BRUNO MENDES
Program Director
Known across the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu world simply as "Tank," Bruno Mendes is a founding member and leader of the Soul Fighters BJJ team and a first-degree black belt under Alvaro Mansor. With more than 23 years on the mats, an IBJJF professor certification, and over 20 world champions developed under his guidance, Tank is one of the most recognized professors and coaches in the sport — and a specialist in kids BJJ.
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BRUNO “TANK” MENDES
Bruno Mendes — known throughout the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu world by his nickname "Tank" — is one of the leaders and founding members of the Soul Fighters BJJ team. A first-degree black belt under Alvaro Mansor, Tank spent several years working behind the scenes of IBJJF competitions before founding his own team alongside his brother, world champion Augusto "Tanquinho" Mendes, Leandro Escobar, and Rafael Barbosa. With more than 23 years of experience in BJJ, he has become one of the most recognized professors and coaches in the sport.
Tank is, above all, a world champion builder. More than 20 athletes have earned the title of world champion under his guidance — a track record few coaches in the world can claim. Yet for all his work at the elite competitive level, he's equally a specialist in kids BJJ, dedicated to building the next generation of athletes from the ground up.
His credentials run deep beyond coaching. Bruno holds a professor certificate from the IBJJF (International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation) and serves as the lead professor for the Soul Fighters association within the IBJJF. His expertise was forged over years as an IBJJF official at world championships and through his work inside the IBJJF head office, as well as his service as an official for the Rio de Janeiro State federation. That rare combination — elite coach, certified professor, and seasoned official — is exactly what anchors the Soul Fighters lineage that Combate Academy is proud to be part of.
