Rodrigo Lopes

Rodrigo Lopes was born on December 19, 1994, in Brazil, and took his first steps in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at the Tijuca Tenis Clube sports complex in Rio de Janeiro. His foundational training came under Augusto 'Tanquinho' Mendes, a respected and accomplished competitor whose technical influence helped shape Lopes' early understanding of the art.

During his blue and purple belt years, Lopes adopted a relaxed approach to competition, choosing to prioritize his social life over the demands of a dedicated tournament schedule. That period allowed him to develop his game organically and at his own pace. The shift came at brown belt, where his competitive drive sharpened considerably — he channeled greater focus and discipline into both his training and tournament preparation, laying the groundwork for what would follow.

On June 23, 2019, Lopes reached a defining milestone when his brother Leandro Escobar promoted him to black belt — a moment that carried deep personal significance. Shortly after, Lopes accepted an invitation to represent and teach at Double Five Academy in Texas, USA, marking the beginning of his international chapter and transplanting him from the training floors of Tijuca to the competitive landscape of North American BJJ.

Breaking Through on the International Stage

Lopes announced himself with a breakthrough performance at the 2020 IBJJF American National Championships, earning double silver medals by reaching the finals in both the gi and no-gi divisions within the Meio Pesado weight class (88.30 kg / 195.0 lbs). Competing at a high level across both formats simultaneously demonstrated his technical versatility and competitive durability — a strong statement early in his black belt career.

Elite-Level Consistency

Lopes reinforced that momentum with a 3rd place finish at the 2021 IBJJF World Championship No-Gi, confirming his ability to perform consistently against elite opposition on the sport's largest stages. These results, achieved in the early stages of his black belt tenure, signal a competitor with a clear upward trajectory.

Representing the United States on the international circuit — a direct reflection of his relocation to Texas — Lopes competes under the Double Five Academy banner, embodying the academy's presence within the global BJJ community. His journey from Rio de Janeiro to the competitive arenas of North America stands as a testament to the late-blooming dedication he discovered at brown belt and has carried forward into a productive black belt career.