The martial arts community is preparing for a landmark training event as Rafael and Gui Mendes, widely regarded as two of the most accomplished and influential competitors and instructors in the history of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, prepare to lead the 2019 World Super Camp. Hosted by Evolve MMA, the intensive five-day program is scheduled to run from September 16 to September 20, 2019, at EVOLVE Far East Square in Singapore.
The exclusive camp offers participants a rare opportunity to train under the direct supervision of elite modern grapplers. Over the course of five days, attendees will receive 20 hours of specialized instruction from Rafael Mendes, a six-time Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Champion at black belt, and Gui Mendes, a four-time Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt World Champion. The event represents a unique convergence of high-level instruction, modern technical evolution, and international martial arts tourism.
The Mendes Brothers have cemented their legacy in the sport not only through their extensive tournament accolades but also through their revolutionary impact on the technical landscape of modern Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Before stepping away from active IBJJF competition in 2017 at the age of 27, Rafael Mendes dominated the featherweight black belt division, capturing six world championship gold medals alongside two ADCC submission wrestling titles. His brother, Gui Mendes, matched that standard of excellence with four black belt world titles, establishing a reputation for suffocating pressure passing and strategic dominance.
In the years following their competitive retirement, the brothers shifted their focus to coaching and mentorship, founding the renowned Art of Jiu Jitsu (AOJ) academy in California. Under their guidance, a new generation of competitors has risen to prominence, dominating national and international tournaments across various belt and weight categories. Athletes trained under the Mendes system, such as Johnathan Alves, Jessa Khan, and Matheus Rodrigues, have emerged as some of the most formidable competitors on the global circuit. The upcoming Super Camp at Evolve MMA is designed to distill the training philosophies and methodologies that have propelled these athletes to the pinnacle of the sport.
Martial arts analysts note that Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has undergone a significant evolution in recent years, driven by dynamic, flowing styles and innovative guard systems that contrast sharply with traditional approaches. The Mendes Brothers have been at the forefront of this shift, popularizing techniques that challenge conventional wisdom and require practitioners to adapt to an increasingly complex game. The 2019 World Super Camp aims to address this ongoing evolution by providing students with the tools necessary to update and refine their technical repertoires.
Organizers emphasize that the curriculum of the Super Camp is structured to accommodate a wide variety of body types and grappling preferences. Whether practitioners lean toward a guard-heavy, dynamic style or rely on heavy pressure passing, the instructional content is tailored to offer scalable applications. Attendees can expect deep dives into guard recovery, intricate transitions, submission mechanics, and the intricacies of modern positions such as the berimbolo, allowing both smaller grapplers and larger competitors to extract practical value for their respective games.
The event forms part of the broader Evolve Vacation Training Program, an initiative that combines martial arts immersion with cultural exploration in Singapore. The program is structured to allow travelers to train alongside the Evolve Fight Team and international guest instructors while experiencing the city.
Registration for the Mendes Bros 2019 World Super Camp is currently open, with tiered investment rates established for Evolve members and non-members. Evolve gym members can secure their registration for US$899, while non-members can enroll for US$999. Given the limited capacity and the high demand associated with international seminars featuring world-class instructors, organizers anticipate strong interest from local and international practitioners alike.
The five-day camp runs exclusively from Monday, September 16, through Friday, September 20, 2019, providing an immersive training environment designed to push practitioners of all levels to elevate their technical understanding and strategic approach to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
