Rafael Mendes Godoy (born 1989 in Rio Claro, São Paulo, Brazil) is a six-time Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) world champion at the black belt level.

Rafael and his brother Guilherme started their jiu jitsu training through an older cousin named Thiago Mendes, who was a purple belt under Leonardo Santos.

Guilherme and Rafael have reported to the media several times of how their coach Ramon Lemos filled most of that void, teaching them not only BJJ but the moral values with which they built their character.

Rafael made it to the final of the trials losing a hard fight against Bruno Frazatto (who would later become his friend and team mate at Atos).

(Bruxo) Rafael Mendes' primary rival throughout his career has been multiple-time world champion Rubens Charles Maciel who is better known as "Cobrinha."

USA) May 2015—Mendes wins via points (6-0) After teaching many seminars, the Mendes Brothers decided that they wanted to have a traditional jiu jitsu school and have their own students.

On October 6, 2020, the Art of Jiu Jitsu's famous kid's program produced its first black belt, eighteen-year-old Jessa Khan.