitsu.
The Art of Jiu-Jitsu is renowned for its elite youth program, which produced athletes such as Jessa Khan, the first black belt promoted from the academy’s kids’ program in October 2020 at age 18. In the same month, Tainan Dalpra was also promoted to black belt and went on to win the IBJJF World Championship in 2021. Other notable athletes trained at the academy include Johnatha Alves and brothers Tye and Kade Ruotolo, who trained at AOJ during their childhood.
The academy implemented an innovative model, inspired by established sports programs, with a structured curriculum that guides students from beginner to elite competitive levels. In 2015, the Mendes brothers created the "Believe & Achieve" scholarship program, providing financial support, housing, and training for promising young athletes such as Caio Antonini, Johnatha Alves, and Tainan Dalpra. This program has contributed to the development of world champions and solidified AOJ’s reputation as one of the most influential jiu-jitsu academies.
As head instructor, Guilherme is praised for his ability to strategize for his athletes, often compared to prominent figures like John Danaher in no-gi jiu-jitsu. His dedication to teaching has resulted in a dominant team, with athletes like Tainan Dalpra, Cole Abate, and Zach Kaina winning titles across various divisions. The Art of Jiu-Jitsu is also recognized as one of the most aesthetically pleasing and successful academies in the United States, revolutionizing the jiu-jitsu academy model with a focus on developing champions and ensuring athletes’ financial sustainability.
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