Augusto Mendes

Augusto Lopes Mendes was born on March 3, 1983, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. As the youngest and smallest in the family, whose older brother was already called “Tanque” (tank), he became known as “Tanquinho” (little tank).⁠[1][2]

In 1997, encouraged by his brother Bruno, Mendes began training Brazilian jiu-jitsu at the Kioto gym in Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro; four months later he took a bronze medal at the Rio State Championships. In 1999 he began teaching at Kioto.⁠[1][2]

In December 2004, Mendes was promoted to black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu by Francisco Mansor; he later reached the rank of fifth-degree black belt.⁠[1][3]

In June 2005, Mendes left Kioto and founded Renovação BJJ with his brother Bruno. In 2006, after completing a degree in physical education in Brazil, he became a full-time grappler.⁠[1][3]

In January 2008, Mendes co-founded the jiu-jitsu team Soul Fighters with his brother Bruno, Rafael “Formiga” Barbosa, Leandro “Tatu” Escobar and Alvaro Mansor. The team grew into an international association with more than 20 affiliate schools and over 1,000 students.⁠[1][4]

Mendes began competing in mixed martial arts in 2014. On February 21, 2016, he made his UFC debut at a UFC Fight Night event in Pittsburgh, losing to Cody Garbrandt by knockout in the first round.⁠[5][1][2]

On January 15, 2017, Mendes defeated Frankie Saenz by split decision at a UFC Fight Night event in Phoenix; on April 15 that year, he lost to Aljamain Sterling by decision in Kansas City.⁠[5][2]

On March 20, 2018, the UFC announced that the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) had notified Mendes of a potential anti-doping policy violation stemming from an out-of-competition sample collected on March 7, and that he had been removed from his scheduled April 21 bout against Merab Dvalishvili in Atlantic City, New Jersey; the UFC said athletes receive a full and fair legal process before any sanction is imposed.⁠[6]

In April 2019, USADA announced the outcome: Mendes’s sample had tested positive for ostarine, and he accepted a six-month period of ineligibility beginning on March 20, 2018, the date of his provisional suspension. USADA said its investigation of the four fighters’ cases, including his, found no evidence of intentional use, consistent with other supplement contamination cases.⁠[7]

On April 28, 2026, Hard Knocks Business released the short video “6x world champion.. now building a business & coaching PRO fighters,” filmed in Scottsdale, Arizona. In it he introduced himself as a former professional athlete who now owns a martial arts academy, described himself as a black belt and “six-time world champion,” and said former UFC champion Sean O’Malley had trained jiu-jitsu with him.⁠[8]

In the video he said he was 43 and had retired from fighting; he had prepared for retirement and, through prayer, concluded it was time to stop and focus on his students, using martial arts as a tool to make people better. He also said he grew up in Brazil with little, and that his faith helped him get to where he is.⁠[8]

Discipline comes first: it is what keeps you on your routine on hard days, and once you have it, everything else falls into place (video at 00:29)⁠[8]

Be at peace with losing: for athletes and entrepreneurs alike defeat is part of life, and he said he is grateful for the defeats he has had (video at 00:45)⁠[8]

When a business decision fails, set ego aside and keep an open mind: change course, try different approaches and learn from mistakes rather than assuming you know everything (video at 01:02)⁠[8]

Mendes won world titles at blue belt in 2000 and at purple belt in 2002. At black belt he won the 2013 IBJJF World Championship (gi), the 2012 and 2015 IBJJF No-Gi World Championships, the 2011 and 2013 UAEJJF professional world titles and the 2017 ACB no-gi 60 kg title; at the ADCC World Championship he placed third in 2015 and won in 2019.⁠[1][3]

Soul Fighters HQ: Official website: https://www.soulfightershq.com/ (opens in a new window).⁠[3]

X: Public account: https://x.com/tanquinhojj (opens in a new window).⁠[3]