5 Things To Know About Joao Pedro Bueno Mendes Ahead Of ONE Fight Night 40
Brazilian submission grappling star Joao Pedro Bueno Mendes is eager to display his technical brilliance on ONE Championship’s global stage at ONE Fight Night 40: Buntan vs. Hemetsberger II on Prime Video.
The 28-year-old tactician will face one of the sport’s most dynamic athletes, Fabricio “Hokage” Andrey, in a 10-minute featherweight submission grappling showdown on Friday, February 13. The event will broadcast live in U.S. primetime from the iconic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Mendes’ methodical approach will be tested against Andrey’s high-octane submission-hunting repertoire, setting up a compelling stylistic clash. Here are five things to know about the Brazilian before his debut in the world’s largest martial arts organization.
#1 Jiu-Jitsu Helped Mendes Gain Confidence As A Child
Growing up in Curitiba, Brazil, Joao Pedro Bueno Mendes was small for his age and painfully shy around his peers. His parents recognized he needed an outlet to build confidence and life skills, and they found the answer in martial arts.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu transformed the meek child into a confident young man. The social aspect of training gave Mendes the tools to connect with others while building self-assurance on the mat.
His early career also brought financial struggles, with Mendes often relying on family, coaches, and teammates to fund travel and competition expenses. Despite those obstacles, his talent shone through, and today he stands as an inspiration for young grapplers facing similar tests.
#2 Mendes’ “Bisnaga” Nickname Has A Funny Origin
Mendes is more popularly known in the grappling world as “Bisnaga,” which roughly translates to “water gun” or “ointment tube” in Portuguese. The term refers to something small and pliable, perfectly describing the 28-year-old’s compact but capable frame.
That being said, “Bisnaga” also colloquially means “momma’s boy.” On his very first day of jiu-jitsu class, his father dropped him off and told the coach to “take good care of my Bisnaga.” The nickname stuck immediately, much to young Mendes’ dismay.
However, over time, the moniker grew on him. Today, he carries “Bisnaga” with pride each time he performs, transforming childhood embarrassment into a badge of honor.
#3 Mendes Defied The Odds At The IBJJF World Championships
Despite capturing five IBJJF World Championship titles as a colored belt, Joao Pedro Bueno Mendes entered black belt competition with something to prove.
A prior defeat left him with a low ranking entering the 2025 IBJJF World Championship tournament. The Brazilian was seeded at number 22 out of 23 athletes in the stacked featherweight division, setting the stage for an incredible underdog story.
Mendes thrived in that role. The Atos standout methodically worked his way through the bracket before upsetting top-seeded Meyram Maquiné in a tense final, where his immaculate spider guard earned him the gold medal via referee’s decision.
#4 Mendes Found A Home At Atos
Mendes had already built a distinguished competition career before fate brought him to the renowned Atos Jiu-Jitsu HQ.
The Brazilian originally planned a short training camp at the San Diego-based gym in 2016, but the fit was instant. He connected with Atos founder and head coach Andre Galvao’s technical approach and felt at home among the elite training partners. In the end, he made the big life decision to relocate to California.
By 2018, Mendes received his black belt from the legendary BJJ icon and has since become one of the most prominent representatives of the Atos lineage. The gym that was supposed to be a brief stop became his second home.
#5 Mendes Is Passionate About Kart Racing
When he’s not obsessively drilling on the mats, Joao Pedro Bueno Mendes can be found on the track pursuing his favorite hobby — kart racing.
The Brazilian has been fascinated by cars and motorsports since childhood and even maintains a sim racing setup at home to unwind after long training sessions. The high-speed precision required in kart racing mirrors his calculated approach on the mats, where split-second decisions determine victory.
That same focus and resilience will be on full display when Mendes faces Fabricio Andrey at ONE Fight Night 40 on February 13 — a chance to prove his cerebral style can stifle one of grappling’s most explosive athletes.
