All MMA fightersRafael Lovato Jr.
MMA · Retired11-0RECORD
2KO / TKO WINS
7SUBMISSION WINS
2DECISION WINS
Profile
| Full name | Rafael Lovato Jr. |
|---|---|
| Nickname | Not added yet |
| Date of birth | 25 Jun 1983 |
| Nationality | American |
| Birthplace | Cincinnati, Ohio, United States |
| Lives in | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States |
| Division | Middleweight |
| Team | Lovato Jiu-Jitsu Association |
| Height | 191 cm (6′3″) |
| Reach | 197 cm (78″) |
| Stance | Not added yet |
| Years active | 2014–2022 |
| Status | Retired |
| Pro debut | 26 Sep 2014 |
| Last fight | Win vs Taiga Iwasaki, 28 Dec 2022 |
Details on this page were compiled from public information on 11 Oct 2026 (the record is as of that date). Is this you? Claim this profile to correct anything and add your photo and bio. Claim this profile
Titles and honours
- Bellator Middleweight World Champion (one time)
- Legacy FC Middleweight Champion (one defense)
- IBJJF World Jiu-Jitsu Champion (black belt)
- ADCC silver medalist (2024)
Background
American Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion who went unbeaten in MMA. He won the Legacy FC title, then took the Bellator middleweight belt from Gegard Mousasi in 2019 before a brain condition forced him to vacate it; he fought once more in Japan in 2022.
Fight history
11 professional fights. Newest first.
| Result | Opponent | Method | Round | Time | Event | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | Taiga Iwasaki | Submission (kimura) | 1 | 2:10 | Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye x Ganryujima | 28 Dec 2022 | Tokyo, Japan | Catchweight (195 lb) bout |
| Win | Gegard Mousasi | Decision (majority) | 5 | 5:00 | Bellator 223 | 22 Jun 2019 | London, England | Won Bellator Middleweight title |
| Win | John Salter | Submission (rear-naked choke) | 3 | 4:27 | Bellator 205 | 21 Sep 2018 | Boise, Idaho, United States | |
| Win | Gerald Harris | Submission (armbar) | 1 | 1:11 | Bellator 198 | 28 Apr 2018 | Rosemont, Illinois, United States | Catchweight (188 lb) bout |
| Win | Chris Honeycutt | Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 5:00 | Bellator 189 | 1 Dec 2017 | Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States | |
| Win | Mike Rhodes | Submission (rear-naked choke) | 1 | 1:59 | Bellator 181 | 14 Jul 2017 | Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States | |
| Win | Charles Hackmann | TKO (knees and punches) | 1 | 0:13 | Bellator 174 | 3 Mar 2017 | Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States | Catchweight (195 lb) bout |
| Win | Cortez Coleman | Submission (armbar) | 3 | 4:04 | Legacy FC 62 | 11 Nov 2016 | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States | Legacy FC Middleweight title defense |
| Win | Marcelo Nunes | TKO (punches) | 2 | 4:51 | Legacy FC 54 | 22 Apr 2016 | Catoosa, Oklahoma, United States | Won vacant Legacy FC Middleweight title |
| Win | Kevin Holland | Submission (rear-naked choke) | 1 | 1:24 | Legacy FC 46 | 2 Oct 2015 | Allen, Texas, United States | |
| Win | Canaan Grigsby | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | 1 | 4:07 | Legacy FC 35 | 26 Sep 2014 | Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States |