It must not be easy to win in a tough sport like Jiu-Jitsu and also be somewhat out of place. When the overwhelming majority of black belts in the gentle art communicate in Portuguese, Rafael Lovato Jr, gets along without understanding the mother tongue of the sport he adores. The American is the second non-Brazilian athlete to become World champion, repeating the feat of the Hawaiian current UFC lightweight champion BJ Penn in 2000.
Besides the extremely difficult accomplishment, the Saulo Ribeiro student also was crowned Pan-American champion at the end of last month. Even with these great achievements, the black belt is far from satisfied, and in an interview with GRACIEMAG.com, the fighter who hopes to become an example for other American fighter, as BJ was to him, says he wants more, especially the absolute.
GRACIEMAG.com: What did you think about the organization of the Pan, which is already considered the second biggest Jiu-Jitsu championship in the world, with more than 2 thousand signed up?
Lovato: The Pan-Ams are organized very well. They have the brackets and schedule on their web site so you can have a really good idea of how many matches you will have and what time you will fight. Also, with all the great Brazilian talent living in the U.S. now, I think that the overall level of competition is higher as well.
GRACIEMAG.com: How did you become a champion in a sport dominated by Brazilians? Do you think in the future we’ll be seeing more American champions like you?
Lovato: I am just trying to accomplish my goals and reach my dream of being remembered as a great champion of Jiu-Jitsu. I saw BJ Penn win the Mundials when I was only 17 years old, so I never planned on being the main American in Jiu-Jitsu it just kind of happened. I definitely think that America has many great competitors who can also be champions. There are other black belts and many brown belts coming up who have promising futures, I hope I am an inspiration to them.
GRACIEMAG.com:How is your own team going? Do you think Americans are becoming more interested in Jiu-Jitsu?
Lovato: My team is going great. I am very happy with the level of my students. I live in Oklahoma and do most of my training with my students, so my accomplishments are also a reflection of them. I think that Jiu-Jitsu has grown greatly among Americans. Now everyone knows what Jiu-Jitsu is. I just hope that people really try to understand Jiu-Jitsu and see how deep and beautiful it is, instead of just seeing it as something that you need to know for MMA.
GRACIEMAG.com: How do you assess your own participation in the Pan? Was Tussa your greatest challenge?
Lovato: My performance was disappointing in the beginning and then good in the end. I really wanted to have a great showing in the absolute, that is still something I have yet to accomplish. Unfortunately, I didn't perform at my best in the absolute and I lost. I didn't sleep at all that Saturday night and I really wanted to make up for it on Sunday. I felt great going into the finals with Tussa. He definitely was my greatest challenge. I made a big mistake and he jumped at the opportunity to finish me. The triangle was very tight, but I wasn't going to go home with that on my mind. I was just thinking to myself that I could escape and still win the match, and show everyone what I am made of, heart and determination. Fortunately, I was able to escape and win the match in the end. I will always remember that match and I hope that everyone that saw it will remember it also. I have a lot of respect for Tussa and we made a great battle together. I learned a lot that weekend and I think that it will help me be a better competitor.
GRACIEMAG.com: Big Mac also won at weight. Do you hope to meet him in the Worlds? In what category will you fight and what are your hopes for the biggest tournament of all?
Lovato: I am not really thinking about that, if we meet then we meet. I am not sure what weight class I will do, it depends on what Saulo thinks and what is best for the team. My expectations for the Mundials is that it is going to be harder then ever. That is what I will train for and in the end I see myself on top again.
