Art of Jiu-Jitsu (AOJ) is one of the world’s premier Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu academies, renowned for producing world champions through a meticulous, fundamentals-first approach to training. Founded by brothers Rafael and Guilherme Mendes, AOJ has earned a reputation for technical excellence, innovative instruction, and one of the most successful youth development programs in the sport.
From white belts to world champions, AOJ emphasizes precision, discipline, and continual refinement. Its athletes have found success across the IBJJF World Championships, ADCC, and major professional grappling events, making the academy one of the most respected teams in modern jiu-jitsu.
History
After retiring from full-time competition, Rafael and Guilherme Mendes opened Art of Jiu-Jitsu in Costa Mesa, California, with the goal of creating an academy centered on technical excellence and long-term athlete development.
Rather than building solely around elite competitors, the Mendes brothers invested heavily in youth coaching, creating a structured program that has developed numerous juvenile and adult world champions. Over the years, AOJ has grown into one of the most influential academies in the world, producing talent across every belt level while maintaining a strong presence in both gi and no-gi competition.
Training Philosophy
AOJ’s philosophy is rooted in mastering the fundamentals before advancing to more complex systems.
Core principles include:
- Technical precision
- Positional control
- Continuous movement
- Discipline and consistency
- Long-term development
Students are encouraged to build strong fundamentals while developing a creative, adaptable style that can evolve with modern competition.
Signature Style
Art of Jiu-Jitsu athletes are known for combining traditional fundamentals with modern innovation.
Guard Passing
AOJ competitors emphasize clean, technically efficient passing built around:
- Knee-cut passing
- Leg drags
- Torreando passing
- Long-step passing
- Headquarters positioning
The focus is on movement, timing, and angle creation rather than relying solely on pressure.
Guard Work
The academy has been instrumental in advancing modern guard systems, including:
- De La Riva guard
- Reverse De La Riva
- Berimbolo transitions
- Collar and sleeve guard (gi)
- Spider and lasso guard
Even in no-gi competition, AOJ athletes retain the movement, timing, and back-taking concepts developed through these systems.
Submission Game
AOJ competitors prioritize high-percentage finishes from dominant positions, including:
- Rear naked chokes
- Bow and arrow chokes (gi)
- Armbars
- Triangle chokes
- Kimuras
Their submission strategy emphasizes patience and positional control rather than forcing low-percentage attacks.
Notable Athletes
Art of Jiu-Jitsu has produced and developed many world-class competitors, including:
- Tainan Dalpra
- Cole Abate
- Jessa Khan
- Jonatha Alves
- Kaynan Duarte (joined the academy in 2026)
The academy’s youth program has also produced numerous IBJJF juvenile and colored belt champions who have gone on to become elite black belt competitors.
Youth Development
One of AOJ’s defining features is its world-renowned youth program.
The academy places a strong emphasis on:
- Structured technical progression
- Competition experience
- Character development
- Discipline and sportsmanship
- Long-term athlete growth
Many of today’s rising stars trained at AOJ from childhood, making it one of the most successful talent development systems in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Competitive Identity
AOJ athletes are recognized for a polished, technical style built around efficiency and control.
Their matches often feature:
- Clean guard passing
- Excellent guard retention
- Dynamic transitions
- Calculated submission attacks
- Exceptional movement and timing
Whether competing in gi or no-gi, AOJ competitors are known for maintaining composure and technical discipline throughout a match.
Legacy & Impact
Art of Jiu-Jitsu has become one of the most influential academies of the modern era. Under the leadership of the Mendes brothers, the team has helped shape contemporary guard passing, back attacks, and movement-based jiu-jitsu while developing champions across multiple generations.
Its emphasis on technical excellence and athlete development has made AOJ a model for academies around the world. Many coaches have adopted elements of the Mendes brothers’ teaching philosophy, particularly their focus on fundamentals, precision, and long-term progression.