Rafael Freitas

Posted by Fanatics Authors on January 25, 2019

Rafael de Freitas is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt from the Gracie Barra Academy. His nickname, “Barata” means cockroach, a name given to him in his youth. Barata is best known for a shoulder lock submission of his creation called the “Baratoplata.” Not only is Rafael an accomplished Brazilian Jiu Jitsu competition, he is also an accomplished Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter having fought several times. Rafael is best known for having won important titles such as the World No Gi Championship and the Pan American.

Achievements

Pan American Champion (2011)
World No Gi Champion (2016 black Master 1, 2007 brown)
World No Gi Silver Medallist (2008, 2012)
American National No Gi Silver Medallist (2010)
Las Vegas Open Silver Medallist (2010)
Pan American Silver Medallist (2007 brown)
World Bronze Medallist (2010)
World No gi Bronze Medallist (2015, 2010, 2009)

Instruction

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Rafael Freitas Biography

Rafael Freitas started training martial arts very young while living in Brasilia, the capital of Brazil, with his family. At age 5, Rafael started taking Capoeira lessons. Through his childhood he continued to pick up different types of martial arts including Muay Thai, Karate, Tae Kwon Do, and eventually settling into jiu jitsu at the age of 14. It was here that Rafael met Alison Brites, who has just opened an academy in Brasilia. Alison was a big influencer in Rafael’s progression in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Rafael invented the Baratoplata when he was a purple belt. Initially, the technique was a form of bicep slicer, however this is illegal for purple belts according to the IBJJF rules. Rafael readapated and improved the technique by turning it into a shoulder lock. Since 2007, Rafael trains and resides in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He was awarded his black belt by Carlos Gracie Jr in 2008.